Banjul Faces Dire Future Amid Rising Sea Levels and Climate Change

Banjul, The Gambia, faces the threat of becoming an underwater ghost town due to rising sea levels exacerbated by climate change. A severe storm in 2022 has shown the vulnerability of the city, with significant flooding impacting over 50,000 residents. As many leave the city, initiatives like the Climate-Resilient Banjul project and environmental restoration efforts offer a glimmer of hope for the future, although extensive action is needed to combat this crisis effectively.

A city in West Africa is precariously close to transformation into an underwater ghost town due to the escalating sea levels driven by climate change. The rapid rise in temperatures since the era of industrialism in the 1800s, as noted by NASA, has significantly contributed to this predicament, endangering cities like Banjul, The Gambia. The repercussions are already evident; in July 2022, a devastating storm brought over 10 inches of rain in just 20 hours, affecting more than 50,000 residents through severe flash floods, as reported by The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The implications of rising sea levels are dire for Banjul. According to James F.P. Gomez, The Gambia’s minister of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, Greater Banjul could be completely submerged if sea levels rise by as little as one meter. The city’s historical low-lying nature, combined with the detrimental effects of commercial sand mining, has compromised its natural defenses, exacerbating the residents’ concerns over their survival and livelihoods.

As the impacts of climate change continue to unfold, many residents have already fled Banjul. From a population of approximately 45,000 in 1983, the city is projected to have only around 26,000 inhabitants by 2024. A study conducted by Nfamara K. Dampha reveals that around 64% of the present population intends to leave by 2050, indicating a growing urgency among residents to escape the deteriorating conditions.

Nonetheless, there are initiatives aimed at preserving Banjul’s future. In November 2024, The Gambia secured $12 million from the Global Environment Facility for the Climate-Resilient Banjul project, which aims to implement transformative changes on a landscape level. Moreover, EU-funded projects like City-link Ostend Banjul are focused on planting thousands of coconut trees and vegetation along the coast, thereby strengthening Banjul’s natural defenses against rising seas.

Banjul’s plight parallels challenges faced by various cities globally, such as properties in British Columbia, Canada, which are also at risk of being submerged. To combat climate change effectively, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and transitioning to cleaner, renewable energy sources is critical. Collective efforts at individual and community levels can help mitigate the looming crisis and prevent further environmental degradation.

The situation in Banjul underscores the urgent need to address climate change, particularly as rising sea levels threaten the city’s existence. With projects in place aiming to enhance the city’s resilience and preserve its ecosystem, there is hope for the future. However, the continuing trend of population decline reflects a broader challenge that requires immediate and sustained action to avert an impending crisis, both locally and globally.

Original Source: www.thecooldown.com