Saida Idris, a resident of Kipini village on the Kenyan coast, shares her firsthand experience of devastating coastal erosion that has already consumed 10 kilometers of land and displaced thousands. She discusses the urgent need for protective measures and community resilience in the face of rising sea levels. Conservationist George Odera adds insights on the economic fallout for local businesses and fishing practices. The conversation highlights the need for informed investments and effective adaptation strategies to combat this pressing environmental crisis.
Coastal erosion threatens the livelihoods of communities along Africa's coastlines, with predictions of losing up to 60% of coastal land in 50 years.
Local residents advocate for urgent adaptation strategies and government policies to combat the impact of rising sea levels on their communities.
Deep dives
The Threat of Coastal Erosion
Coastal erosion is becoming a critical concern for many communities along Africa's coastlines, impacted heavily by rising sea levels due to climate change. Predictions indicate that up to 60% of coastal land along the Mediterranean and West African coasts could be lost in the next 50 years. The situation is dire for places like Kipini in Kenya, where over a decade, homes and businesses have been swallowed by the Indian Ocean, displacing thousands and disrupting local economies that heavily rely on fishing and tourism. As the sea encroaches, communities find their livelihoods threatened, leading to calls for urgent action to combat this relentless advance.
Community Resilience Amidst Challenges
Residents of Kipini share their harrowing experiences with erosion, highlighting the tangible losses faced by families and businesses. Saida Idris, a local fishmonger, described the encroachment on their land as a growing fear, revealing that historical fertile areas have turned to saltwater, making agriculture no longer viable. Moreover, the closure of hotels due to flooding has resulted in significant job losses, impacting not only the fishermen but other small business owners who relied on the tourist influx for income. These testimonies underscore the urgent need for protective measures to preserve the community's way of life.
Proposed Solutions and Future Outlook
Experts suggest a mix of adaptation strategies to tackle the coastal erosion crisis, emphasizing the construction of defensive walls as one potential solution, albeit a costly one. The challenge lies in balancing effective protection with sustainable financing, particularly in developing regions like Kenya, which often lack the resources to undertake extensive measures. Furthermore, both local leadership and international bodies are encouraged to invest in studies to understand coastal phenomena better and devise appropriate interventions. As climate shifts continue to accelerate, residents must adapt while advocating for government policies that safeguard their communities against imminent threats.
“Within just five years we lost almost 20 metres of the shoreline and it does not seem to be slowing with time.”
Climate experts say up to 60% of Africa’s coastal land could disappear within the next 50 years due to coastal erosion resulting from sea-level rise.
In this episode of Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja discusses the impact of this on coastal communities, and what they need to do to avert the worst possible scenarios.
He speaks to Saida Idris, a resident of Kipini village on the Kenyan coast where 10 kilometres of dry land have been lost to the sea and a thousand people forced to relocate over the last decade.
Conservationist George Odera, who witnessed the changes as they unfolded in Kipini for over a decade, shares expert opinion.
And International development consultant and former Principal Environmentalist at the African Development Bank, Dr Hany Shalaby, gives an overview of how coastal erosion is manifesting along the Mediterranean shorelines in North Africa and on the seven thousand kilometre-long West African coastline.
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