Assessing The Effects Of Climate Change On Sea Level Rise Along The Gulf Of Guinea

Abstract

The sea level is rising due to global warming in response, by and large, to anthropogenic activities. Coastal communities along the Gulf of Guinea are low lying which makes them more vulnerable to rising sea level. Due to the topography of the Gulf of Guinea, the coastal belt is a highly erosive sandy barrier system that is susceptible to flooding. In West Africa, highly productive ecosystem like mangroves, estuaries, and deltas, that form the vital socio economic activities like trade, tourism, fisheries and industrial growth due to the oil and gas development are found in these coastal communities. Therefore, majority of the population in West Africa who live in these mega cities along the coast face possible threats. Thus, climate adaptation is the only option to address these future threats as reduction in the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other green house gases is not enough for now to prevent global warming which leads to sea level rise. Thus, this study seeks to investigate from other research works, how sea level rise has affected these coastal communities along the Gulf of Guinea and how the communities are adapting to these challenges to new ways of living. It concludes with a recommendation on a climate change based framework.