Chief Philip Asiodu, at the helm of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation’s Board of Trustees, stresses the importance of adopting practical solutions to combat the projected rise in ocean levels in Lagos, which poses a substantial risk to coastal dwellers.
Asiodu delivered the call to action while speaking at his 90th birthday festivities, organized by the NCF and held in Lagos on Saturday evening.
Voicing apprehension regarding the imminent sea level increase, he implored the government to intervene promptly to prevent further escalation.
As per National Geographic, the uptick in worldwide sea levels is linked to the effects of climate change, notably driven by the burning of fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Experts have labeled this phenomenon as a grave menace to coastal communities worldwide. Ramifications encompass heightened severity of storm surges, inundation, and destruction of coastal regions. Consequently, inhabitants of these areas may face displacement, necessitating the search for alternative, safer habitats.
Asiodu said, “Lagos, as you know, is not very large in terms of land space and we have a lot of conservation challenges in Lagos and with the global warming and all.
“Lagos is endangered if the sea should rise as it is predicted and if we don’t do much to arrest the situation, about two million human beings will have to relocate.
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“We pray that enough is done but certain urgent things will have to be done in Lagos,” he said.
He expressed fear that if nothing drastic “is done to check the sea rise, Lekki might be under the sea in the next 10 years.”
He pointed out the submergence of multiple beaches as a result of coastal erosion and ineffective handling of environmental issues, emphasizing the need for a more practical and eco-friendly approach to policymaking on environmental matters.