Urgent Climate Alert: Niger Delta Coastal Communities at Risk of Vanishing by 2050

Environmental experts are sounding the alarm about the future of coastal communities in Rivers State and the Niger Delta. If immediate action isn’t taken, many of these areas could be underwater by 2050 due to climate change.

At a recent workshop in Port Harcourt organized by Academic Associates Peace Works (AAPW) and supported by the European Union, Chief Dr. Judith Burdin Asuni addressed the alarming effects of rising sea levels and flooding. She noted these changes are causing people to leave their homes, leading to intense competition over limited resources.

Participants also pointed out that the rising tide is displacing communities, which in turn sparks land disputes and heightens tension among neighbors. Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, Deputy Director of AAPW, stressed the need for stronger enforcement of environmental laws to combat issues like land encroachment and biodiversity loss.

“The coastal region is a delicate ecosystem facing multiple threats, particularly from climate change,” Toyo said. She highlighted that pollution from unregulated oil companies has exacerbated local problems, including the visible black soot in Port Harcourt.

Toyo emphasized the need to connect environmental degradation with increasing migration and resource scarcity. “When people are displaced, conflicts arise. We must tackle the root of these problems by addressing environmental issues,” she explained.

The workshop also explored how the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) can be used to help build infrastructure that protects vulnerable communities from flooding. Nimi Elele, from the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, echoed these sentiments, warning that without urgent action, entire communities may disappear.

“Rising sea levels result in significant flooding, destroying homes and pushing families further inland, raising social risks such as child exploitation,” Elele added. She mentioned that decreased fishing yields are driving many coastal residents into poverty.

Those attending the workshop, including representatives from nearby states like Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom, called for immediate government action. They want stronger public awareness campaigns to inform residents about climate change and advocate for sustainable practices to secure a better future for their communities.

In a world increasingly affected by climate change, the message is clear: we must act now to protect our fragile ecosystems.



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