Gambia: Experts: Sea level rise of 1 meter will sink 10% of land in Banjul

By Momodou Jawo

“Experts predict that sea level rise of 1 meter will submerge close to 10 percent of the total land area, including the capital city of Banjul, hotels and built infrastructures,” James F. Gomez [Minister of Fisheries and Water Resources] disclosed.

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The combined effect of sea-level rise, he added, and changes in upstream river discharge, erosion of coastal embankments and changes to natural sediment dynamics, pose a serious threat to the natural resource base and livelihood opportunities of coastal and riverine communities.

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“The Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate Services) of the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET) and particularly the adoption of the Cairo declaration would provide opportunities to hopefully enhance national capacities and bridge resource gaps for institutions that should support the production of tailor-made weather and climate information.”

Furthermore, for the Gambia to effectively deal with weather and climate change issues, accelerated financial, capacity building and technological support is urgently needed to enhance our mitigation and adaptation efforts,” he said. “The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Government of The Gambia Financed Strengthening Climate Services and Early Warning Systems Phase II Project have enhanced the Country’s capacity in this regard.”