Climate Adaptation in Africa and Sierra Leone’s Vanishing Island

Despite having the lowest per capita greenhouse gas emissions globally, Africa is one of the continents most severely impacted by climate change.

Vulnerable communities across the region are frequently helpless in the face of extreme weather events such as droughts and floods, leading to widespread famine and livelihood insecurity that wreak havoc on their lives.

Climate Impacts

The IPCC warns that Africa’s limited adaptive capacity amplifies the climate risks on the continent, even with global warming below 1.5°C. Rising temperatures will threaten food production, increase deaths from heat, and exacerbate the spread of infectious diseases.

As global temperatures rise to 1.5°C and 2°C, the severity of these risks will intensify. Food systems will bear the brunt, with crop yields for staples like maise, wheat, sorghum, coffee, and tea declining significantly. Marine catches, particularly in West Africa, will also diminish, putting millions at risk of nutritional deficiencies.

Additionally, tens of millions of people will face greater exposure to vector-borne diseases and increased heat-related fatalities.

Sierra Leone’s Vanishing Island

Nyangai, a small island about 100 kilometres south of Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, is rapidly disappearing into the sea due to coastal erosion. Over the past two decades, the waves have swallowed most of its land, leaving only around 400 residents behind, while the rest have been forced to leave.

The remaining inhabitants, unable to protect themselves from the encroaching waters, are left with a growing fear of whether any land will be left for them to live on in the coming year.

According to The Economist, over the past decade, Nyangai Island has shrunk from approximately 700 meters in length to just about 90 meters today. The rising waters have destroyed most of its mango and coconut trees. The remaining residents now live in a small cluster of regularly flooded homes. Despite the ongoing threats, they remain determined to stay.

The UN predicts that by 2050, climate change will force up to 113 million Africans, about 5% of the continent’s population, to flee their homes, many of whom will migrate to urban areas.

Climate Adaption in Africa

The UN estimates that climate adaptation in Africa will require between $30 billion and $50 billion annually over the next decade. However, African governments lack the necessary funds and largely rely on bilateral aid and support from multilateral organisations.

While climate adaptation efforts in Africa can help reduce potential risks, the IPCC’s review shows that some regions are implementing adaptation strategies. Still, they remain insufficient and mainly inadequate to address the continent’s significant climate challenges.

Several barriers, including technological and institutional obstacles, hinder these adaptations’ effectiveness and widespread adoption. About 92% of adaptation responses face low technological feasibility, while 71% struggle with low institutional feasibility. The IPCC and other studies emphasise that institutional responses are sporadic in Africa, with inadequate institutional capacities being a key limitation to effective climate adaptation.

Eventually, the residents of Nyangai Island will have no choice but to relocate to safer areas on the mainland. With funding scarce, there is little they can do to protect themselves. Paul Lamin, the deputy director of Sierra Leone’s Environmental Protection Agency, stated that the government is “monitoring the situation” and “raising awareness to ensure people understand their vulnerability.” However, he noted that no flood defences are currently planned for Nyangai (Sierra Leone, 2024).

The case of Nyangai Island exemplifies Africa’s growing vulnerability to climate change, where coastal erosion is forcing residents to confront the loss of their homes and livelihoods. Despite the continent’s minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, the impacts of climate change are devastating.

While climate adaptation is crucial, the resources needed for effective responses are insufficient, and technological and institutional barriers impede progress. Without significant investment in adaptation strategies and stronger institutional support, millions of Africans will remain at increasing risk of climate-related disasters, highlighting the urgent need for global cooperation and action to tackle these escalating challenges.