Gambia: Banjul Risks Sinking As Sea Level Rises
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Gambia is regarded as one of the most rising-sea-level-threatened countries in Africa. 70% of its border is coastline, with the majority of its major cities sitting on that coastline.
As sea levels rise by one metre, Gambia's megacity, Banjul, risks losing at least 60% of its mangrove forests as well as settlements and more than 30% of it's total natural areas. Rising sea-levels will also have a profound effect on eco-systems among the mangroves and on higher land. The low-lying coastal nation risks losing it's rice industry and consequent residents. Gambia's major economic contributer is their tourism industry. Since many of its touristic sites exist near to the coastline, they are threatened by the rising seas and consequently endanger Gambia's economy. As Gambia receives over 100 000 tourists each year, this significant drop in numbers would cause a downfall in their economy and a significant impact on the country's stability. Additionally, the rising seas have developed an inbalance in the soil salinity which consequently affects the amount of arable land. The water salinisation systems are also being compromised due to need for shifts in the city areas (i.e. moving further away from the coastlines in order to delay the process as well as developing water management systems to further delay the progress of the issue). This 42 000-person nation risks losing the entire city of Banjul within the next 50 years.
These significant effects will prove a major destabilisation in both Gambia's human and natural environment, consequently threatening it's existence as a nation if no plans are taken into action.
As sea levels rise by one metre, Gambia's megacity, Banjul, risks losing at least 60% of its mangrove forests as well as settlements and more than 30% of it's total natural areas. Rising sea-levels will also have a profound effect on eco-systems among the mangroves and on higher land. The low-lying coastal nation risks losing it's rice industry and consequent residents. Gambia's major economic contributer is their tourism industry. Since many of its touristic sites exist near to the coastline, they are threatened by the rising seas and consequently endanger Gambia's economy. As Gambia receives over 100 000 tourists each year, this significant drop in numbers would cause a downfall in their economy and a significant impact on the country's stability. Additionally, the rising seas have developed an inbalance in the soil salinity which consequently affects the amount of arable land. The water salinisation systems are also being compromised due to need for shifts in the city areas (i.e. moving further away from the coastlines in order to delay the process as well as developing water management systems to further delay the progress of the issue). This 42 000-person nation risks losing the entire city of Banjul within the next 50 years.
These significant effects will prove a major destabilisation in both Gambia's human and natural environment, consequently threatening it's existence as a nation if no plans are taken into action.