This phenomenon, driven by global warming, is reshaping coastlines and threatening coastal communities around the world.
The consequences of rising sea levels extend beyond environmental impacts – it affects economies, infrastructure, livelihoods, and social structures among other things.
Understanding these changes is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate and adapt to their effects.
Anlo Beach, a fishing community in the Shama District of the Western Region, is one of the coastal areas facing the brunt of rise in sea levels.
About 1,000 houses, representing about 90 per cent of buildings, have recently been hit by strong tidal waves.
The perennial occurrence has left residents traumatised that the rampaging tidal waves, which for decades have ravaged the area, are swiftly eroding their homes and livelihoods, while the community runs into the ocean bed.
They have expressed the fear that with the perennial surge of the tidal waves, Anlo Beach community may soon collapse.
Understanding climate change
The United Nations (UN) defines climate change as a long-term shift in temperatures and weather patterns.
It is primarily caused by both natural processes and human activities. However, the current trend of climate change is caused by human activities.
Some of these activities include greenhouse gas emissions, that is, burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas for energy and transportation that release significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Others are deforestation, industrial activities, and urbanization, among others.
Climate change and rise in sea levels
Scientists say the rise in sea level was driven by two primary factors related to climate change: thermal expansion and the melting of ice.
Thermal Expansion: As global temperatures rise, ocean waters absorb heat and expand and contribute significantly to sea level rise.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a UN organisation that provides scientific assessments on climate change, thermal expansion has contributed about 40 per cent of the observed sea level rise since 1970.
Melting Ice: The melting of glaciers and ice sheets from Greenland and Antarctica adds fresh water to the oceans due to warmer temperatures.
Recent studies have shown that sea levels are rising at an average rate of 3.4 millimetres per year, nearly double the rate recorded in the early 20th century.
Experts project that if greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current rate, sea levels could rise by one to four feet by 2100, with potentially catastrophic impacts on coastal regions.
Impacts on coastal communities
Coastal communities are on the front lines of this crisis caused by rising sea levels. The most immediate impacts include increased flooding during high tides and storm surges.
Mr Samuel Borlu, the Assembly Member for the Anlo Beach, in an interview said many homes have been swept away by the tidal waves, displacing many residents, and leaving them without a place to sleep.
Describing how dire the situation is, he said the Anlo Beach tidal waves began hitting the community in 1995-1996, but intensified in 2017-2018, destroying about 500 houses.
He narrated that: “The erosion of lands at the village through tidal waves activities started two decades ago, and gradually became severe. Till date, 500 to about 1,000 houses are affected and this has brought immense distress through the loss of livelihoods and loss of homes.”
He mentioned that some of the displaced community members are forced to lodge with friends and relatives, while others seek shelter in classrooms, with the rest having to relocate to other places.
Mr Borlu said: “The impact is enormous, as our community relies heavily on fishing, and the erosion of our fishing shoreline is now making it difficult for residents to cast their nets and pull them ashore. The livelihoods of our people are under serious threat.
“If the problem is not solved in a short period of time, the severity of the waves and the rate of erosion being experienced may lead to the total collapse of the settlement.”
Mr Michael Nyan, the Shama District Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), speaking on the situation at Anlo Beach, said it had been a cycle over the years, occurring mostly in June, July, and August, each annually.
He also said so many buildings including schools had been destroyed and that some people had relocated to other communities.
Just like the Anlo Beach, rising sea levels are having catastrophic and multifaceted effects on coastal communities around the globe.
Addressing the challenges of rising sea levels in coastal communities
Dr Jacob Dapilah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Salma AI-TRAINING and EcoSolutions, an organisation focused on environmental sustainability using Artificial Intelligence (AI), told the Ghana News Agency that addressing the challenges of rising sea levels requires a combination of mitigation, adaptation, and resilience-building efforts to tackle the root cause of climate change.
On the mitigation efforts, he said reducing greenhouse gas emissions was critical to slowing sea level rise. Governments must put in place strategic measures to transition to renewable energy sources and improve energy efficiency.
“For adaptation strategies, we should invest in adaptation measures to protect coastal communities from the effects of rising sea level,” he said.
These strategies, he said, included constructing sea defence walls and flood barriers, elevating buildings, and infrastructure, and restoring natural habitats like wetlands and mangroves, which provide natural flood protection.
On building resilience, Dr Dapilah noted that stakeholders must enhance communities’ resilience by preparing them for the impacts of sea level rise through comprehensive planning and engagement.
“This includes developing robust emergency response plans, improving early warning systems, and fostering public awareness and education about climate risks,” he added.
Conclusion
The rise in sea levels is a visible effect of climate change, so as coastlines continue to shift and communities face devastating challenges, it is imperative for governments, businesses, and individuals to take decisive action.
By combining mitigation efforts to address the root causes of climate change with adaptation strategies to manage its effects, all relevant bodies can work towards safeguarding coastal areas and building a more resilient future for all.
Way forward
Government institutions at all levels, from national, regional, and local have a crucial role in both mitigation and adaptation strategies.
There is the need for them to implement policies such as the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and others that seek to reduce emissions, invest in research and development for modern technologies, and decrease vulnerability of communities.
GNA
