Post by Andrei Tchentchik on Mar 1, 2020 14:29:28 GMT 2
(.#A.044).- Oceans and climate change, Africa, Sept. 25, 2019.
Oceans and climate change: Africa's triple punishment.
Fishermen in Thiaroye-sur-mer, Senegal, June 19, 2008.
© (Photo: Coumba Sylla / RFI)
By RFI
Posted on 25-09-2019
The findings of the latest report of the International Panel of Climate Experts (GIEC) on the oceans and terrestrial frozen areas are disturbing. Pollution is destroying the seas and oceans more seriously and faster than expected. Whether cyclones, rising sea levels or ocean acidification: all indicators are red. On the African continent, the consequences are very concrete, especially for fishermen.
According to the latest report of the International Panel of Climate Experts (GIEC), due to ocean acidification, Africa is going to experience a significant decline in fish food, phytoplankton, in tropical waters. This will have an impact on fish stocks that could decrease by almost 40%, according to specialists. The fish will look for more favorable conditions by migrating north, which will be a problem for fishermen and all those who eat fish.
According to Ludovic Frère-Escoffier, in charge of the "Life of the Oceans" program for WWF France, this significant drop in fish stocks will destabilize the economy of the coastal countries of Africa, all the more, as he recalls, that certain regions already suffer from overfishing, whether because of the illegal exploitation of the oceans by rich countries, but also because there are finally too many small fishermen.
Rising sea level
It is therefore the triple penalty for these coastal countries of Africa, especially if we add other problems related to climate change such as sea level rise that could be close to one meter if warming climatic temperature exceeds 3 ° C.
The rise of the sea has multiple consequences. The groundwater becomes unusable for irrigation, because the water becomes salty. Whole areas will become uninhabitable. And since much of Africa's coastline is made of sand, these shores are very vulnerable.
Climate change is also leading to an increase in ocean heat waves that could be multiplied by fifty, leading to disasters such as cyclones and hurricanes.
F I N .
Oceans and climate change: Africa's triple punishment.
Fishermen in Thiaroye-sur-mer, Senegal, June 19, 2008.
© (Photo: Coumba Sylla / RFI)
By RFI
Posted on 25-09-2019
The findings of the latest report of the International Panel of Climate Experts (GIEC) on the oceans and terrestrial frozen areas are disturbing. Pollution is destroying the seas and oceans more seriously and faster than expected. Whether cyclones, rising sea levels or ocean acidification: all indicators are red. On the African continent, the consequences are very concrete, especially for fishermen.
According to the latest report of the International Panel of Climate Experts (GIEC), due to ocean acidification, Africa is going to experience a significant decline in fish food, phytoplankton, in tropical waters. This will have an impact on fish stocks that could decrease by almost 40%, according to specialists. The fish will look for more favorable conditions by migrating north, which will be a problem for fishermen and all those who eat fish.
According to Ludovic Frère-Escoffier, in charge of the "Life of the Oceans" program for WWF France, this significant drop in fish stocks will destabilize the economy of the coastal countries of Africa, all the more, as he recalls, that certain regions already suffer from overfishing, whether because of the illegal exploitation of the oceans by rich countries, but also because there are finally too many small fishermen.
Rising sea level
It is therefore the triple penalty for these coastal countries of Africa, especially if we add other problems related to climate change such as sea level rise that could be close to one meter if warming climatic temperature exceeds 3 ° C.
The rise of the sea has multiple consequences. The groundwater becomes unusable for irrigation, because the water becomes salty. Whole areas will become uninhabitable. And since much of Africa's coastline is made of sand, these shores are very vulnerable.
Climate change is also leading to an increase in ocean heat waves that could be multiplied by fifty, leading to disasters such as cyclones and hurricanes.
F I N .
