THE CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT(CECD)

 ISSUES ON GLOBAL WARMING AND RISES IN THE SEA LEVEL

It is the consensus opinion from scientist that the atmospheric concentration of some gases such as carbon-dioxide, Co2 clorofloro carbon, methane, nitrous oxide, has been responsible for 50% of the green house effect that is changing the climatic zones worldwide.

Because of natural variations in climate, it is difficult to measure warming over large areas. Scientist agreed, however, that increases in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases will cause higher temperatures worldwide. Even an increase of a few degrees might cause serious melting of the polar icecaps, a gradual rise in sea level, a disruption in normal weather patterns, possible increase in forest fires, and the extinction of species.

A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report say the 10 warmest years was recorded in the past 15 years, with 2005 and 1988 as the warmest. The warmer temperature are expected to cause other problems, snow cover in the northern hemisphere has been decreasing. About 3,250 square kilometre ice shelf in Antarctica wasrepored to have collapsed in early 2002. Sea level could rise significantly in this century.

Since the third of the world population lives near the sea this could eventually result in loss of homes and farmlands. Scientist also predicted that higher temperatures will result in higher precipitation; with a greater frequency of weather events such as storms that are ravage the world today. Others also believe that climate changes will result in the spread of diseases such as malaria, dengue and cholera.

Though, issue of global warming and rises in the sea level has been subjected to scientific discussion and public debate for the past three decades. In deed it is well recognized that human factor has become very significant in the balance of forces that determine the earth’s climate events
According to Professor Olukayode Ojo,a professor geography, the atmospheric concentration of green house gases have grown significantly since 19th century, for instance he say Co2 have increase from about 280 to almost 360 ppmv3, CH4 from 700 to 1720 ppbv and N2o from about 275 to 310 ppbv ''

EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON NIGER DELTA

No matter the level of the uncertainties in the knowledge of the characteristics and future trends of global warming; the sea level rise will have significant problems worldwide, and desertification would compound the serious problems of sustainability of our environment and the management of our natural resources, the climate change and sea level rise will threaten the coastal Zones and low lying setlements of Niger Delta which are already constantly plagued by floods and erosion.

As noted by Prof. Ojo et al (2001) with sea level rise of one metre for example, inundation in the Niger Delta may render 15, 000km2 of land at risk, while soil erosion may claim more than 300 km2. According to Prof Ojo Alukayode the Dean faculty of social sciences, Lagos State University, ''with 1.0 metre sea level rises it risk about 2 to 3 million people that could be displaced in the Niger Delta.''

It has been estimated that along the coast line of the Niger Delta alone, 110 villages with value of 35 million US dollars, and about 550 villages with values of 175 million us dollars would be impacted with an eventual sea level rise of about 0.2m and 1.0m respectively. According to experts, part of Port Harcourt municipality, Bonny, Okirika, Degeme Sagbama, Ogbia, Yenagoa, Brass, Nembe Warri, Koko, Agadagba Gelegele, Ayetoro, Marihin and many other coasted towns of the Niger Delta many be inundated