No, the submergence of the islands in Boffa is not the direct consequence of the increasing urbanization of the coastline

Several residents of coastal areas affected by rising waters claim that the construction of buildings on the coasts, particularly in Kaloum, is the cause of this phenomenon which is swallowing up their land. This same opinion is shared by certain journalists who relay this information in their articles dealing with coastal erosion, leaving room for misinformation..

Conakry, this Guinean capital which emerges in the Atlantic Ocean arouses the desire of the rich. For several years, its coastline has continued to be attacked by the construction of infrastructure, particularly buildings. This necessarily requires the filling of the seafront, which in one way or another pushes back the sea. This state of affairs is quite often attributed as responsible for the rising water levels, causing irreversible damage to island communities and those living in coastal areas, compromising their livelihoods, particularly in Kitikata in Boffa prefecture and Kaback in Forécariah prefecture.

Many of them affirm that the anarchic occupation of the coastline, that is to say the filling of the coasts for the construction of buildings, constitutes the cause of the disappearance of their lands caused by the rising waters. A statement that we have often heard in private from them during our field visits when they try to explain the origin of the phenomenon of rising water levels that they are facing.

This can also be read in the press. For example, in an article https://guineenews.org/occupation-anarchique-des-bords-de-mers-plusieurs-iles-et-villages-risquent-de-disparaitre-a-boffa/ published on July 7, 2020 by the guineenews information site, the head of the central port of Boffa affirms that the invasion of their islands is caused by anarchic construction at the seaside in large cities, as well as the destruction of the mangrove.

In another article https://guineenews.org/submersion-erosion-inondation-le-drame-des-habitants-de-lile-kabak/ published on July 24, 2023 by the same information site, we can read this: He and all the other inhabitants of the area point their accusing finger at « the anarchic occupation of the seafront in Conakry » which, according to them, new constructions along the seaside in the capital are causing sea pressure on the island.

We also find these same assertions exploited by journalists in their articles on coastal erosion or the anarchic occupation of the coastline.

For example, in an article on the anarchic occupation of the coast https://guineematin.com/2020/12/01/occupation-anarchique-du-littoral-lamine-sidibe-accuse-les-chefs-de-quartiers-et-cie/ published on December 1, 2020 by the information site Guineematin.com, the editor of this article concludes as follows: Note that in addition to seriously threatening Guinea's fishing resources, uncontrolled construction on the coast also often causes flooding in certain places in Conakry and its surroundings, notably on the island of Kabak, which is today threatened with disappearance. And, if nothing is done to find a solution to this problem, indicate our interlocutors, the consequences are likely to be more unfortunate in the coming years.

Speaking of the rising waters in Kaback, another journalist from the same site, in an article published on July 23, 2016, concludes as follows: It appears that the occupation of maritime areas by embankment and the construction of buildings, is more than ever the most serious threat to the islands and peninsulas along the 300 km of the Guinean coast, from Forécariah in the South, to Boké in the North via Dubréka and Boffa.

But be careful: we sought to question scientists to find out more about the origin of the rising water levels.

All scientists agree that rising sea levels or rising sea levels are a consequence of the phenomenon of climate change., “notably the melting of glaciers and the thermal expansion of marine waters. These construction works can still worsen the phenomenon », underlines Michael Dieng, doctoral student at the Center for Environmental Study and Research.

“This rise in water levels can be caused by two main phenomena, the phenomenon of water expansion, that is to say when the water increases in temperature, it increases in volume. Today we are witnessing the phenomenon of global warming, this phenomenon therefore warms the oceans which can therefore expand. The other aspect which is also verified and demonstrated by the experts is that this melting of the glacier simply leads to a rise in the sea. This rise in the sea is simply manifested by a visible phenomenon, the sea will gain space on the beaches, sometimes causing displacement. So it’s a phenomenon that is there, which is justified by this climate change», explains Dr Abdoulaye Fall, expert in environmental protection.

The increase in the volume of water leads to climatic disturbances according to oceanographer Professor Kandè Bangoura. “Climate disruption leads to changes in water properties (salinity and ocean temperature), influencing wind movements in the atmosphere following the increase in water volume. The dynamic results in an intensification of extreme weather phenomena, such as hurricanes, storms. Note also that this climate change is manifested by an increase in the rise in the level of the usual tides which submerge low-lying coastal areas. This situation represents a serious threat to the populations and fragile ecosystems of this region” he emphasizes.

All this is therefore due to human activity, because it is greenhouse gas emissions which are at the origin of climate change, also leading to rising water levels.

On the other hand, Uncontrolled construction on the coast can still encourage flooding phenomena when construction is carried out in flood-prone areas or in rainwater evacuation areas (stream beds or evacuation canals, etc.), in rainwater retention basins such as marshes, and depression zones, among others. Construction that does not respect the area’s urban plan encourages flooding.

Already, the expression anarchic constructions denotes non-compliance with development plans and consequently, they increase the risks of insecurity including the case of flooding.

Verdict:

Although one might think that construction and occupation of maritime areas through embankments are the main causes of rising sea levels, science reveals a more complex reality. Scientifically, these developments and occupation of the coastline are not the cause of this phenomenon in coastal regions such as Kitikata or Kaback. The observed rise in water levels is primarily the result of global climate change. The process of natural thermal expansion of the oceans, combined with the growing increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions warming the atmosphere, is the real driver of sea level rise impacting our coastal areas.

This report is produced as part of the Terra Africa Project led by CFI Media.

Ibrahima Sory Bah