Nigeria is a maritime state with an over 850km shoreline boarding the Atlantic Ocean. The coastal areas of Nigeria include fresh water zones, brackish water zones, swamps, mangroves, estuaries and its neritic waters. Nigerian coastal ecosystems stretch from its border with the Republic of Benin to its boundary with Cameroon, west and east respectively. Climate change is the long-term significant variation in expected patterns of average weather conditions of a specific region. These can also reflect abnormal differences. Temperature, precipitation, wind pattern, humidity, e.t.c. are parameters that are important in this regard.
Since the industrial revolution in Europe in the 1850’s, the earth has been continuously receiving high levels of pollutants including air borne/ atmospheric pollutants emitted by internal combustion engines using fossil fuels. Even today, direct and indirect, domestic and industrial pollutants are continually released into the earth’s delicate environment. These have deleterious implications to the complex but delicate coastal ecosystems and oceans of the world.
The ocean and our coastal waters are invaluable to the survival of our planet and species. For instance, the ocean is the biggest ecosystem in the world. It produces half of the oxygen in the atmosphere and contains 80% of the Earth’s living organisms. However, human activities are seriously having a negative impact on it and its functions and resources. The oceans provide sea food and livelihood for millions, medicine to treat diseases, shipping, energy, tourism and supports coastal economies worldwide. The oceans also provide and support new economic opportunities, climate stability, coastal habitats that reduce our risks from coastal storms and flooding. It is important to note that one third of the world population live in the coastal zone of the world and this comprises only 4% of the world’s land area.
For now, what is known is that in the coming years, ocean health will become increasingly stressed by rising sea water temperature, ocean acidification and ocean deoxygenation. These are largely due to the physics of high and increasing CO2 (Carbon IV Oxide) in the oceans arising from human activities.
Increasing greenhouse emissions to the atmosphere is also resulting in a number of harmful effects as well as deforestation. These include atmospheric temperature increase particularly near surface waters and coastal nutrient enrichment from pollution associated with land-based sources. These are leading to less ocean mixing due to increased stratification, run-offs and sea-ice melt. This leads to changes in biodiversity, marine food webs and productivity. The direct enormous effect of these impact on fisheries, loss of ecosystem services, threat to food security and coastal protection and tourism. These effects can also cause stressed hotspots in coastal areas.
It is important to note that ocean warming has a direct effect on the physiology of marine organisms and may therefore alter the geographic distribution of species including those that are commercially important. Presently, there are clear cases of decline in commercial fisheries worldwide. Fish and many other marine organisms depend on sufficient levels of oxygen to function. Many marine species are sensitive to changes in temperature, even slight temperature differences as low as 1oC or 2oC can be detrimental to the wellbeing and survival of certain species. Overfishing hitherto has led to depleted fish stocks and damaging fishing practices are also affecting our coastal areas and seas.
There is a need to reduce Carbon IV Oxide emissions NOW! We are “killing” our oceans and hence our world. Commitments from COP 21 and the Kyoto declaration, Rio and Johannesburg summits must be implemented fast to stem this negative trend and reality. We must monitor and regulate the discharge of waste that get into our coastal waters especially from our industries. These can be achieved by strict enforcement of already existing rules, enlightenment of all stake holders especially coastal dwellers and the quest for more research into the effect of human activities on the marine ecosystem. Studies on habitat restoration and clean ups must be encouraged, sustained and given the necessary push. Marine protected Areas, including Marine Conservation Zones form one of the most crucial ways and means for conserving marine / coastal biodiversity. We must all come together to save our world, coastal environments and the ocean. The fight must begin strongly. People need the ocean. Saving the ocean is saving the world. We must start seriously now!
Charles Onyema
