Sea Level Rise and Climate Change – Impacts on African Coastal Systems and Cities

Coastal zones are more densely populated and of great ecological and economic significance. The potential implications of climate change are greatest in areas with dense populations and associated economic activities, such as low-lying coastal cities. Few, if any, African coastal cities are prepared to deal with the impacts of climate change, particularly sea level rise and storm events. African coastal cities are characterized by rapid and unplanned growth, high population concentrations, and overburdened infrastructure, all of which will influence the extent of any possible consequences caused by changes in extreme water levels in the twenty-first century. Most of the African coastal cities currently face significant threats from direct and indirect impacts of climate variability and change. Despite these threats, few coastal cities have been assessed for potential coastal impacts. Sea level rise threatens infrastructure, coastal agriculture, key ecosystems and fisheries at risk. Concern about all these effects of the changing climate and rising sea levels is apparent. This chapter, therefore, provides a broader understanding of the potential hazards and anticipated impacts on most African coastal systems and cities based on physical exposure and socio-economic vulnerability to climate extremes and sea level rise.