Africa and Gulf of Guinea
90,000 to 2,50,000 tonnes
of trash enter the oceans that surrounds the Kwazulu-Natal’s beaches in South Africa
40 million litres of oil
are spilled every year across the Niger Delta in West Africa
As an environmental consultant, I frequently visit the coast to audit businesses. Through this, I've had a chance to interview their stakeholders which include fishermen, suppliers and eateries. They have shared first hand experiences of how ocean warming has compromised breeding cycles of fish leading to reduced catches for sale and local consumption. This only makes it clear how climate change has not only jeopardized ocean health, but also negatively impacted the socio-economic well-being of coastal communities. Efforts of curbing climate change will not only ensure we accelerate the path towards net zero emissions by 2050 but also build a healthy ocean that strengthens climate regulation, food security and economic growth.
Esther
Member
Multiple causes contribute to Ocean Pollution in Africa and Gulf of Guinea
Ocean
Acidification
Research shows that ocean acidification is growing rapidly in many African countries. This would not only impact the aquatic life but also adversely affect the marine communities and their livelihood.
Industrial
Wastewater
Discharge
Industrial untreated wastewater is
dumped into the ocean which leads to
contamination.
Plastic
Pollution
The main drivers of plastic pollution are rapid population growth and poor waste management practices.
Oil
Pollution
The Niger delta in West Africa is home to many petroleum industry and there have been reports of numerous oil spills in the region.
