News Article:
Sierra Leone's Nyangai Island is facing imminent danger as rising sea levels and extreme weather events caused by climate change are rapidly eroding the island's coastline. The once-thriving island, which was once a paradise for its inhabitants, is now being swallowed up by the relentless sea. The island's chief, Mustafa Kong, estimates that over the past two decades, the population has dramatically decreased from more than 500 homes to barely 70.

With nearly a third of its population living in coastal areas, Sierra Leone is identified as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change impacts, despite contributing only a small fraction of global CO2 emissions. The country's low GDP per capita further hinders its ability to respond effectively to these challenges.

Currently, Nyangai Island measures a mere 300 feet in length and 250 feet in width, compared to its previous size of 2,300 feet in length. The lush forests and sports fields that once adorned the island have been submerged by saltwater. The soccer field is now underwater for 22 hours a day, and what remains of the land has succumbed to the waves, including the family home of 62-year-old fisherman Kpana Charlie.

The islanders face constant flooding, leaving them with no proper defenses against the rising tides. Their makeshift homes of sticks and tarpaulin offer little protection. The increasing severity and frequency of storms, unpredictable rainfall, and strong winds have contributed to the rapid erosion of Nyangai Island. The situation has left Charlie and his fellow islanders in constant fear and uncertainty.

Sierra Leone lacks reliable data on sea level changes, but a 2017 USAID study revealed that parts of the country's coastline are receding at a rate of 13-to-20 feet per year. With global sea levels projected to rise by 1 to 3 feet by the end of the century, Nyangai Island serves as a poignant example of what may await many other low-lying areas worldwide.

Efforts to protect vulnerable settlements through mangrove restoration projects have been largely unsuccessful due to insufficient funds and reliance on mangrove wood for building and other purposes. The lack of resources and competing priorities also limit the ability of the national government to undertake costly engineering projects on remote islands like Nyangai.

For the remaining 400 islanders, life becomes increasingly challenging. The island's well has been contaminated with seawater, forcing residents to travel long distances to neighboring islands for drinking water. There is also a lack of privacy for basic necessities, forcing islanders to time their restroom visits according to the incoming tide. The absence of forests and sports fields leaves children with limited activities.

The future of Nyangai Island remains uncertain, with predictions ranging from its disappearance in as little as two years to the hope that parts of it may endure for several more years. The islanders, filled with a sense of fatalism, have resigned themselves to the fate of their beloved home, placing their trust in a higher power.

As climate change continues unchecked, the plight of Nyangai Island serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global action to mitigate its devastating impacts. Vulnerable countries like Sierra Leone require support from wealthier nations to strengthen their climate resilience and protect their communities from the ravages of a changing world.