Nyangai, a small island off Sierra Leone, is severely impacted by climate change, with rising sea levels reducing its size from 700 to 90 meters. Many trees have been lost to coastal erosion, flooding increasingly affects dwellings, yet residents like Melvin Kargbo choose to stay, citing a lack of better options.

In Sierra Leone, the small island of Nyangai faces severe land loss as rising sea levels engulf its shores. Once stretching 700 meters, the island has diminished to just about 90 meters. Coastal erosion has led to the destruction of most of its mango and coconut trees, forcing the remaining residents to live in increasingly flood-prone conditions. Despite these challenges, locals like 35-year-old teacher Melvin Kargbo express a strong desire to remain on their ancestral land, believing there are no better alternatives elsewhere.

Nyangai island in Sierra Leone exemplifies the challenges posed by climate change as rising sea levels consume land and disrupt local livelihoods. Resident Melvin Kargbo’s attachment to the land highlights the complexities of displacement and adaptation in the face of environmental changes. The situation on Nyangai serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate action to protect vulnerable communities.

Original Source: www.economist.com