The Vulnerability of Eti-Osa and Ibeju-Lekki Coastal Communities in Lagos State Nigeria to Climate Change Hazards

Abstract

The rapid growth of population and infrastructure along the Lagos Coast present many challenges especially in the face of the current threats posed by climate change. The predominance of rural communities whose livelihoods are closely linked with climate- sensitive resources makes it imperative that the inhabitants understand, address and reduce their vulnerability to and adapt to the challenges of climate change.  This study therefore evaluated the vulnerability of communities in Ibeju-Lekki and Eti-Osa Local Government Areas to climate change in order to introduce effective climate change communication, mitigation and adaptation techniques. Distance from water bodies (sea, creeks and lagoons) and height above sea level were the major variables used to carry out a vulnerability analysis using digital terrain modelling. 50.5% and 49.4% of the 91 communities have very high levels of vulnerability with a total vulnerability index of 8.3 on a scale of 10 where 10 indicate the highest degree of vulnerability while the highest elevation in the area is 12metres above sea level. This calls for the urgent need for climate change communication that are place-specific and demographic appropriate.

Keywords:  Vulnerability, Coastal communities, Digital Terrain Modelling, Climate change communication.