Chief Philip Asiodu, the President of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, has advocated for practical measures to curb the anticipated rise in sea level in Lagos, which may have an impact on a large number of individuals residing in coastal areas.

Asiodu made the plea on Saturday night in Lagos following his speech at the NCF-organized celebration of his 90th birthday.

He called on the government to intervene, expressing concern over the rising sea level.

The combustion of oil and gas is one of the main drivers of global warming, according to National Geographic, as it releases carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. This is why ocean levels are rising worldwide.

Globally, coastal life has been said to be seriously threatened by this. Increased storm surge intensity, flooding, and damage to coastal areas are some of the consequences. Residents along the coast can be uprooted and forced to look for safer housing.

Asiodu said, “Lagos, as you know, is not very large in terms of land space and we have a lot of conservation challenges in Lagos and with the global warming and all.

“Lagos is endangered if the sea should rise as it is predicted and if we don’t do much to arrest the situation, about two million human beings will have to relocate.

“We pray that enough is done but certain urgent things will have to be done in Lagos,” he said.

He expressed fear that if nothing drastic “is done to check the sea rise, Lekki might be under the sea in the next 10 years.”

He called for a more practical and sympathetic attitude on environmental affairs, pointing out that many beaches had disappeared under the sea as a result of coastal erosion and inadequate management of climate change.