Environmental experts warned that without urgent action, entire communities in the Niger Delta could face submersion by 2050 due to climate change, with rising sea levels threatening the very existence of coastal areas.

The workshop participants noted that flooding damages infrastructure and forces migration, which exacerbates social risks and pushes coastal dwellers into poverty and hunger.

Mrs. Nimi Elele from the Rivers State Ministry of Environment emphasized that the decline in fishing yields has pushed many coastal residents into poverty, warning of dire social consequences such as increased violence and abuse.

Nkoyo Toyo, Deputy Director of AAPW, linked environmental degradation to migration and resource scarcity, asserting that these factors heighten the risk of violent conflict in the region.

Toyo criticized the unregulated practices of oil companies and Nigeria's failure to enforce environmental standards, citing pollution in Port Harcourt as a critical issue contributing to environmental degradation.

During a recent workshop in Port Harcourt, Dr. Judith Burdin Asuni, Executive Director of Academic Associates Peace Works (AAPW), highlighted the severe impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels and flooding, which have led to displacement and increased competition for resources.

She called for urgent enforcement of environmental laws to combat issues like land encroachment and climate-induced migration, which threaten the fragile coastal ecosystem.

The workshop also discussed the potential of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to support infrastructure development aimed at protecting vulnerable communities from climate impacts.

Participants from various Niger Delta states urged the government to take immediate action to address pressing environmental and social challenges, advocating for stronger public awareness campaigns on climate change.

Despite the importance of traditional conservation practices in protecting local ecosystems, these initiatives are being undermined by external actors.

Toyo advocated for a collaborative approach involving community leaders, policymakers, and security agencies to effectively tackle these environmental issues.

The workshop emphasized that climate change has caused significant displacements in host communities, leading to land disputes and heightened communal tensions.