Much of the Makoko neighbourhood is not built on land, but rather sits on stilts above the waterline. There is one part of Lagos that has extensive experience of dealing with high water. How, in the face of flooding, blocked streets and rising waters, is Africa's most populous city adapting? If global warming exceeds 2C, the city is predicted to see 90cm of sea level rise by 2100, according to research led by marine physicist Svetlana Jevrejeva, of the UK's National Oceanography Centre. Meanwhile, the low-lying city is also particularly vulnerable to water from another source: rising seas. While the overall climate in Lagos is expected to see less rainfall overall with climate change, the intensity of rain is expected to increase, bringing with it greater risk of flooding. "It makes me anxious." On one occasion when taking a taxi through a waterlogging-prone part of the city, she recalls the water gushing right into the back seat next to her.
“I worry when it rains, especially when it is heavy,” says Lagos resident Stephanie Erigha. After a downpour, rubbish piles up in open gutters and makes moving around the streets difficult. The streets are often flooded, in part due to the dysfunctional disposal of the 6,000-10,000 tonnes of rubbish generated daily in the city. But that rapid growth creates pressure on the streets, and the environment. Home to more than 24 million, Lagos is Nigeria's economic powerhouse, making it a destination for people seeking new opportunities. But during the rainy seasons, the city's streets can become almost impassable. Abandoned or discarded fishing gear is also a major problem because this trash can entangle, injure, maim, and drown marine wildlife and damage property.Navigating the thronging streets of Lagos, Nigeria, is a challenge at the best of times. Marine debris is defined as any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or the Great Lakes.Ī majority of the trash and debris that covers our beaches and floats in our ocean comes from storm drains and sewers, as well as from shoreline and recreational activities such as picnicking and beachgoing. NOAA's Marine Debris Program's mission is to investigate and remove problems that stem from marine debris to protect and conserve our nation's marine environment, natural resources, industries, economy, and people. If the jetsam is valuable, the discoverer may collect proceeds received though the sale of the salvaged objects. Flotsam may be claimed by the original owner, whereas jetsam may be claimed as property of whoever discovers it.
Under maritime law the distinction is important. The word flotsam derives from the French word floter, to float. Jetsam describes debris that was deliberately thrown overboard by a crew of a ship in distress, most often to lighten the ship's load. Flotsam is defined as debris in the water that was not deliberately thrown overboard, often as a result from a shipwreck or accident.
You may have heard of 'flotsam and jetsam' from the movies, but do you know the meaning of the words? While the phrase 'flotsam and jetsam' is often used to describe 'odds and ends,' each word has a specific meaning under maritime law.įlotsam and jetsam are terms that describe two types of marine debris associated with vessels.
0 kommentar(er)
