Senegalese city of Saint-Louis threatened by rising sea levels • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Rising Sea Levels
• Global Warming
• Climate Change
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Coastal Erosion
• Forced Relocation
• Climate Justice
• Extreme Weather Phenomenon
• Sandy Soil

St. Louis: A City Under Threat from Rising Sea Levels

The city of St. Louis, the former capital of Senegal, is identified as the African city most severely threatened by rising sea levels. Situated between a river and the sea, the city is actively sinking into the ocean. In 2019, powerful waves caused significant destruction, demolishing hundreds of dwellings, mosques, and schools, serving as an ominous precursor to future events. The city's historical center, located on St. Louis Island, features colonial architecture that earned it a UNESCO World Heritage site designation 25 years ago. However, this architecture is now crumbling, with visible stone erosion attributed to humidity and salt.

Environmental Degradation and Scientific Explanation

A geographer attributes this rapid decline to global warming. St. Louis, built on sandy soil, is sinking at an approximate rate of 6 mm each year. Underground moisture is penetrating the walls of structures, leading to the erosion of building foundations. This phenomenon is cited as a prime example of infrastructure destruction. Projections indicate that approximately 70% of St. Louis will be submerged underwater by the year 2100.

Human Impact and Relocation Efforts

In certain neighborhoods, the disaster has already manifested. A thin sandy peninsula, wedged between the Atlantic Ocean and the Senegal River, has experienced severe impact. Abl, a resident who grew up in a local fishing district, recounts how a massive wave destroyed his home and everything within it, including his kitchen and bedroom.

In response to the escalating risk, Senegalese authorities have implemented a policy to demolish all structures located 20 meters or less from the sea. This decision necessitates the relocation of over 10,000 people. These displaced residents are being moved to Diego, a newly constructed city funded by the World Bank. Diego features 600 concrete dwellings and is situated over 10 km away from the coastline, aiming to provide a safer environment.

Global Responsibility and Local Paradox

Despite being among the first victims of global warming and climate change, St. Louis contributes minimally to the problem. The city lacks major industries, and its residents hardly use fossil fuels, meaning they are not significant contributors to global emissions. The city's mayor is actively appealing to the world's largest polluters to acknowledge their responsibility and provide support. The mayor stated, "We are telling big cities and big countries whose responsibility has been established to accompany the victims. It's a call directed to potential partners to support the cities and the populations that are threatened by these extreme weather phenomenon." A critical statistic highlighting the city's vulnerability is that no point in St. Louis is more than 2 meters above sea level. The way of life for the city's 250,000 inhabitants is therefore gravely threatened and could soon vanish under the rising waves.

Conclusion

St. Louis faces an existential threat from rising sea levels and climate change, manifesting in rapid environmental degradation, infrastructure destruction, and forced displacement of its population. Despite its minimal contribution to global warming, the city is bearing the brunt of its effects. The situation underscores a profound climate injustice and highlights an urgent call for international support and accountability from major global polluters to aid vulnerable communities like St. Louis. The city's unique cultural heritage and the lives of its quarter-million inhabitants hang precariously in the balance.