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9.8. Invasive species
Fortunately, the number of species documented to date
are few, about 4-5 in the region. However, the problem
of coastal and marine invasive species is likely to worsen
over the coming decade due to increases in shipping
activities throughout the region. Ship traffic is projected
to continue growing into the coming decade parallel
to economic growth and therefore the transfer of alien
organisms through ship‘s ballast water is expected to
grow.
Active participation by Sierra Leone in programs such as
the Globallast Programme through the GCLME Project
and the implementation of the newly adopted IMO Ballast
Water Convention, including the involvement of the private
sector with partners from major maritime companies,
should reduce the regional exposure to the global threat of
invasive species.
9.9. Petroleum and other resources
The outlook for the oil and gas sector over the coming
decade is very likely to involve significant increases in
exploration and exploitation of proven reserves by current
producers. Sierra Leone could become a major oil producer
in the future. It is evident that a wide variety of policy tools
and strategies will be needed in order to protect the marine
environment from unacceptable pollution derived from oil
and gas activities.
The risk that oil exploration will result in a blowout or
a major oil spill was regarded as significant in a 5 years
perspective and high in a 50 years perspective. The risk
that catchment disturbance due to mining activities causes
siltation of the estuaries was also regarded as high in a 5
years period and significant in a 50 years perspective.
9.10. Climate change
Climate change is widely accepted as a real threat and
developing countries are already being affected. For the
region, climate change is a development issue. Climate
risks are highest in poor countries and the poorest
countries and communities stand to suffer the earliest
and the most. Climate change threatens the development
gains and achievement of the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs). African countries are highly vulnerable to
climate change which is expected to affect all key sectors
such as agriculture, water, health, disaster risk reduction,
coastal zones, and ecosystem management.
Key impacts would include drought, dust and sand
storms, water resources (water stress), agriculture/food
security (reduction in soil fertility, livestock productivity
and increased incidence of pest attacks), and coastal zone
(flooding and extreme weather events). UNDP reported
that the African continent is vulnerable to climate change
because of its large population living along the coast,
25 per cent within 100 km of the coast and in low lying
areas. With a heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture, and
high dependence on natural resources and poor access to
modern and sustainable energy services, the continent is
particularly vulnerable.
The risks of catastrophic events will increase with
temperature, and the workshop regarded the risk as high.
Perhaps, these are sufficient assessments of projected
environmental impacts for formulating actions for
mitigation and adaptation.