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In Benin, 45,000 people live in Ganvié, one of the last lakeside cities on the planet. However, global warming has a strong impact on this Venice of Africa. Reporting.
Ganvie (Benign) is one of the most unusual cities on the planet. All inhabitants were born and live on water, sThey travel by canoe. Every morning, a floating market is the unmissable meeting point. A seller has her products delivered directly by boat. For her, “those who live in the city have too many problems”. Their ancestors settled on a lake to avoid being kidnapped and sold into slavery in the 18th century. Today, the city has 45,000 inhabitants.
The impacts of global warming
When water is everywhere, you have to adapt, like learning to walk. Islets are made of sand, agglomerated earth and tires. They are installed between the houses on stilts. Here too, climate change has turned everything upside down. A few months ago, Albertine’s family experienced unprecedented flooding. Lake flooding is now more frequent. “For 10 years, the situation has gotten worse and worse.”deplores this resident.
Climate change also affects fishing, the main means of livelihood for communities. A fisherman laments: “The lake water has become too warm for the fish.” THE Water hyacinths, considered invasive, also impact the biodiversity of the lake.