"It's been of concern seeing so much litter and blockages in our drains and canals," said Betty Aikhoje, a volunteer with Reswaye, a Nigerian organization trying to educate people on the problems caused by dumping waste. "Trying to keep our drainages clean and clear helps us save a lot of problems with our buildings and the environment in general." This statement emphasizes the relevance of community-driven initiatives in managing urban pollution and the preventive measures taken against flooding.
Lagos is just one of many urban centers around the world having to adapt to the implications of rising temperatures. Home to more than half the global population, cities are warming faster than rural areas. They are having to find ways to deal with ever more frequent and intense heat waves, drought, rainfall, hurricanes, and wildfires linked to humans burning fossil fuels to generate energy, and power transport and industry.
The way cities are built can amplify risks from extreme weather. The volumes of concrete used to build roads and buildings can heat cities up and also prevent excess rainfall from draining away, leading to flooding. This highlights the urgent need for cities to re-evaluate urban planning frameworks to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
In a 2023 survey on climate hazards among 169 city administrations responsible for 1 million inhabitants or more, 122 reported that flooding has a medium or high impact in their city. This data underscores the growing acknowledgment in urban governance that proactive measures against flooding are imperative.
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