2025/10/03 by Hussain, Taofik
#Adaptive livelihoods #Climate Change #Drought #Forced Migration #Lake Chad Basin
paper · doi:10.82265/pe0k-5591
Lake Chad, a once vast and bountiful waterbody, has undergone significant shrinkage over recent decades, witnessing major reduction of its original expanse. This study explored the multifaceted challenges faced by the lake and its adjacent communities, delving into the intricate interplay climate change, human activities, and socio-economic repercussions. Through a combination of historical data analysis, comparative evaluations with other global regions, and detailed narratives of affected communities, we discerned the pivotal role of erratic precipitation patterns, rising temperatures, and heightened evaporation rates in the lake's decline. The ramifications of these ecological shifts resonate deeply within local communities, impacting agriculture, fishing, and traditional livelihoods, subsequently catalysing forced migration patterns. Yet, amid these challenges lies the resilience and adaptability of the affected communities. This paper illuminates potential international, national, and grassroots interventions, emphasising transboundary water management, infrastructural advancements, and community-led initiatives. Lake Chad's story emerges as an urgent testament to the broader challenges of global climate change, underscoring the need for proactive, collaborative action to forge a sustainable path forward. Adelekan, Ibidun, Cassidy Johnson, Mtafu Manda, David Matyas, Blessing U. Mberu, Susan Parnell, Mark Pelling, David Satterthwaite, and Janani Vivekananda. ‘Disaster Risk and Its Reduction: An Agenda for Urban Africa’. International Development Planning Review 37, no. 1 (1 January 2015): 33–43.