Political Will and Managing the Impact of Climate Change: Dispatches from Lake Chad

This article examines the impact of climate change on Lake Chad from the perspective of the dominant narrative that holds that the lake has shrunk by more than 90% since 1960, with its attendant impact on livelihoods, conflict and forced migration. In the face of this disaster, this study asks whether there are no remedies. This article examines the efforts made by Lake Chad’s riparian states in addressing the problem through plans to resuscitate the Lake from rivers in the region. This venture, known as Inter-Basin Water Transfer, is argued to curtail water shortages in the Sahel Basin and reduce conflict, among other benefits. Yet, the inaction of the riparian states leaves a lot to be desired. This study contends that the lethargy of African governments in addressing issues of climate change is as damaging to human existence as the impact of climate change itself. Addressing Lake Chad’s issues, amid contending climate change narratives, boils down to the political will of the riparian and Lake Chad Basin governments/agencies. This study makes use of secondary data encompassing findings from earth and environmental sciences.