Cape Verde has a sea of all colors. Lajinha blue, Maio turquoise, almost black on the surface and red inside in Fogo, gray in Brava and transparent in Boa Vista… full in Santa Luzia and noisy white in storms. An immense wealth. It gives us fish, energy and oxygen, guarantees the protection of centuries-old species and is a determining factor in geostrategic positioning. It gives us nostalgia and warmth. The sea and all this is now in danger from climate change and concerted action must be taken now to protect what unites us most.

While Cape Verde’s land area is ten small grains of land totaling approximately four thousand square kilometers, its marine area is 200 times larger and equivalent to three “Portugals”, the area of the United Kingdom or the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil and 80 million soccer pitches. The country is therefore a large oceanic state, with an exclusive economic zone of around 734,000 kilometers rich in biodiversity and other natural and energy resources.

Climate change and its impacts, such as rising temperatures at the surface and in the water column and the consequent change in marine currents, acidification of the ocean, the rise in the average sea level, changes in salinity, reduction in concentrations and others, are adding to what are already negative pressures on this ecosystem, which is the livelihood of many of us, the source of the water we drink and the foundation of Cape Verdean culture.

So, in this second issue of the climate portal’s newsletter, the focus is on our sea, with contributions linked to the management of fishing and energy resources and the conservation of protected species and habitats, ending with a call to action from the latest generation.

It’s very important to get to know our sea better. Our home. To better protect it from all pressures. Now so that we can be beacons and safe harbors for these waves that cradle us and lead us to the dream of an increasingly happy, resilient and prosperous future.

Author

Inês Mourão,
Coordinator of the Ação Climática AGORA Program (acaoclimaticaagora@gmail.com)