A photography initiative across Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria is using visual storytelling to help coastal communities confront climate change and advocate for government support. Drawing on three years of research, the project creates digitally imagined photos to illustrate how solutions such as mangrove restoration and engineered coastal defenses could reduce the impact of flooding, erosion, and rising sea levels. Photographer Adolphus Opara, who leads the effort, said visuals help communities grasp abstract science in ways conversation alone cannot. He hopes the images will motivate residents to pressure politicians and potential investors to adopt the depicted solutions. Backed by the University of Ghana, the University of Lagos, and Harvard University, the project has also produced a photobook that toured affected communities as a traveling exhibition, aiming to translate research into tangible public engagement around climate adaptation.
Semafor