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Tag: Climate

  • Tackling climate change challenge in Lagos

    Tackling climate change challenge in Lagos

    • By Victoria Ifeoma Nwosu

    The gradual deteriorating environmental conditions and their effects on the health and standards of living of the coastal dwellers in the coastal areas of Nigeria are perceptibly caused by varied factors such as global climate change, neglect by government and unwholesome practices by coastal dwellers.

    These require hands of all stakeholders to be on deck to salvage the worsening conditions in the coastal areas of Nigeria including other West African regional coastlines.

    The coastal areas, unlike landlocked countries, are a huge asset for Nigeria in broad terms of material, human and cultural resources which must be well harnessed and managed for the benefit of all.

    The coastal areas, apart from airports and road transport, constitute a major gateway to the outside world and which brings in the highest volume of goods and services to (in form of import) and from (in form of export) the country.

    It is inconceivable to imagine the Nigerian economy without the coastal areas including the ocean and sea ports that have contributed to the entire nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross National Product (GNP) over the decades before and after political independence.

    The entire coastal areas including the ocean and the sea ports constitute a micro ecosystem of its own within the macro or larger ecosystem: economically, politically, socially and culturally. For instance, when well cultivated and developed, the coastal areas constitute a huge tourist attraction and the corollary revenue for the nation. This is one of the reasons the federal government cannot afford to ignore or neglect the coastal areas and their largely yet-to-be-tapped resources in its various sectors.

    Apart from serving as the intersection of import and export of goods and services, the coastal areas are also living areas for millions of dwellers who carry out their daily activities both in traditional and modern ways. Trade and commerce are daily preoccupations of the coastal dwellers constituting their main source of living. Fishing, transportation, cultivation of other forms of aquatic farming – – constitute a major segment or sector of economic activities in the coastal areas.

    The coastal dwellers largely live in slum conditions, in squalor with no dreams of a bigger picture of modern living conditions. They lack basic social security amenities such as pipe borne water, electricity, schools, clinics or hospitals and recreational facilities.

    A Blue Economy is defined by the World Bank (2017) as the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.

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    This definition excludes the coastal areas as part of the ocean system.

    The five key pillars of a Blue Economy, according to the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Bashir Jamoh, are: (1) Sustainability, (2) Promoting Ocean Resources, (3) Preservation of Ecosystem, (4) Economic Growth, and (5) Improved Livelihoods and Jobs.

    What are the main problems or challenges facing the coastal areas in Nigeria?

    There are two major categories of problems facing the coastal areas: (1) Unwholesome activities (often civil and criminal in nature) and practices by coastal dwellers and other foreign persons or agents coming to the coastal areas for one reason or the other, and (2) Neglect or lack of adequate attention by all levels of government, the lack of enforcement of all applicable laws relating to the management of the coastal areas.

    A research and field trip to Ebute Ilaje Community of Bariga Local Government Area of Lagos State revealed a complex web of problems facing the coastal dwellers in this particular community. Some of the dwellers, in hours-long interaction with this writer, revealed that they are faced with multiple problems.

    The first of these problems is the diminishing harvest of their aquaculture (fishing) because of environmental disruptions to the feeding and breeding areas of the fish habitats over the years.

    According to them, this was caused by constant transportation of engine boats (not canoes) which disturb and disrupt the fish habitats and drive them to migrate elsewhere that is safe for them to breed and multiply. The second problem is sand mining.

    According to them, the coastal dwellers also mine sands at artisanal level from the coastal areas to be sold to who-would-be buyers. However, the sand mining has been aggravated by large-scale mining by the construction industries including the government. This two-layered sand mining has not only caused sub-marine disruptions to the fish habitats but has also disrupted the regular pattern of ebb and flow of tide in the coastal waters during wet and dry seasons, ultimately affecting their means of livelihoods.

    The third problem is that housing construction companies through the state government have encroached on their dwelling areas which have been their ancestral homes by evicting them without adequate compensation and without relocating them to better places – to construct their high-rise buildings and cite their industries.

    The coastal dwellers revealed that in their views, government is not particularly interested in their economic, social and cultural well-being, not interested in their sustainable small and medium-scale aquatic farming and other businesses – but in providing enabling environment for its elite clientele.

    The overall effects of all the problems itemized above, among others, are increasing poverty level and diminishing standards of living or quality of life in coastal areas in Lagos State as an empirical case study.

    The implication of the above scenario is the disconnection between mud and blue economy which produces another set of problems especially for the blue economy.

    The coastal areas, including rivers, rivulets, lagoons and the oceans constitute a very critical part of the larger ecosystem that is impacted by global climate change from one degree to another and also by unhealthy environmental practices by coastal dwellers and wrong government policy interventions.

    However, our research findings from the field trips to the coastal areas show clearly that the problems or challenges facing the coastal areas can be surmounted or mitigated if and when all hands are on deck in cooperation and integrated approach. Our research findings also include the fact that the coastal dwellers are not difficult to deal with once the purpose of government interventions are honestly explained and communicated to them and are tailored to benefit them.

    Another fact revealed is that there are lot of misconceptions about the coastal areas that are not scientifically valid. Therefore, there is urgent need to generate new and correct narratives and mainstream the environment of the coastal areas as part of the larger ecosystem.

    The importance of mainstreaming the coastal environment in Nigeria cannot, therefore, be overstated. The foundation for sustainable development of the coastal areas for our overall national economic development must be provided by all stakeholders. A variety of commodities, goods and services are produced or provided by our coastal areas which include clean water, aquaculture, biomass and biodiversity. These vast resources generate wealth, health and livelihoods for the poor in the coastal areas.

    The coastal area, finally, when properly taken care of also help to mitigate the negative impacts of global climate change. The coastal areas are part of our natural resources that must be sustainably protected.

    •Nwosu is African Climate Stories Fellow.

  • Group trains students on climate change

    Group trains students on climate change

    A firm, BASF, in partnership with Junior Achievement (JAN) Nigeria, has held its second National Innovation Challenge on Young Voices for a Sustainable Future in Lagos.

    The contest was designed to empower youths aged 15-20 to enable them to contribute solutions to the challenges of climate-related issues within their communities.

    At a workshop, student teams from nine states “ Plateau, Enugu, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna and Rivers, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) “ were selected for the competition.

    JAN Executive Director, Foluso Gbadamosi, said through the programmes, JAN equips students with skills in financial literacy, work readiness, digital literacy and entrepreneurship.

    She stated that the Innovation Challenge is more than just a competition – it is a platform that amplifies the voices, ideas, and solutions of young people all around the world.

    “Our partnership with BASF provides young people in Nigeria with the resources and support needed to promote sustainable solutions to climate issues

    The voices of young people will make a smooth transition to a climate-friendly future of greater possibilities,” she said.

     The Manager, Senior Project Sustainability of BASF, Dr. Akintayo Adisa said that with a commitment to sustainability and innovation, BASF contributes to a more sustainable future through its products, processes, and collaborative initiatives.

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    He stated that given the myriad of problems and challenges facing Nigeria, it is important to change the way Nigerians view these challenges. He added that this is why the culture of innovation in schools and institutions must be encouraged, developed, and supported.

    “It is important to start seeing problems as opportunities to innovate and create value for society through the development of sustainable solutions.

    “Therefore, it is a pleasure to support this initiative and to encourage people at such a young age to start adopting an innovative approach to problem-solving and creation of value for society,” he said.

     Nine student teams presented their ideas and solutions to a panel of independent judges. The judges were Dr Akintayo Adisa; Boluwatito Aiyepola, Circular Economy Specialist, BASF West Africa; and Israel Okeyinka, Creative Director, Exousia Repurpose.

    The judges evaluated the students’ proposals based on innovation and viability of the ideas in various facets of implementation.

    The team, Eco-Life Company, from Government Secondary School Elkehia, Rivers won the contest with their innovative products: a filtron and a fishing basket.

    A filtron is a device fixed on drainages to stop wastes and plastics from blocking them, thereby preventing flooding. The fishing basket, a colourful and long-lasting net, is made from plastics.

    Onuka Juliet Osonwa, from the Eco-Life Company team, while thanking JAN and BASF, urged schools in the country and future participants to work passionately for the environment.

    Eco-Life will be representing Nigeria at the Virtual Global Exchange Programme, an international stage where they will engage with their peers from around the world to exchange ideas, insights, and collaborative efforts aimed at addressing challenges posed by climate change.

    The students expressed joy and satisfaction with the outcome of the programme, thanking JAN and BASF for the opportunity to learn and connect with people from the industry.
    Nifemi Adedapo, second runner-up of Government Secondary School Lugbe, Abuja, said her product tackles greenhouse gas emissions by collecting toxic waste and producing organic manure. She encouraged future participants of the programme to work hard and achieve more than they had achieved in the programme.

    Emmanuella Nwabueze Chidera of Frenardo School, Kaduna, said the programme boosted her confidence. She believes her product can help people.

  • Global climate adaptation to hit $2tr by 2026

    Global climate adaptation to hit $2tr by 2026

    Report on global climate position has estimated that global climate adaptation market could be worth $2 trillion by 2026.

     Climate adaptation refers to adjustments in ecological, social or economic systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli and their effects.

    Telecommunications and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG) said  Nigeria cannot only hold a sizeable slice of this market but also leverage tech-driven climate resilience solutions to address the nation’s environmental and economic challenges.

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    “We have, therefore, channelled our research and thought leadership efforts to offer the ICT sector the insights it needs to lead this transformation,” stated Isaac Emmanuel, Sustainability Consultant at TTSWG Secretariat.

    He said the TTSWG’s multi-faceted approach involves fostering collaboration among stakeholders, from government bodies and private industries to academia and local communities.

    “By leveraging shared expertise and resources, TTSWG aims to create a comprehensive strategy that not only mitigates the challenges posed by climate change but also paves the way for a greener and more robust economy,” it said.

    In a bold stride towards revolutionising Nigeria’s environmental and economic landscape, the TTSWG reaffirms its commitment to catalyse change. Recognising the immense potential at the nexus of technology and climate resilience, TTSWG demonstrates how to steer Nigeria into a more sustainable and prosperous era via its recent publication.

    As sub-Saharan Africa grapples with pressing environmental challenges and seeks avenues to bolster its economic resilience, the TTSWG’s publication, themed “Climate Resilience as a Business Opportunity for Nigeria’s ICT Sector” provides a pathway for a resilient future for Nigeria. By harnessing the power of technology in driving climate adaptation, TTSWG envisions a future where these intersecting forces not only mitigate the nation’s current environmental issues but also foster economic growth.

  • Climate change tops $0.1m NLNG Prize for Science contest

    Twenty-nine scientists are set to find solution to erosion, droughts and desertification plaguing various parts of the country in this year’s Nigeria Prize for Science sponsored by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG).

    The science prize first awarded in 2004 is worth $100,000.

    Details of the contest were revealed during the handover of the  entries to the prize’s Advisory Board signifying the beginning of the contest that will culminate in the announcement of a winner.

    Handing over the entries to the Advisory Board chaired by Professor Alfred Akpoveta Susu, in Lagos, NLNG’s Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Andy Odeh said: “The business of scientific innovation and research is not an easy task anywhere in the world. In Nigeria, it is even more difficult because of the paucity of research funds and the resulting increasing lack of interest.’’

    He said NLNG will continue, through the Nigeria Prize for Science to find excellence even if it is to be found “in the darkest corner,” saying the gas giant is committed to changing the narrative of the nation through scientific prowess through which many nations have excelled.

    Odeh pointed out that though Climate Change remains a myth to  many people, its impact could be seen on the environment and agriculture.

    “We have all seen the growing rate of desertification in the northern part of our country,’’ he said.

    He continued: “Climate Change is real and that is why NLNG believes that solution to this threat can be engendered through a competition such as The Nigeria Prize for Science. The prize is another opportunity for NLNG to contribute to the development of the country.

    “The Nigeria Prize is open to all irrespective of nationality. What is common to all past and prospective winners, is the focus on solving Nigeria’s problems through scientific endeavours. It does not matter who finds solutions to the Nigerian problems.

    “All that counts is that it helps to build a better Nigeria, in line with the vision of Nigeria LNG.’’

    The entries, which came in response to a call for entries published in the national dailies in February 2019, would be examined on their merits of excellence in advancing the frontiers of knowledge in or providing innovative solution to the issue of climate change in Nigeria.

    Susu said regardless of how large or small the number of entries is, the judging must hold and assured Nigerians that the Advisory Board will deliver their mandate based on integrity and excellence.

    He urged the judges to understand that “judging the prize goes beyond the prize itself. It is contributing to nation building and we must never compromise on excellence.”

  • UNEP chief seeks action on climate change

    UNEP chief seeks action on climate change

    The language of environmentalists are boring and uninspiring; people cannot be bored into action, only excitement and inspiration can create action and change people’s behaviour, Executive Director of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), says Erik Solheim, has said.

    People are hungry for news about the risks of climate change but experts are alienating them with boring, technical jargon, the United Nations top environment official said.

    Erik Solheim, executive director of the (UNEP), said one of the most searched terms on the Internet this year was “Hurricane Irma”, a powerful storm that devastated parts of the Caribbean.

    “It shows people want to know about these things but when it comes to explaining why it’s happening and what can be done to stop it, we’re not speaking in language that everyone understands,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

    “The language of environmentalists has been boring, so uninspiring … If we just speak a technical language, with many acronyms and politically-correct phrases, no one will listen,” he said in an interview during a conference on landscapes in Bonn.

    “You cannot bore people into action. They need to be excited and inspired to take action and change their behaviour.”

    As public attention is focused on big disasters that make the headlines, important issues like loss of forests and land degradation risk being left behind, the former Norwegian international development and environment minister said.

    More than 1.3 billion people live on agricultural land that is deteriorating and face worsening hunger, water shortages and poverty.

  • African countries not dependent on donor support for climate adaptation-study

    African countries not dependent on donor support for climate adaptation-study

    About 20 per cent of African countries’ total needs are being spent on climate adaptation, which is more than their fair share without any support from the international community. A new study by the United Nations (UN) has revealed.

    Early findings from the study, jointly commissioned by the UNDP Regional Office for Africa, and the African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) to review African commitment to adaptation, have, therefore, dismissed the insinuation that African countries are not investing in their climate adaptation responses and are instead waiting on the international community as recipients of support.

    “African countries are already spending between 2 to 9 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on adaptation, thus reducing the potential impact of climate change by more than 20 per cent,” Dr Johnson Nkem, a Senior Climate Adaptation expert at the ACPC told PAMACC News at the ongoing climate negotiations in Bonn, Germany.

    The UN study is being implemented by two United Kingdom (UK) centres – Climate Scrutiny and Mokoro – to provide estimates of Africa’s public expenditure on adaptation as a proportion of the total cost for adaptation.

    Although the level of investment as a proportion of the GDP expenditure varies among countries, it ranges between 2 and 9 per cent of GDP; and represents more than other forms of expenditure in public services such as healthcare and education.

    “This contribution is significantly higher than the adaptation resource flow from international sources,” Nkem said.

    The study, therefore, recommends that the disproportionate share of investment in adaptation as opposed to its smallest share of contribution to the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, needs to be fully recognised and boosted under global financing mechanism for climate response, especially under the implementation of the nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

    Some of the study’s key findings are that, African countries are already making a major contribution to adaptation that constitutes; that for Africa as a whole, the estimated adaptation gap is about 80 per cent; and that the adaptation gap is greater than 90 per cent in nine countries. Most of these countries face major exposure and sensitivity to climate change risks as well as fiscal challenges.

    Countries that have reduced the potential impact of climate change by more than 20 per cent, include those with low climate change risks like Liberia, Namibia and Zimbabwe; high expenditure, for example Ethiopia, Gambia, Zambia and lower risk and good expenditure countries like Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda.

    The objectives of the Review of African Commitment to Adaptation was to provide some initial estimates of the current spending on adaptation by African governments, and to  assess the extent to which the funding meets the scale of the adaptation challenge as determined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other assessments.

    According to Nkem, there is a growing political will and socio-economic motivation in addressing climate change in Africa’s development agenda as demonstrated by the level of public expenditure on adaptation to climate change in the continent.

    He pointed out that most adaptation expenditure in Africa is primarily linked to development expenditure, which provides good benefits with current climate conditions.

    Estimates of the adaptation expenditure were provided by classifying the most recent public finance data, preferably actual expenditure data, rather than budget data, if it is available.

    Actual data for 10 countries, and data obtained from the internet for additional 24 countries were used for the analyses in this study. The entire analyses in the study do not include expenditure by development partners that are outside the budget.

    The study noted that despite its miniscule share of responsibility for the causes of climate change, Africa has always been labelled as a tenuous recipient of development assistance, with unending expectations of support in addressing climate impacts on its development.

    While this stigma is baseless, it remains to be fully disbarred, using empirical studies demonstrating regional investments for climate adaptation by the countries.

     

    • Courtesy: PAMACC News Agency

     

  • UN, World Bank to boost climate finance

    The United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim have unveiled plans to accelerate the flow of finance for climate action, through a new platform dedicated to identifying and facilitating transformational investments in developing countries.

    Following meetings with world and business leaders, state and city representatives, and civil society, the two leaders pointed to the urgency for climate action and the need for a massive ramp-up of investment.

    “Countries are successfully reducing emissions and building resilience to climate change, but getting to the level of action needed to reach the global goals set in Paris two years ago, which require a huge leap in the flow of financing and investment for implementing the National Determined Contributions,” said Secretary General Guterres.

    He added:“The disasters we are currently seeing – including storms, floods and drought – are also demonstrating just how urgent the need is, especially for the small islands nations.”

    President Kim, who spoke during the Bloomberg Global Business Forum, said: “There are vast opportunities in developing countries in areas like clean energy and climate-smart agriculture that will lay the groundwork for a more prosperous and sustainable future. Our challenge is to create the conditions for investment to flow, and get all forms of finance working together for maximum impact.”

    The new Invest4Climate platform is designed to bring together national governments, financial institutions, private sector investors, philanthropies, and multilateral banks to support transformational climate action in line with the Paris Agreement.

    The platform will bring together investors with high-impact opportunities in developing countries such as large-scale development of battery storage, electric cars, and low emission air conditioning.  It will also facilitate such investments through the development of risk mitigation instruments and, based on demand, will work with national governments to improve policy environments.

  • Climate change: Why no one is safe

    SIR: Even with the greatest attempts to deny the reality of climate change quandary, one area we cannot fail to see climate change negatively impacting society is in the adverse health effects on communities. The direct effects span vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Others include West Nile virus, cholera, Lyme disease and asthma resulting from air pollution. Even Ebola is not left out of this conversation. According to Kris Murray, senior research scientist at EcoHealth Alliance, an organization that researches and educates about the relationships between wildlife, ecosystems and human health, climate change has strong potential to play a role in increasing the risk for Ebola. Meningitis too, famous for its epidemic in the earlier part of this year had its outbreak peaked by extremely low humidity and severe heat waves in the northern part of Nigeria.

    The major public health organizations of the world have said that climate change is a critical public health problem. Climate change makes many existing diseases and conditions worse, but it may also help introduce new pests and pathogens into new regions or communities. Dengue fever for instance infects about 400 million people each year, and is one of the primary causes of illness and death in the tropics and subtropics.

    Only a few weeks back, we witnessed the sad incident of flooding in Makurdi, an occurrence that was reported by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to have claimed several lives and put 110, 000 people at the risk of contracting diseases. There is also the mental effect of climate disaster displacements. Stress resulting from it jeopardizes immune systems, and it is difficult to maintain food hygiene in disaster zones.

    The health industry in Nigeria clearly has little or insufficient knowledge of climate change, and needs some irradiation to enable them grasp the connection it has with health and quantify the specific effects climate change has on the overall disease burden and on opportunities and effectiveness in the public health. This will help them better mitigate their adverse effects.

    The health sector can also use climate information effectively in epidemic early warning systems as useful indicators to support early detection of disease outbreaks and prepare ahead of time for epidemics that are likely to occur. This synergy should importantly include the emergency response agencies to enable them also be prepared for these disasters and obliterate the rate of climate-related illnesses.

    Essentially, climate change is not a game of hide and seek where one can play into the safe zones and eclipse their corner of the world from its balefully warm hands. The health effects of climate change are enormous, and we must first understand and accept that in order to prepare ourselves for solutions. We must also be reminded, however subtly, that with each activity we do to hurt the environment, we hurt our health, individually and collectively.

     

    • Caleb Adebayo,

    <calebadebayoc@gmail.com>

  • Climate change and health impacts

    In recent times, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels have released sufficient quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to trap additional heat in the lower atmosphere thereby affecting the climate. This inevitably results in rise in sea levels, change in rainfall pattern and melting of glaciers. Although, global warming has some positives such as fewer winter deaths in temperate climates and increased food production in certain areas, the overall health effects of a changing climate are likely to be overwhelmingly negative.

    Climate change affects almost every area of life especially the social and environmental determinants of health; clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter. High atmospheric temperatures contribute directly to deaths resulting from cardio-vascular and respiratory diseases particularly among elderly people. Extreme temperatures also raise the levels of ozone and other pollutants in the air that exacerbate these diseases. Aeroallergen levels are also higher in extreme heat giving rise to asthma, which affects around 300 million people globally. These on-going temperature increases are expected to increase this burden, hence, the need for check and balances of the global climate.

    Globally, the number of reported weather-related natural disasters has more than tripled since the 1970s. Every year, these disasters result in over 60,000 deaths, with majority occurring in developing countries such as Nigeria. With more than half of the world’s population living within 70 km of the sea, people may be forced to move, when the sea level increases. Incidence such as these heightens the risk of a range of health effects, from mental disorders to communicable diseases. Increasingly variable rainfall patterns are also likely to affect the supply of fresh water. A lack of safe water can compromise hygiene and increase the risk of diarrhoea and cholera, which kills over 500,000 children aged under five years, annually. In extreme cases, water scarcity leads to drought and famine. A World Health Organization report states that by the late 21st century, climate change is likely to increase the frequency and intensity of drought at regional and global scale.

    The rate of recurrence of floods is also on the increase, and the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation is also not left out. This has been visible in the Nigeria suburb with the latest in Makurdi, Benue State and others occurrences in Lagos and Ogun states among others. Floods contaminate freshwater supplies, increase the risk of water-borne diseases, and create breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes. They also cause drowning and physical injuries, damage homes and disrupt the supply of medical and health services. Rising temperatures and variable precipitation are also likely to decrease the production of staple foods in many of the poorest regions. This will increase the prevalence of malnutrition and starvation, which leads to reduced productivity and inevitably death.

    Climatic conditions strongly affect water-borne diseases and diseases transmitted through insects, snails or other cold blooded animals. Changes in climate are likely to lengthen the transmission seasons of important vector-borne diseases and also alter their geographic range. For example, malaria is strongly influenced by climate; transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, malaria kills over 400,000 people every year mainly African children under five years old. The aedes mosquito vector of dengue is also highly sensitive to climate conditions, and studies suggest that climate change is likely to continue to increase exposure to dengue.

    Measuring the health effects from climate change can only be very approximate. Nonetheless, an assessment by WHO, taking into account only a subset of the possible health impacts, and assuming continued economic growth and health progress, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year between 2030 and 2050; 38,000 due to heat exposure in elderly people, 48,000 due to diarrhoea, 60,000 due to malaria, and 95,000 due to childhood starvation.

    All populations will be affected by climate change, but some are more vulnerable than others. People living in small island developing states and other coastal regions such as Lagos, mega-cities, and mountainous and polar regions are particularly vulnerable. Children in particular, are among the most vulnerable to the resulting health risks and will be exposed longer to the health consequences. The health effects are also expected to be more severe for elderly people and people with infirmities or pre-existing medical conditions.

    Regions with poor health infrastructure will be the least able to cope without assistance to prepare and respond. Many policies and individual choices have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and produce major health co-benefits. For example, cleaner energy systems, and promoting the safe use of public transportation and active movement  such as cycling or walking as alternatives to using private vehicles could reduce carbon emissions, and cut the burden of household air pollution, which causes some 4.3 million deaths per year, and ambient air pollution, which causes about 3 million deaths every year.

    Nigeria has a wide range of variety in energy production. The sunshine in the northern region is one that can kick out the use of fossil fuels if put into use. Hydro power is an indispensable tool that can also aid in bringing a halt to this ‘wolf in sheep clothing’ (crude oil). The Kainji Dam at New Bussa has proved beyond doubts that Nigeria has what it takes to foster on renewable energy and discard fossil fuels. Sadly, health challenges have also been on the increase in some parts of Nigeria due to oil pollution and gas flaring. For example, Ogoni has been regarded as a write-off as oil spilling has rendered farmlands, water, aquatic habitat, infrastructures and other viable resources useless. This fossil fuel has shown to be a nail-in-the-tooth and unreliable, which is an indicator for the urgent need to embrace renewable energy.

    There is a vivid uprising in the need for energy as the population is on a geometric increase, which is a loud call for policy makers to take a close look at the need to embrace renewable energy. Life and properties are being lost every day due to the constant depletion of the ozone; this and more would continually be a daily bread if our climate is not well protected.

     

    • Joshua, an environment activist, writes from Lagos.
  • Cocoa in a world of global environmental changes

    Cocoa in a world of global environmental changes

    The cocoa sector in West Africa is facing many well-known problems. That is a fact. And we all acknowledge those problems. Only by joining forces can we solve the challenges and contribute to sustainable growth and development of the cocoa sector. Succeeding in this, will result in increased farmer profitability, economic growth in West-Africa and reduced negative environmental impact.

    About 70% of global Cocoa supply is produced in West Africa by smallholder farmers. Productivity is low, trees are old and farmers are using old-fashioned methods. Farming efficiency is a huge issue. Agriculture with low productivity is a very important driver of deforestation. Production areas need to be replanted with improved varieties. There is a lack of availability of proper fertilizers and other inputs, knowledge on cocoa agronomy and best management practices is lacking. Climate change threatens production, but we can also say that production threatens to contribute to more climate change, through for instance illegal deforestation. And if you look at it this way, the future can look quite grim. However, I am an optimist – and I believe in knowledge sharing and collaboration.

    In Yara, we have put sustainability and farmers at the centre of our business strategy. Not just because it is the nice thing to do, but because it is the wise thing to do. For example, if farmers improve productivity in a manner which destroys the natural resources base, it will not be sustainable over time neither for them nor for us as an input provider. So let us create growth and cocoa sustainability– in a responsible and inclusive way – for our businesses, the farmers and for society at large.

    To succeed in doing this, however, we need to work together. Government buy-in and leadership is absolutely vital. Progress will not be sufficient if companies along the value chain continue to work individually in pursuit of parallel but separate strategies. Real and transformative change will require what Howard Shapiro from Mars has coined “uncommon collaboration” between academia, government, non-government, industry players and farmers in tackling global challenges- and where the cocoa farmer is put first.

    On the picture below, is cocoa farmer Konfe Sidy from Côte d’Ivoire. Through more modern and sustainable methods, he has been able to increase the yields almost ten times. This has enabled him to create a small business, feed his wife and 3 year old daughter as well as his extended family who live with him. He has even build a new house. Of course, this is small scale. But imagine what the impact could be if we aggregate this to thousands of cocoa farmers.

    Cocoa farmer during harvest
    Cocoa farmer

    We must make production of cocoa more efficient. Producing more with less, meaning more output based on less input. Increased efficiency will improve forests, diversity and cocoa farmer livelihoods in West Africa. I believe we can succeed if there is a sufficient will and we put ourselves in the correct frame of mind. The chocolate industry has already paved the way with CocoaAction. In Yara, we have for a long time recognized that we need look beyond our own sector, broaden our perspective and find ways of working with a range of different partners. We have decided to engage beyond our own interests and contribute to the sustainable cocoa productivity challenge by bringing our unique crop nutrition competence and to form alliances involving partners ranging from UN Environment the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to key companies and organisations in the chocolate industry.

    The result so far is a public-private research and development partnership which aims to address critical gaps in the knowledge base required to close cocoa yield gaps and deliver this knowledge to cocoa farmers. I truly believe that this partnership can bring the best of science to tackle the major problems to the service of the smallholders and the cocoa producing countries.

    The time to make cocoa production more sustainable is now. Some of the tools and strategies already exist. Through “uncommon collaboration” we can not only turn cocoa around but also lead the way.

    This week representatives from national agricultural research and extension organizations of the major cocoa producing countries in Africa together with key companies and organizations in the cocoa industry will be gathered in Abidjan. The main purpose is to discuss how science can work together with the chocolate industry players to bring the best science to tackle major problems to the service of the smallholders and the cocoa producing countries. It is all happening in the context of the 7th African Green Revolution Forum. Under the leadership of the Government of Cote d’Ivoire, the 2017 AGRF is shaping up to be the most important agricultural platform on the continent for 2017.

    As Yara, we are ready and prepared to work with others to improve the knowledge base required to close cocoa yield gaps and deliver this knowledge to cocoa farmers – and we know we cannot crack that nut alone.