YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN NIGERIAby | 11-08-2014 14:50 |
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Not too long ago, I met a fantastic friend on Twitter, thanks to the power of networking made easy by social media. Like a fender-bender contact, two passionate environmentalists of significantly different generations and geographical locations soon embarked on an interesting project on Climate Change in Nigeria. In short, Peggy Castellano ( from the USA) who in a manner I describe as being impressively accommodating, enthusiastic and very driven, agreed to write an article for me on "YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN NIGERIA" Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the article. It's a fantastic read. I savoured it from the beginning to the end. Please enjoy it: "I think fighting global warming must start from us. Even though it's not much, each one of us have our own effect on climate change so every African has a great responsibility in fighting against global warming. Let us change and let's make them change Yeabsira from Ethiopia Voices of UNICEF What is Climate Change? More than 100 years ago, people all over the world began burning coal and oil to provide energy to homes, industries and cars. As decades passed, our world's dependence on these 'fossil fuels' has increased, releasing carbon dioxide into the air and trapping hot gasses. Perhaps your family uses wood or coal to cook or warm your home. These gasses are causing the climate to change. You may hear them called 'greenhouse gasses.' Normally they exist in nature to warm our planet, helping animals and plants to live. But too many gasses are causing the earth to warm at greater intensity, causing the Earth to change and affect oceans, land, the atmosphere, and the temperatures of our planet. A rise in temperature will affect every living thing on our planet from people to glaciers to rising sea levels. We must, as a country and as a planet work together to reduce the use of fossil fuels and protect our planet from catastrophic results. In Nigeria we have a long history of using wood, for cooking, warming homes and selling logs for income. Chopping down forests is called 'deforestation' and it reduces Earth's ability to protect itself from greenhouse gasses. The Government's Commitment To fight climate change, the Nigerian government has made efforts to mitigate the problems of deforestation and create new energy sources for the people. Last year, they adopted a "National Policy on Climate Change and Response Strategy." aimed at making the country resilient to climate change and ready for rapid and sustainable development. The government made a commitment to grow damaged forests, and started a campaign to get people to switch from wood burning to the use of natural gas and kerosene. This is not an easy policy to implement – Nigeria ranks the lowest in the entire world for use of liquid natural gas. People can't find it or can't afford it – posing a serious problem to gain support from communities. Among various new policies and legislation, Nigeria joined GLOBE Legislators Organization called 'Globe International,' represented by about 100 countries around the world. In February of this year, the organization approved the most dramatic climate change action plans in Nigeria's history. The Nigeria Legislative Council approved the adoption of a National Climate Change Policy and Response Strategy. The government will work with civic leaders and community stakeholders to educate, motivate and get the country supporting climate change policies that will ensure a sustainable future for Nigeria. Just recently, a new Climate Change bill was just submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan to enable Nigeria to reach its climate targets. People from across the nation are urging the President to sign this important legislation. http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/07/environmentalist-urges-jonathan-sign-climate-change-bill/ Your Role to Fight Climate Change & Promote a Sustainable Future for Nigeria Your important role as young environmentalists is to get involved and develop innovative new programs. . Each year the United Nations sponsors World Environment Day (WED) and this year the theme was 'Raise Your Voice, Not the Sea Level.' Schools across the country are joining Connected Development or 'CODE' to plant trees for a better future. Schools will become stakeholders in climate change and the students will develop new skills that will have a lasting impact on Nigeria. Urge your schools to join this program and rebuild our forests. Programs such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Student's Guide to Climate Change will provide programs you can join to impact climate change. Join the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Education Program (NOAA) at http://www.education.noaa.gov/Special_Topics/Student_Opportunities.php#page=page-1 Apply for grants and scholarships to study climate change and fossil fuels through NOAA and other organizations focused on students at Innovations in Civic Participation Youth Organizations http://www.icicp.org/resource-library/icp-publications/global-youth-service-database/africa-2/west-sub-saharan-africa/nigeria/There are 14 climate change programs with 'USA for Africa' located at http://www.usaforafrica.org/Impact/climatechange.html Apply for grants to start your own climate change programs within your schools. Many of the links provide funding for new, innovative ideas to include students in the battle to control climate change. You can do it. Everything is possible!" *The author, Peggy Castellano, worked for 20+ years as Senior Vice President of major international corporations including Sony Pictures Entertainment, PacTel International, Nationwide and was Head of Walt Disney Imagineering and VP of HR and Environmental Health for a major US Newspaper. She shifted five years ago to environmental and human rights activism. She serves on Board for Climate Wednesday Nigeria and talks regularly with Nigerian leaders about socioeconomic development. Her environmental site 'EcoJustice' is on Twitter @hcapeggy. She also chairs a group on LinkedIn addressing Ecojustice and global sustainability. |
