From rising temperatures and erratic rainfall to devastating floods and meals insecurity, the consequences of local weather change are not distant threats; they’re realities Nigerians face every single day.
Local weather change, in keeping with NASA, is a long-term change within the common climate patterns which have come to outline Earth’s native, regional, and international climates.
These modifications have a broad vary of noticed results which can be synonymous with the time period.
How does that concern a mean Nigerian?
Generally we’ve opinions from the streets of Africa stating that they don’t care about local weather change however are involved about what to eat or the best way to survive.
Nonetheless, the consequences of local weather change would not have a boundary; slightly, it’s a international phenomenon.
Scientists have argued that rising sea ranges might displace thousands and thousands of individuals in Nigeria within the subsequent 30-50 years, as ocean surges swamp one in all Africa’s greatest cities, akin to Lagos.
Nigeria, essentially the most populous nation in Africa, is going through assaults on a number of angles from local weather change. We’ve desert encroachment on the northern plains, extreme erosion of farmlands within the southeastern components and floods on the southern coast.
The flooding in Lagos has continued unabated for some time, regardless of the efforts by the federal government. Whereas many Nigerians might really feel unconcerned about local weather change, we’re deeply going through the consequences of local weather change throughout our states. It subsequently must be our enterprise.
As world leaders work collectively to make a distinction, most African leaders’ response or methods to this international phenomenon are that of advocating for elevated local weather financing, selling inexperienced development initiatives and emphasising the necessity for equitable local weather motion.
Notably, many of the sub-Saharan African international locations might exponentially leverage the huge availability of renewable vitality assets, other than the numerous mineral deposits, to spice up their real progress indicators.
On the advocacy for elevated local weather financing, one large setback to the impression of that is corruption. Aside from considered and strategic utilization of this finance, it’d find yourself biking again to financing actions that negatively impression the local weather.
A rustic whose politicians gasoline convoys of between 10 and 50 vehicles which proceed to burn avoidable gasoline is just not being regenerative or engaged in sustainable apply. As is at all times mentioned, the society we abuse in the present day takes revenge on our kids.
The earth doesn’t belong to us; we belong to the earth. Elevated local weather financing is critical however should be executed inside a really accountable and clear framework.
Learn additionally: Africa must confront climate change with innovation, collaboration
How does this concern Nigerians?
The Thwaites Glacier, also known as the ‘doomsday glacier’, is in West Antarctica and covers an space bigger than Florida, USA, and rather less than Nice Britain.
It accommodates sufficient ice to boost sea ranges by 10 ft. It contributes 4 per cent to international sea degree rise and continues to extend because the glaciers destabilise; its collapse could be catastrophic globally, particularly for coastal cities.
One would surprise what the connection between the Thwaites Glacier and Lagos, Nigeria, is. The reply is, “What occurs within the Arctic doesn’t keep within the Arctic.”
If the Thwaites Glacier melts, it might elevate international sea degree by 10 ft, and Lagos is a coastal state bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, and most of its individuals reside two ft above sea degree. The resultant impact of this ice soften will surely elevate the ocean degree, which might subsequently lead to flooding throughout the coastal areas of the world.
Apart from locations just like the Eko Atlantic metropolis, in one other 30–50 years, with the rising sea ranges, most locations could be submerged; this is applicable to some riverine areas of the Niger Delta.
It’s subsequently a worldwide problem for everybody to make acutely aware efforts in limiting the impact of rising international temperatures, as a result of if the emissions proceed to rise unchecked, the Arctic may very well be ice-free by 2050.
Nigeria is at the moment battling with instances of internally displaced individuals largely from insecurity; subsequently, the query is, what preparedness will we at the moment have in place in case of extreme results of local weather change, akin to extreme flooding?
For most individuals in building, you’ll have skilled sea degree rise amongst different points; this explains why it’s our enterprise, as a result of because of each flooding and a few of this irregular climate, the inhabitants will proceed to reside in poverty and unsafe circumstances till extra sustainable practices and sustainable infrastructures are carried out.
Name to motion
The UN’s Sustainable Growth Objective 13 for local weather motion requires speedy motion on the local weather disaster to keep away from the catastrophic penalties of worldwide rises in temperature.
Each particular person must be a local weather change ambassador. When you might argue that your efforts might be insignificant, you can also make a distinction by making modifications in your habits, existence, and actions, all geared in direction of decreasing your carbon footprint.
Correct waste disposal and biodiversity are larger speedy threats than local weather change. Improper waste disposal not solely impacts the storm drainage system but additionally impacts the marine or aquatic ecosystem.
In Lagos, correct oversight must be executed over all of the rising estates, making certain the completed elevations of the infrastructures are above 4 metres. Severe and steady enforcement must be in place for adherence by elevating constructions properly above base flood elevations.
Onye-Amah is a LEED Inexperienced Affiliate and PMP Sustainability Advocate.
