Despite directly impacting our communities, health, and livelihood, climate-related reports usually take a back seat to dominant news beats like politics and business. Climate Watch aims to ensure you never miss important stories on climate change and actions being taken toward limiting its impact.
Here is a round-up of last week’s climate stories:
- In commemoration of the 2023 Earth Day, Google, on April 17, released sustainability-related trends showing Nigerians’ growing interest in climate change and environmental issues. The data also revealed that Nigerians were searching for solutions to mitigate the impacts of flooding, as well as minimise their carbon footprint and contribute to global climate action. Find out more here.
- Also, to commemorate Earth Day on April 22, Antonio Guterres, United Nations secretary-general, urged people all over the world to reflect on their relationship with nature and play their role in protecting the planet. Guterres said human activities were causing a decline in biodiversity, adding that there’s a need to accelerate climate action to reduce emissions and limit global temperature. Read more here.
- Meanwhile, at the unveiling of Anambra’s programme for the 2023 world earth day in Awka, Felix Odimegwu, commissioner for environment, on April 20, described the state as the erosion capital of Africa. Odimegwu said the challenge is one that Anambra’s resources could bear. The commissioner called on the federal government and international funding agencies to assist the state in tackling the crisis of erosion and saving its environment. Read more here.
- At the 2023 Nigeria international energy summit in Abuja, last Tuesday, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said Nigeria has a crucial role to play in Africa’s transition into a more sustainable future. Osinbajo said Africa can drive the next stage of global economic progress by becoming the first truly green civilization in the world. The Vice-President also said CarbonVista, a joint venture launched by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Vitol, would invest in carbon emission reduction projects, as well as promote carbon market initiatives in Nigeria. Read more here.
- Last week, during a two-day workshop on the use of highly hazardous pesticides, Jochen Lucksheiter, director of Heinrich BÖLL Stiftung Foundation in Nigeria, said many pesticides banned in Europe, Japan, and the US have been registered and legally sold in Nigeria. Lucksheiter said Nigeria needs to invest in producing pesticides that are more healthy for the environment and the consumer. Similarly, Cynthia Anaele, executive director of Chen Education and Development (CEDE), said there should be more awareness of the impact of harmful agrochemicals on food and the environment. Read more here.
- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with Digital Peers International (DPI), last week, kicked off a two-day programme to educate youths on harnessing the opportunities of technology-based solutions in plastic waste management. Ibukun Odusote, Digital Peers’ CEO warned of the health risks associated with plastic waste pollution, noting that participants would be trained to provide effective solutions to manage plastic consumption and pollution. Read more here.
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