SM4CC SERIES: PEOPLE'S VIEWS PART 2

Fellow environmentalists, green greetings. Below, are views from two climate conscious individuals - have a good read and express your thoughts, even as I await yours. Thank you. 

 “Climate change can be described as a significant change in the weather pattern of a particular region for a period of time. The major cause of climate change, especially in the tropics (places located along the equator such as Nigeria, Ghana, California etc.), is global warming. Global warming is the constant rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s surface. This has being happening since the nineteenth century, and is as a result of an increase in the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. I’ll use the South Eastern part of Nigeria to highlight just one of the effects of climate change and global warming. In the seventies, when the seasons in Nigeria were just the harmattan and the wet/rainy seasons, local Igbo farmers planted their yam seedlings in February when the first rains fell, this allowed ample time for the seedlings to decay in time for germination when the rains fell next, usually a month after, in March. This practise was quite successful for both sustenance and commercial purposes. Now, things have changed. The seasons are no longer divided into the two earlier mentioned, we also have dry/heat season now, hence, farming as we used to know it is no longer. A reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases, especially carbon IV oxide (CO2), nitrogen IV oxide (NO2) and chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) is what is needed. This means a reduction in combustion of any kind; burning of forests or refuse, especially in the North, planting trees to fight deforestation and desertification etc.”

 "Global warming is the increase in temperature of the atmosphere around the globe. It is caused by the emission of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides (greenhouse gases) into the atmosphere, usually from burning of fossil fuel, that is, coal, gasoline and the likes. These gases in turn cause the warming of the environment. Global warming may cause an overflow of water bodies (flooding) due to melting in the polar regions and expansion, it may cause drought in prone continents like Africa, some heat related diseases like meningitis and other health issues, death of animals and humans (I think, lol). By reducing the emission of greenhouse gases into the environment, this global phenomenon can be curbed.  Reliance on mass transportation systems would reduce the number of vehicles, emitting these gases, in use - this is a step in the right direction. Also policies that prohibit indiscriminate felling of trees (deforestation) should be put in place. Practices can be carried out to counteract the effect of the gases such as the planting of trees (especially in tropical areas) as they absorb the CO2 in the atmosphere."

SM4CC SERIES: KURAMO OCEAN SURGE ON SALLAH

I was with a couple of friends in Ghana for a vacation. It was a good time, all rosy and tremendous fun. To cap the two week long holdiay, we paid a visit to a rocky beach, Labadi precisely. On arrival at the beach, we began exploring the beach and taking pictures when someone discovered a really cool spot for pictures – looked like something TuFace shot a video on.

It was a lone rock; a very, tiny island, you could wade through waist deep water or jump from the shores to get to - we immediately began to do that. Some of us were on the rocks taking poses and baring white teeth while, others took pictures from the shores, suggestions going back and forth between amateur photographers and expert “photographeds”, when it happened.

I found myself deep in chilling cold saltwater, performing what can be best described as a scramble for the surface, I was successful and upon drawing the first breath of fresh air, another wave swept over me, sucking me back in again. The receding waves tried to take me out to sea, but that lone rock served as barrier, so I kept slamming my back against it till somehow I touched dry sand.

Thankfully, we all survived, casualties been gadgets, clothing etc. Whenever I recall that event, I ask myself how it was possible that no one saw the waves approaching or whatever it was that swept us into the water. This is only one of the numerous questions I ask, and its being two years that incident occurred.

Today marks a week, seven days that we lost several lives to an ocean surge at Kuramo beach, some found, others still lost in the sea’s bowels.  They were residents and occupants of the various shanties that are prevalent on Lagos beaches. There is no certain number to the number of people lost, as there are varying numbers and stories coming from the media.

Ocean surges occur at least thrice a year, I wonder why this is the first time it’s tragic. What went wrong? “An ocean or storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with low pressure weather system. The surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean’s surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea level. Low pressure at the centre of a weather system also has a small secondary effect, as can the bathymetry of the body of water. It is the combined effect of low pressure and persistent wind over a shallow water body, which is the most common cause of storm surge flooding problems.”

“Though nine bodies have so far been recovered and confirmed by NEMA officials while others, as claimed by residents were still missing, the ocean surge at Kuramo Beach and other areas of Lagos was natural phenomena while the human casualty could be blamed on carelessness of people living too close to the danger of coastline when early warning alerts were raised by appropriate authorities on the effect of climate change and global warming.”

The above paragraph is a part of the report presented by the National Emergency Management (NEMA) in a report it compiled on the conclusion of its investigation. The agency sounded a note of warning saying that more beaches might be affected by wave tide. They also said the cause of the surge was natural disaster while human casualty (people who live in shanties close to the shores) was man-made. So, PDP and CAN can stop bickering and work on a way forward.

My thoughts are no longer on the miracle I experienced but rather, the questions have only increased anytime I think of it, blame looking for where to be placed. Where were all those men you find in swimming trunk loitering around the shores? Why did Sallah have to be marred by such? Did the disaster have to happen? As a nation, we certainly can’t cope with natural disasters, considering we’ve managed to create and unfold some on ourselves, with others waiting to happen.

These questions will always linger, some of them never to be answered. So, I can only hope and pray for the families and friends of the bereaved, may God grant them strength to bear their loss, grace to heal and recover, and the courage to carry on with life even as their beloved ones rest in His bosom.

Source

Vanguard Newspaper

SM4CC SERIES: REFUSE DUMPS TO GARBAGE ISLANDS

The above picture represents all the farewell or welcome I receive leaving or entering the building I live in. This, this eyesore, has being a constant source of worry and all efforts put in to rectify this have been frustrated – the extra trash bins have not been provided neither have the LAWMA officials increased their pick up rounds. Any time I see the above, the pictures, I make a deliberate and conscious effort not to be sad. Haba!

What does it take for the LAWMA officials to have a number or something which Lagosians can call as soon as they have sufficient trash? Why wait for their bi-weekly runs? Two weeks is a long time to leave refuse lying around, especially for a state like Lagos, where the rain comes, our drainages get blocked and then, flooding. Which reminds me, please let’s stop clearing our drainages (gutters) and then leave the waste by the roadside.

Going around my neighborhood, such heaps exist everywhere. Hence, I have often tried to imagine if other residents are faced with the same situation and complained as often as I have to no avail. Now, try and imagine if this is the situation in some areas of Lagos, it is a recipe for disaster. Please, effective and prompt disposal of waste would go a long way in avoiding/fighting floods.

It’s such a relief I’ve being able to put this out there, thanks to an article I came across sometime in the past month. The write up spoke about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which somehow I have never heard about but brought to mind the floating debris I see on the Lagoon whenever I’m on the Third Mainland Bridge.

Of course, I got online and read as much as I could, a link to a short and educative read is below, and found out there’s an Atlantic Garbage Patch too. I don’t know if it is a good thing or not that for now, it is on the North Atlantic i.e. around America, Cuba etc. All I know is attention needs to be paid to this. Why?

I mentioned noticing smaller garbage patches on the Lagos Lagoon earlier, I don’t know too much of geography but I do know that the Lagoon empties into the Atlantic Ocean via the Lagos Harbor.  It isn’t too much of a stretch to say the all that garbage empties into the Atlantic, is it? It is a post for another day but early findings and investigations show that, waste management in Lagos isn’t “all that”, what is done with all the waste? Where does it go?

Sources

1.     Great Pacific Garbage Patch

2.     Atlantic Garbage Patch

3.     Trash Islands

SM4CC SERIES: PEOPLE’S VIEWS – PART 1

I have being getting some response from people who have read various posts under the series. The feedback has being mostly verbal, hence, I tried convincing some of the people who I spoke with to put their opinions on document and succeeded. Hopefully with this, more people/you would be encouraged to either comment on the posts or send their/your opinions concerning climate change, environmental issues etc. to adeyemioluwatosin@gmail.com. Thank you.

Below are the opinions of my first two respondents – I do hope you enjoy reading them, the issues they mentioned and seeing from their perspective. Remember, I look forward to your comments and opinions on anything and everything “environmental” in Nigeria. Enjoy.

“According to statistics, Nigeria is one of the lowest contributors to global warming. it is also amongst the least countries effecting a change in global warming. The average Nigerian has probably never heard the phrase “global warming” but, is very much aware that the weather has been acting strange. How exactly do you educate people who live well below poverty level about global warming; what is it exactly you want them to do? Do you want to tell the old lady who roasts fish for commercial purpose in order to feed her family of seven that she is affecting the ozone when she hardly is? The sad fact is the government and wealthy corporations would rather sand fill the ocean than fix what is already broken, part of Lagos is now beneath sea level. Its high time Nigerians both rich and small take responsibility for its environment. Don't block the drainage with waste you know isn't biodegradable then weep when your streets are flooded because the truth is, in an indirect way, you invited the flood. Waste that cannot be broken down by living organisms are known as non-biodegradable (wikipedia.org ;-D). In other words, waste such as those aluminum cans the carbonated drinks you consume come in, would take about 80 years to decompose. In some countries, manufacturers pay consumers money when they return its containers for recycling (make money; save money; clean the streets). We would achieve more on reversing global warming if we had more regards for how we dispose waste.”

“Climate change is no news, I guess every country has its share already. What do you think would happen when everyone does not care about the environment they live in? Both big and small, in their best way burn fossil fuel – the woman who uses firewood and the man that drives his car, give away carbon monoxide cheerfully. The multinationals, or so called big chip companies, joyfully release theirs, the local SMEs competing too. Oh! I’m not left out – my father’s generator. I heard my country Nigeria has only four percent (4%) of its land mass as forests, far below the international requirement of twenty five percent (25%). Everywhere I turn, to the left or right, especially when traveling to my hometown, and even yours too, I hardly see those tall trees I used to see when I was younger. My government and her people have earned some of their wealth through illegal logging of those trees.  Now, when I breathe out carbon dioxide, where are the trees to take it in? When I need my air, fresh and pure, no more trees to help. The greenhouse effect is here with us, even the ozone layer is crying out for help. The chloroflouro carbons are depleting its layer, and now we all too are crying because, the consequence of this is climate change. The seasons have changed. Please help, plant these trees, plant two for every one fell. Afforestation, stop greenhouse emission.”

SM4CC SERIES: UNOFFICIAL END RIO+ 20 – OCCUPY RIO+ 20

The last post under the series attempted to summarize what to expect, going forward after the Rio+ 20 conference. That was the official version because while, Brazil played host to various heads of state, government officials and high level representatives, who deliberated and reached various accords and resolutions towards a greener earth, some other “stakeholders” were present and had their own opinions, which had to be heard and were voiced, maybe not in the best possible of ways. They occupied!

It is no longer news that a protest of sort was staged during the Rio+ 20 conference. This protest was led and held by a coalition of NGOs, civil societies, bloggers etc. Searching the internet, I came across a document called People’s Petition, (link is below) which encapsulates some of the ideas and notions behind the protest. Also, below are various links to interesting views and reports of and about the protests.

In Nigeria, the stirrings started when it became news that the president of the nation attended the conference with a delegation of one hundred and sixteen (116) people. Now, it is uncertain if this is true or not as no verifiable source has come forward to lay claim to this fact of the President travelling with sixty three (63) officials from the Ministries of Environment, Foreign Affairs, National Planning and Petroleum Resources, amongst governors, personal aides etc.

While the strong Nigerian delegation might have being impressive, and also considering “…President Jonathan rose to the occasion and spoke passionately, first, about Nigeria’s role in confronting the massive ecological challenges posed by the shrinking of Lake Chad and secondly, about rapid desertification...”, Nigerians were not happy at all! The delegation left the country hours after violence and counter violence had reportedly resulted in over seventy four (74) dead and hundreds injured in the northern part of the country.

“…On Lake Chad, Nigeria is leading the initiative to re-channel the Ubangi River in Central Africa into the Chad Basin under the Inter-Basin Water Transfer scheme. Nigeria has already provided USD5million out of the USD6million required for the feasibility study. In the same manner, to forestall desertification, Nigeria is at the forefront of the Great Green Wall for Sahara Initiative which is an integrated approach to check desertification and depletion of natural resource in the Sahel...”

Despite these strides by Nigeria in global environmental issues, Nigeria still has a lot to deal with. The grievances of the people are many as evidenced by “…I speak for the Nigerian people. The President of Nigeria speaks for the oil companies and private interests…the Nigerian President represents the cabal. You don’t have to be in Rio to make change happen…you can start in Nigeria if you really wanted change…”

While I am quite unsure as to whom represented Nigeria amongst the protesters, what I am sure of is, they were quite a number of protesters from other countries too, who all came together and occupied. An impromptu protest took place at the official venue of the conference. There were speeches, songs and a ritual tearing of the official UN negotiating text by the protesters. The UN paper “the future we want” was rejected and labeled the “the future we bought”.

“…the Rio+20 final document was marked by general frustration, with many voices denouncing its lack of ambition, urgency, and real commitment to the environment. While leaders of nation-states paid lip service to the document, members of civil society and NGOs threatened to remove their support to the final statement...” This, led to the draft of the People’s Petition, amongst others which include a monitoring body made up of youth groups and CSOs.

The people have spoken, and have done so with a loud voice from all over the globe. It is now left to the government, multinationals and all concerned to take heed, as we jointly protect the environment, creating the future WE want and safeguarding it for generations yet unborn.

Sources

1. People's Petiton

2. http://occupywallst.org/article/occupiers-disrupt-closing-press-brief-rio20-earth-/

3. http://occupytheearth.net/index.php/occupy/occupy-rio20

4. azeenarh.wordpress.com

5. www.ynaija.com

SM4CC SERIES: OFFICIAL END OF RIO+ 20 – THE FUTURE WE WANT

The Rio+ 20 Conference has come to an end! This post would attempt to summarize the final resolution; which I must say is quite a lengthy read – two hundred and eighty three (283) points in all, reached at the conference. The link to the actual document can be found below, please take out time to read it.

The first paragraph; “our common vision”, basically has the heads of state and government and high level representatives reaffirming their commitment to sustainable development and eradication of poverty, which is a means to this. They also reaffirmed their commitment to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and a whole lot of other things.

The next paragraph; “renewing political commitment”, has the heads of state and government and high level representatives reaffirming Rio principles and past action plans, assessing the progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development and addressing new and emerging challenges.

“Green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication”, takes into account the fact that there are different approaches, visions, models and tools available to each country, in accordance with its national circumstances and priorities, to achieve sustainable development. Yet, they should be guided by and in accordance with all the Rio principles, Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.

Paragraph four, “institutional framework for sustainable development”, talks about strengthening the three dimensions of sustainable development, strengthening intergovernmental arrangements for sustainable development; the roles of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council and the establishment of a high level political forum and what the forum hopes to achieve.  

The fifth paragraph, “framework for action and follow-up”, makes up for the bulk of the document as it talks about a whole lot of thematic areas and cross-sectoral issues like poverty eradication, food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture, water and sanitation, energy, sustainable tourism, sustainable transport, sustainable cities and human settlements, oceans and seas etc. Special focus was placed on Africa.

“Means of implementation”, is the sixth paragraph and talks about the means of implementation identified in Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, the Monterrey Consensus of the International Conference on Financing for Development and the Doha Declaration on Financing for Development. Finance, technology, capacity building and trade were some of the finer points hampered on.

In conclusion, the final point of the document, “We welcome the commitments voluntarily entered into at Rio+20 and throughout 2012 by all stakeholders and their networks to implement concrete policies, plans, programs, projects and actions to promote sustainable development and poverty eradication. We invite the Secretary-General to compile these commitments and facilitate access to other registries that have compiled commitments, in an internet-based registry. The registry should make information about the commitments fully transparent and accessible to the public, and it should be periodically updated.”

Source

http://www.uncsd2012.org/content/documents/727The%20Future%20We%20Want%2019%20June%201230pm.pdf

SM4CC SERIES: HOW ENVIRONMENT DAY WAS COMMEMORATED IN NIGERIA

Ceteris paribus, the last Saturday of every month is environmental in Lagos, Nigeria (this changes only when there are other more pressing issues for that day, as determined by the government). It’s probably the same in other states across the nation, Kaduna being the only other state of which I am sure of - I grew up there. The government declares a curfew of sorts between the hours of 7am – 10pm, as residents are expected to stay home and clean their houses and surrounding environment. This activity is called environmental sanitation. So, it wouldn’t be a surprise if an average Nigerian like me misconstrues Environment Day to be “environmental” when he/she comes across it. Yes?

World Environment Day (WED) was celebrated a few days back, specifically Tuesday June 5^th, and it was its fortieth (40^th) anniversary. World Environment Day, like Earth Day, is one of the numerous sub programs of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that is geared towards raising global awareness on the need to take positive environmental action that would lead to sustainable development. Hence, environmental, why not being what World Environment Day totally embodies, is a tiny and important part to what the Day stands for and means in Nigeria. I think we deserve a tap on the back for this - government and citizenry.

“…World Environment Day is an annual event that is aimed at being the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action. World Environment Day activities take place all year round but climax on 5 June every year...World Environment Day celebration began in 1972 and has grown to become the one of the main vehicles through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action…the UN Environment Programme is able to personalize environmental issues and enable everyone to realize not only their responsibility, but also their power to become agents for change in support of sustainable and equitable development…”

For the celebrations every year, there is a theme and that for this year is, “Green Economy: Does it include you?” On the pages of WED, UNEPs’ site (link below), is an explanation of the theme, breaking it into two parts. Various aspects of green economy have been written on this blog under the SM4CC series, more to come, kindly read up. The site has this to say concerning the second part of the theme “Does it include you?” “…If the Green Economy is about social equity and inclusiveness then technically it is all about you! The question therefore asks you to find out more about the Green Economy and assess whether, in your country, you are being included in it...” Below are some of the activities, from around the world, showing involvement.

The Rubavu rehabilitation project in the western province of Rwanda, the planting of trees by children of the Tripoli elementary school in collaboration with the Libyan Ministry of Education and UNICEF, documentary screening: 'What I Grasp and What I See' in Panama, Green Economy Seminar in Bangkok, Thailand, UNEP/Mathare Green Heroes: Green Economy Waste Management Initiative organized waste management education and football fun day in Mathare, Nairobi, Kenya, a celebration in Switzerland to mark 10th anniversary of Switzerland's admission to the United Nations, 40th anniversary of UNEP and 20 years of the Rio conference…the list is endless. But, what about Nigeria?

In Lagos, there were plans by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the Lagos State branch of the Nigeria Environmental Society in partnership with the newly established non-governmental organization, Verte Initiative, to hold a one-day event on the environment. Sadly, the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment on Tuesday, understandably cancelled the celebration of the 2012 World Environment Day in the state to honor the victims of the Dana Air plane crash (may their souls rest in peace) and to comply with the cancellation of all state events in order to commiserate with the families and relations of the deceased.

There were activities in other states of the federation such as the World Environment Day celebration organized by the Environmental Health Students’ Association, Department of Environment Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, an Art &Craft Exhibition in Gwarimpa, Abuja by Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC) in collaboration with GreenBack Nigeria etc. The Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia was to lead stakeholders from across the nation in marking the 2012 World Environment Day.  She was also to use the occasion to comment on Nigeria’s preparations for RIO+20. I’m yet to confirm if the event actually held.

 

In conclusion, “…world remains on unsustainable track despite hundreds of internationally agreed goals and objectives ambitious set of sustainability targets can be met, but only with renewed commitment and rapid scaling-up of successful policies…” After environmentals, Lagosians flood the streets and highways with so much speed and alacrity, its apparent they could not wait to leave their homes and go about their various businesses. That’s the attitude we need to possess towards the pursuit of a greener environment and economy. In the words of Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki Moon, "We are all part of the solution".

Sources

www.unep.org/wed

http://nigerianyouthclimatecoalition.blogspot.com

http://www.unicef.org/media/media_62558.html

http://www.punchng.com/news

http://fmi.gov.ng