Climate change has been an issue that remains on the lips of stakeholders, activist, environmentalist etc. The notion is that population growth affects the climate, but how true is this?
According to the United Nation in 1998,world population will be between 2 and 4 billion more people by 2040.overpopulation is known to be a major cause of increase in global gas emission, efforts towards green energy sources ,reduction in global emission of carbon dioxide will only yield maximum result if population grows steadily and stabilizes.
There is a huge difference in the population growth of developed nations and developing Nations, Developed nations contribute a higher percentage to global emission of green house gases and at the same time their population growth is not as high as the developing nations that contribute a smaller percentage to the emission of these harmful gases. This puts a question mark on premise that population growth affects the climate, but the truth remains that the continued increase in population increases the demand for these sources of energy, increases deforestation and other human activities that affects the environment.
It is true that the poorest countries that would be most affected by the effects of climate change, making children and women most vulnerable, and if there is a possible link between population growth and climate change, how do you educate an uneducated African man that believes he needs to have more children because his wife is yet to give him a male child? How do you discourage child marriage and empower the women to make the right choice about their reproductive health?
All these question begs for answers and shows the challenge climate change poses has so many faces to it and requires an all round solution, it shows that the solution lies in the hand of stakeholders and individuals, to the stake holders we need good education, proper health care, infrastructures and to individuals we need to make more informed choices and realize that our choices affects not only our environment but the future generation.
For: greenernaija
Olaleye Taiwo
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
NIGERIA'S CHANGING CLIMATE
In recent times Nigeria has experienced a dramatic change in its weather pattern, while growing up we could predict the dry season and the wet season, but times have changed and the issue of climate change is no longer alien to us.
Nigeria is known to be one of the few countries in the world with little or no natural disaster ,we do not have earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunami or tornadoes, we have in the past considered ourselves lucky to be blessed but the world has become a global village, not only has Nigeria witnessed shrinking of its borders, thanks to information and technology, we are now in the age of twitter and face book where nothing is considered sacred, in the same vein we can no longer separate ourselves from the rest of the world, climate issues are no longer sacred to the island of Kiribati, Pakistan or Somalia, it has come knocking on our doors and we have to respond to its call.
Climate change is undeniably here with us in Nigeria, we have the recent flooding in Lagos and Ibadan, the absence of rain in the North, leading to droughts and crop failure, it is estimated that Nigeria is currently losing about 351,000 hectares of land mass to desert encroachment annually, impacting negatively on food supply. There is the ocean surge in our beaches caused by the rising sea level which is one of the impacts of climate change. Alpha Beach and Bar Beach have both witnessed ocean surges this year, leading the residents seek for help from the Lagos state government.
Lagos our commercial nerve center is only three meters above sea level, and the recent flooding had a huge effect on both lives and properties, with the trend of things, climate change is not a distance phenomenon, it affects us every day. It is no longer news that climate change will have a bigger impact on developing Nation, which Nigeria is part of, it is time for Nigerians and its leaders to realize that the future generation deserves a sustainable environment, an environment they can thrive in, without an outa of doubt ,there is a lot of work to be done.
The poverty level in Nigeria is very high, an average Nigerian cannot afford to spend a dollar a day, imagine the impact of climate change on food supply, the drought in Somalia is a testimony to this fact, the drought has claimed so many live ,many of whom are children. The provision of Infrastructure such as good road network, proper drainages, constant power supply, and affordable health care etc. will perhaps equip Nigerians to deal more effectively with the changing climate conditions.
The work to be done is not limited to our leaders alone, it involved Nigerians as responsible citizen, we have certain choices to make and these choices could either make or mar the future of Nigeria as a country, we need to know that the forest nature has bestowed upon us is for a purpose, tree felling is one of the major causes of global warming and Nigerians must realize that these trees have a part to play in sustaining our environment, we can be responsible enough to clear our drainages, desist from throwing dirt in the drainages so that water can flow freely when rain falls. We must be responsible enough to stop building on canal paths.
We can be responsible enough to tell others about climate change, and its effects on our lives because I believe one can reach a thousand and two can reach ten thousand. Nigeria! Let us rise like the giants we are and create a sustainable environment for the future generation.
Olaleye Taiwo
Follow on twitter @ greenernaija
Nigeria is known to be one of the few countries in the world with little or no natural disaster ,we do not have earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunami or tornadoes, we have in the past considered ourselves lucky to be blessed but the world has become a global village, not only has Nigeria witnessed shrinking of its borders, thanks to information and technology, we are now in the age of twitter and face book where nothing is considered sacred, in the same vein we can no longer separate ourselves from the rest of the world, climate issues are no longer sacred to the island of Kiribati, Pakistan or Somalia, it has come knocking on our doors and we have to respond to its call.
Climate change is undeniably here with us in Nigeria, we have the recent flooding in Lagos and Ibadan, the absence of rain in the North, leading to droughts and crop failure, it is estimated that Nigeria is currently losing about 351,000 hectares of land mass to desert encroachment annually, impacting negatively on food supply. There is the ocean surge in our beaches caused by the rising sea level which is one of the impacts of climate change. Alpha Beach and Bar Beach have both witnessed ocean surges this year, leading the residents seek for help from the Lagos state government.
Lagos our commercial nerve center is only three meters above sea level, and the recent flooding had a huge effect on both lives and properties, with the trend of things, climate change is not a distance phenomenon, it affects us every day. It is no longer news that climate change will have a bigger impact on developing Nation, which Nigeria is part of, it is time for Nigerians and its leaders to realize that the future generation deserves a sustainable environment, an environment they can thrive in, without an outa of doubt ,there is a lot of work to be done.
The poverty level in Nigeria is very high, an average Nigerian cannot afford to spend a dollar a day, imagine the impact of climate change on food supply, the drought in Somalia is a testimony to this fact, the drought has claimed so many live ,many of whom are children. The provision of Infrastructure such as good road network, proper drainages, constant power supply, and affordable health care etc. will perhaps equip Nigerians to deal more effectively with the changing climate conditions.
The work to be done is not limited to our leaders alone, it involved Nigerians as responsible citizen, we have certain choices to make and these choices could either make or mar the future of Nigeria as a country, we need to know that the forest nature has bestowed upon us is for a purpose, tree felling is one of the major causes of global warming and Nigerians must realize that these trees have a part to play in sustaining our environment, we can be responsible enough to clear our drainages, desist from throwing dirt in the drainages so that water can flow freely when rain falls. We must be responsible enough to stop building on canal paths.
We can be responsible enough to tell others about climate change, and its effects on our lives because I believe one can reach a thousand and two can reach ten thousand. Nigeria! Let us rise like the giants we are and create a sustainable environment for the future generation.
Olaleye Taiwo
Follow on twitter @ greenernaija
BAN KI-MOON ON CLIMATE CHANGE
The United Nation Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon recently addressed the issue of climate change at a conference in Australia ,Ban ki-Moon expressed great concern about the climate change issue and its effects on lives he stated: “but the facts are clear: global green house gas emissions continue to rise, millions of people are suffering from climate impact. Climate change is very real”
Ban Ki-Moon spoke about the pacific nation of Kiribati and expressed the fears of parents and children who dread they might wake up one day and everything would have been swept away by the rising sea. The Island of Kiribati is just four meters (13feet) above sea level.
The time for the renewal of the Kyoto protocol which expires 2012 is now. Kyoto protocol remains the only global deal aimed at reducing the emission of green house gases.
The current trend of climate disasters in recent times shows the time for change has come; there is a need for countries to renew their commitments to the Kyoto protocol in order to protect the future generation. Countries like China and United States should please commit to the protocol and help preserve the environment.
Quotes: ‘Climate change is not about tomorrow. It is lapping at our feet-quite literally in Kiribati and elsewhere.’ Ban ki-moon
Olaleye Taiwo
For: greenernaija
Ban Ki-Moon spoke about the pacific nation of Kiribati and expressed the fears of parents and children who dread they might wake up one day and everything would have been swept away by the rising sea. The Island of Kiribati is just four meters (13feet) above sea level.
The time for the renewal of the Kyoto protocol which expires 2012 is now. Kyoto protocol remains the only global deal aimed at reducing the emission of green house gases.
The current trend of climate disasters in recent times shows the time for change has come; there is a need for countries to renew their commitments to the Kyoto protocol in order to protect the future generation. Countries like China and United States should please commit to the protocol and help preserve the environment.
Quotes: ‘Climate change is not about tomorrow. It is lapping at our feet-quite literally in Kiribati and elsewhere.’ Ban ki-moon
Olaleye Taiwo
For: greenernaija
Friday, September 2, 2011
THE FIGHT AGAINST MALARIA AND GLOBAL WARMING
Malaria is a common phenomenon in Africa, that has claimed millions of lives, According to World Health Organization (WHO), “every 45 seconds a child dies of Malaria in Africa”, in pregnancy both mother and child are at the risk of malaria, this poses a challenge to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals of reduction child of mortality rate and improved maternal health by 2015.
The transmission of malaria is greatly influenced by climate conditions favorable to mosquitoes because warmer climate condition creates an avenue for mosquitoes to thrive and multiply. In the past wealthy aristocrats would go on the hill side during summer to stay away from diseases caused by warmer climate conditions.
A very good drainage system (which most developing countries lack) will serve as a means of reducing the proliferation of mosquitoes as the climate gets warmer. A good drainage system will also enhance free flow of water during heavy rain fall and prevent mosquitoes from breeding in stagnant water. Public health intervention and good economy can help deter these effects.
This shows that the least developed countries of the world will be worst hit by the effects of climate change. African leaders must realize that there is a lot of work to do in order to fight both malaria and global warming. We must join hands to a create sustainable environment for the future generation.
Follow on twitter @greenernaija
Olaleye Taiwo
For: greenernaija
THE FIGHT AGAINST MALARIA AND GLOBAL WARMING
Malaria is a common phenomenon in Africa, that has claimed millions of lives, According to World Health Organization (WHO), “every 45 seconds a child dies of Malaria in Africa”, in pregnancy both mother and child are at the risk of malaria, this poses a challenge to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals of reduction child of mortality rate and improved maternal health by 2015.
The transmission of malaria is greatly influenced by climate conditions favorable to mosquitoes because warmer climate condition creates an avenue for mosquitoes to thrive and multiply. In the past wealthy aristocrats would go on the hill side during summer to stay away from diseases caused by warmer climate conditions.
A very good drainage system (which most developing countries lack) will serve as a means of reducing the proliferation of mosquitoes as the climate gets warmer. A good drainage system will also enhance free flow of water during heavy rain fall and prevent mosquitoes from breeding in stagnant water. Public health intervention and good economy can help deter these effects.
This shows that the least developed countries of the world will be worst hit by the effects of climate change. African leaders must realize that there is a lot of work to do in order to fight both malaria and global warming. We must join hands to a create sustainable environment for the future generation.
Follow on twitter @greenernaija
Olaleye Taiwo
For: greenernaija
IBADAN FLOODING AND CLIMATE CHANGE
IBADAN FLOODING AND CLIMATE CHANGE
The recent flooding the south western part of Nigeria has claimed lives ,most of whom are children who drowned in the flood, the torrential rain led to the collapse of bridges and the loss of lives and properties. The residence of the largest city in the sub Saharan Africa have had to deal with bad leadership over the years with nothing to show as the dividend of democracy.
The city’s lack of infrastructure and good drainage system is to be blame for the huge impact the flood had on the residents, the question on the lips of Nigerians is that ,is it possible to have lessened the impact of this flood on lives and properties? My answer is yes! If our leaders take their jobs seriously and take a cue from the Lagos flooding In July, maybe the effects of the flooding would have been reduced.
When the Lagos flooding took place in July, it was apparent that the blocked drainages contributed immensely to the flood, one would have expected that stakeholders in other states would have taken steps to prepare for such occurrence.
The truth is that we cannot ignore climate change, it is here with us and we have to deal with it, our leaders have to realize that the climate we had ten years ago is no longer what we have now, some changes have taken place and we have to take cognizance of that.
It is better to take precautions before disasters occur, it is easier that way, if our laws were working building on canal path would not be possible, it is after disasters occur that we start the demolition of buildings on canal paths. Let’s take precautions before disasters occur, let us fight climate change.
QUOTES: “The truth is that we cannot ignore climate change, it is here with us and we have to deal with it”: follow on twitter @greenernaija
Olaleye Taiwo
For: greenernaija
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