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
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