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Nsofor |
World at the
mercy of climate change –Don
mercy of climate change –Don
By Abdulsalam
Mahmud
Mahmud
Professor
Godwin Nnaemeka Nsofor of Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) said
climate change, which is a change in global weather patterns, is unarguably the
biggest environmental issue of our time.
Godwin Nnaemeka Nsofor of Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) said
climate change, which is a change in global weather patterns, is unarguably the
biggest environmental issue of our time.
The professor
of Cartography and Environment Resource Management, stated this at the 71st
inaugural lecture FUTMINNA recently.
of Cartography and Environment Resource Management, stated this at the 71st
inaugural lecture FUTMINNA recently.
Climate
change, otherwise called global warming, is worldwide in its causes, its
consequences are far reaching in countries like Nigeria, whose biodiversity and
ecosystem are constantly being degraded.
change, otherwise called global warming, is worldwide in its causes, its
consequences are far reaching in countries like Nigeria, whose biodiversity and
ecosystem are constantly being degraded.
He said the
primary cause of global warming is human activities such as felling of trees,
bush burning, and carbon monoxide emission, among others.
primary cause of global warming is human activities such as felling of trees,
bush burning, and carbon monoxide emission, among others.
At the
Caverton Lecture Theatre in Gidan-Kwano campus, the erudite scholar said
climate change is becoming destructive due to the constant abuse of natural
environment, adding that anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are the main
cause of global warming.
Caverton Lecture Theatre in Gidan-Kwano campus, the erudite scholar said
climate change is becoming destructive due to the constant abuse of natural
environment, adding that anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are the main
cause of global warming.
“Climate change is real. It is already
devastating and promises to be more intense in the nearest future. The last
five years have been the hottest on record, and forecast indicates that the trend
will continue in the future.”
devastating and promises to be more intense in the nearest future. The last
five years have been the hottest on record, and forecast indicates that the trend
will continue in the future.”
He
disclosed that tropical forests accounts for 15 per cent of the earth land
cover and contains not less than 25per cent carbon stock on earth surface, but
despite the significant role of carbon storage among other vital benefits to
man’s existence, they are unsustainably deforested with little or no
regeneration plan afterwards.
disclosed that tropical forests accounts for 15 per cent of the earth land
cover and contains not less than 25per cent carbon stock on earth surface, but
despite the significant role of carbon storage among other vital benefits to
man’s existence, they are unsustainably deforested with little or no
regeneration plan afterwards.
“Disasters
associated with climate change include killer heat waves, wildfires, droughts
and flooding, which highlight how vulnerable humanity is to extreme weather. Disasters
in 21st century such as killer heat waves in Europe, India and Pakistan,
wildfires in USA, droughts in Australia and deadly flooding in Mozambique,
Thailand and other South Asian countries, flooding and heat waves in Nigeria in
recent times, are caused by global warming,” he said.
associated with climate change include killer heat waves, wildfires, droughts
and flooding, which highlight how vulnerable humanity is to extreme weather. Disasters
in 21st century such as killer heat waves in Europe, India and Pakistan,
wildfires in USA, droughts in Australia and deadly flooding in Mozambique,
Thailand and other South Asian countries, flooding and heat waves in Nigeria in
recent times, are caused by global warming,” he said.
The don explained
that deforestation leads to emission of carbon dioxide, and other major
constituents of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which then makes change
in land cover is the second largest contributor to global warming.
that deforestation leads to emission of carbon dioxide, and other major
constituents of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which then makes change
in land cover is the second largest contributor to global warming.
“Climate change poses development setback to
Nigeria. With increasing global warming impact, wet areas are experiencing
intermittent flooding and dry areas getting drier. Consequently, ecosystems and
biodiversity which underpin productivity and socio-economic development,
through the provision of many goods and services to people and the
manufacturing sector, will eventually be degraded if urgent steps are not
taken.
Nigeria. With increasing global warming impact, wet areas are experiencing
intermittent flooding and dry areas getting drier. Consequently, ecosystems and
biodiversity which underpin productivity and socio-economic development,
through the provision of many goods and services to people and the
manufacturing sector, will eventually be degraded if urgent steps are not
taken.
“For
instance, the scarcity of or shortage in supply to the food market due to poor
agricultural yield triggers high cost of essential commodities which has
significant impact on the nation’s economy. It will suffice to say climate
change will exacerbate the dwindling rate of essential commodities required for
daily living.
instance, the scarcity of or shortage in supply to the food market due to poor
agricultural yield triggers high cost of essential commodities which has
significant impact on the nation’s economy. It will suffice to say climate
change will exacerbate the dwindling rate of essential commodities required for
daily living.
“Desertification, in which fertile land
becomes barren desert, now affects as much as 60 per cent of Nigeria’s land,
aggravated by drought and climate change. As a result, cattle herders from
northern Nigeria have been pushed farther and farther south to find land to
graze livestock, causing friction with farmers settled in central states. At
least, 10,000 people have died in the resulting clashes since 2011, and many
more have lost their homes.
becomes barren desert, now affects as much as 60 per cent of Nigeria’s land,
aggravated by drought and climate change. As a result, cattle herders from
northern Nigeria have been pushed farther and farther south to find land to
graze livestock, causing friction with farmers settled in central states. At
least, 10,000 people have died in the resulting clashes since 2011, and many
more have lost their homes.
“Global
warming also has regional implication. Across the Sahel, more than 80 per cent of people depend on natural resources for
their livelihoods, according to the UN. As water and farmland become scarcer,
land conflicts in countries with strong ethnic divides are poised to get far
worse. Millions more have been displaced, with many joining the flow of
migrants to Europe.”
warming also has regional implication. Across the Sahel, more than 80 per cent of people depend on natural resources for
their livelihoods, according to the UN. As water and farmland become scarcer,
land conflicts in countries with strong ethnic divides are poised to get far
worse. Millions more have been displaced, with many joining the flow of
migrants to Europe.”
The
university don, further disclosed that the results of climate change awareness
survey recently conducted by British World Service Trust revealed that an
average Nigerian is not aware of climate change despite its impact on our
day-to-day activities.
university don, further disclosed that the results of climate change awareness
survey recently conducted by British World Service Trust revealed that an
average Nigerian is not aware of climate change despite its impact on our
day-to-day activities.
“It is
gratifying to note that the international community and major companies are
striving to promote green technology in order to tackle global warming. To this
end, Federal Government should gather relevant technical information required
for formulating holistic climate change policies in Nigeria.
gratifying to note that the international community and major companies are
striving to promote green technology in order to tackle global warming. To this
end, Federal Government should gather relevant technical information required
for formulating holistic climate change policies in Nigeria.
Also, the Nigerian Meteorological
Agency (NIMET) should pioneer ways to help communities adapt to challenges like
rising sea levels, severe storms and more frequent flooding. I suggest that the
states Government and FG support the development of new ways of farming that
support a healthy environment; minimize climate impacts and create a better
quality of life for farmers, and the nation at large. Government should also
find a solution to the present illegal practices of gas flaring in oil fields
in the Niger Delta.”
Agency (NIMET) should pioneer ways to help communities adapt to challenges like
rising sea levels, severe storms and more frequent flooding. I suggest that the
states Government and FG support the development of new ways of farming that
support a healthy environment; minimize climate impacts and create a better
quality of life for farmers, and the nation at large. Government should also
find a solution to the present illegal practices of gas flaring in oil fields
in the Niger Delta.”