News Flash: Global Climate Report from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed July 2019 was the hottest month ever on earth.
Many persons have heard or read about the term Climate Change or Global Warming, but not many understand the causes, effects and possible solutions.
Global warming is simply a phenomenon of change in global or regional climate patterns. This change is caused majorly by excessive levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, produced by the use of fossil fuels.
Sadly, the average temperature of the earth has sporadically increased by 0.8°C (1.44°F) in comparison to the late 19th century. At the current rate of greenhouse gas emissions, studies project a possible increase in temperature to 5.3°C in the next century. What is the world doing about this frightening statistics? Where is Africa in all of these? – are questions that beg to be asked.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the highest authority constituted to curbing the menace of climate change, affirm it is still possible to restrain global temperature increase to 1.5°C – if, and only if, “rapid and far-reaching transitions in land, energy, industry, buildings, transport and cities.”
The consequences for sub-Saharan Africa would be devastating with the worsening climate extremes been experienced over the past decades. African nations close to the equator such as; Gabon, Republic of Congo, DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya and Somalia are expected to experience hotter nights, frequent and prolonged heat waves, droughts and crop failures. According to predictions by the IPCC, Central Africa will experience torrential downpour and Western Sahel will experience severe droughts. West Africa has also been flagged as climate-change red zone.
It is important to note, given the geographical position, no continent will be more severely affected by climate change as Africa. It has been described as a threat multiplier, aggravating existing challenges of stunted economic growth, poverty and insecurity. Conflicts have ensued between crop farmers and cattle herders due to drought and desert encroachment.
Thankfully, many nations are beginning to recognize the threat global warming poses. And so, in 2015 an unprecedented step was taken by 184 countries by signing the Paris Agreement, pledging to commit resources to limit global average temperature to well below 1.5°C. These nations include all African countries save Angola, Eritrea and South Sudan.
Furthermore, the support of the United Nations in reducing vulnerability and building resilience through ecosystem based adaptation for food security in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique should be sustained. The development of renewable sources of energy should be encouraged across Africa.
Recently, the Ethiopian government announced that its citizens had achieved an unprecedented feat by planting 353 million trees in just over 24 hours as part of concerted efforts to combat the ravaging effects of global warming.
Research by Mike Berners-Lee, a science writer, shows that about 5.5 billion out of the 9 billion tonnes of plastic ever manufactured are dumped on land or sea. In Senegal, public awareness about the dangers of plastic wastes is growing tremendously. Unlike before when laws banning the use of the thin polythene bags were enacted, but not enforced. Now, the “zero-waste” policy has been enforced and in full swing. Plastic straws are replaced with metal ones and reusable glass bottles will substitute plastic ones.
Nigeria has taken commendable steps in terms of policy development in tackling the issue of climate change. It has participated and ratified in several global convention strategies on climate change.
A noteworthy initiative, Building Nigeria’s Response to Climate Change (BNRCC) is a project aimed at building informed responses to climate change in Nigeria by;
Adaptation Research Component: In Nigeria and other developing nations, the knowledge of climate change and technical strategies to combat it are highly improbable. Hence, the need for research and scientific studies to help understand the past, present and future variations of climate changes in Nigeria.
Pilot Projects Component: This is focused on reducing the vulnerability and improving the capacity of communities to cope with the impacts of climate change. Community Situation Assessment and Community Needs Assessment are part of programs established to ameliorate the conditions posed by global warming.
Other components of the BNRCC projects includes; Adaptation Policy Component and Communication, Outreach and Networking Component.
Still on related development, it might interest you to know a globally renowned clothing line brand, Adidas sold over a million shoes made out of ocean plastics. It was said a shoe equaled 16.5 bottles and 13 gram gill nets. Consequently one gill net equated 813 pairs of shoes.
Even as Africa drifts towards a capitalist driven economy, we must understand the noblest form of entrepreneurship is one where you make profit and simultaneously have a positive impact on our planet.
Our business should make the world a safer and better place.
Individuals, companies and government around the world, particularly in Africa should ensure our actions does not make the world unsustainable for the next generation. Strictly speaking, we owe them that much.
Let’s fight against global warming like our lives depends on it — because it actually does. Below are some little steps you and I can take head-on in the war against global warming.
1. Tree Planting: This is one of our most potent weapon in this fight. But sadly, many are unaware of it. Currently, the Amazon Rainforest, which is considered to be the ‘lungs of the earth’ is burning at a record rate. This spells doom for everyone. Did you know that one tree can absorb over one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime?
2. Consume Less Hot Water: By using less amount of hot water in our everyday activities like bathing and laundry, we can save more than 500 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.
3. Generate Less Waste: By reducing our waste generation especially from our domestic activities, we can save 1000 pounds of carbon dioxide. On the other hand, if you can’t help generating excess waste, try recycling them.
4. Switch off Electronic Devices: This might sound strange but just by simply turning off your computer, television, loud speakers, stereo when not in use will save thousands of carbon dioxide every year.
5. Change Your Bulb: It’s advisable to use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of the conventional neon buls in order to save over 200 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.
Conclusively, we must understand that to be saved from hell on earth climate change poses, we all must preach the gospel of energy saving and practice it.
Thoughtful