The Urgent Call to Action on Climate Change: Lessons for Nigeria from Wildfires in Europe and the United States

The Urgent Call to Action on Climate Change: Lessons for Nigeria from Wildfires in Europe and the United States

By Dr. Enoch Adewunmi Oyeduntan

In 2023, there was an obvious and alarming reality as flames burn across the US and Europe: climate change is a real and present threat. These catastrophic fires highlight how urgently we must work together to save our world by resulting in major fatalities, property damage, and community dislocation. Nigeria may clearly and compellingly learn from these disasters. A heartbreaking reminder of the actual and palpable effects of these environmental catastrophes is provided by the terrible loss of eighteen lives in a wildfire in northeastern Greece. The dire situation of our environment is highlighted by the firefighting forces’ struggles to put out several fires as Europe struggles with an unprecedented late-summer warmth.

Still, the problem with climate change goes beyond isolated areas. Our own climate-related issues in Nigeria need immediate attention and action. The consequences of climate change are obvious and getting worse, from the frequency of floods to the northward creeping deserts. Nigeria has many different levels of climate change vulnerability. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) reports that approximately 178 local government areas (LGAs) in 32 of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are under extremely probable flood risk zones. Furthermore, endangering Nigeria’s vast coastline, which stretches over 830 miles, are floods, erosion, and pollution. Already struggling with the terrible consequences of oil contamination, coastline erosion poses a further threat to the homes and livelihoods of communities in the Niger Delta. Though a mainstay of the economy, Nigeria’s oil sector has also been a major cause of environmental damage. Particularly in the Niger Delta, oil spills have seriously damaged nearby ecosystems, tainted water supplies, and negatively impacted the health and way of life of nearby people. Stricter laws and the accountability of oil companies for environmental harm are necessary for the government to lessen these effects.

Another urgent worry is the desertification-related decline of forests. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reports that just half of the forests that were there in 2007 are still in impacted regions. By making fewer trees able to collect carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, this fast deforestation makes climate change worse. Driven by agriculture, logging, and urban growth, deforestation in many regions of Nigeria is still going strong. In addition to adding to carbon emissions, this loss of forest cover also jeopardises biodiversity and upsets regional climates.

Reforestation initiatives and sustainable forest management techniques must take centre stage in order to solve these issues. Maybe the Nigerian government has realised these dangers and is starting to take action to counteract them. By means of massive tree planting, projects like the Great Green Wall seek to counter desertification by recovering fertile soil in northern states such as Bauchi, Jigawa, and Sokoto. Vice President Kashim Shettima underlined that the administration is dedicated to tackling climate change by working with pertinent people and organisations in order to create climate resilience in a comprehensive manner. All the same, one hopes that these steps go beyond lip service. The situation is urgent; hence, these projects must be aggressively pursued and developed. Apart from planting trees, Nigeria has to deal with serious problems including deforestation, carbon emissions, and unsolved oil spills that keep deteriorating the environment and jeopardising human health.

Nigeria can clearly learn from the wildfires in the US and Europe: prompt and decisive action is required. A changeover to renewable energy sources is essential. With its plenty of sunshine, Nigeria has a great deal of solar energy potential. Our carbon footprint may be reduced, energy independence promoted, and green employment created by switching from fossil fuels to solar and wind power.

Another essential step is to increase energy efficiency. Our houses and offices can use less energy and pay less for utilities if their insulation is improved. In Sub-Saharan Africa, where energy access is difficult, making the most use of the resources at hand is critical. Making little changes like closing drafts and utilising energy-efficient appliances can add up.  Greener forms of transportation can drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions. Our dependence on fossil fuels can be reduced by walking, cycling, or taking public transport in place of driving. Promotion of public transit and non-motorised transportation alternatives could revolutionise urban living in places like Lagos, where traffic congestion is a daily battle.

Also crucial is adopting sustainable meals. Reducing meat intake and moving towards plant-based diets can help decrease the environmental effects of food production. Diets high in plants need less land and water and emit fewer greenhouse gases. Rich in veggies and grains, African food fits in perfectly with this environmentally friendly strategy. Encouraging companies to put sustainability first can effect larger change. We promote sustainable operations in other firms by selecting to purchase from those who follow eco-friendly procedures. This ability of the consumer to influence the market can cause big changes.

Nigeria’s economy and environment are strengthened when local farmers and craftspeople use sustainable practices. It is imperative to engage in climate campaigning. Combining our efforts with those of campaigners and activists raises our voices and fortifies the drive for legislative changes. Community initiatives and grassroots movements have the power to sway legislators and propel climate-related legislation. In Sub-Saharan Africa, where the immediate consequences of climate change—droughts and floods, for example—are evident, such lobbying is vital.

One direct approach to addressing climate change is to participate in tree planting projects. Among the main greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide is absorbed by trees, which also contributes to the restoration of regional ecosystems. Environmental advantages from involvement in reforestation efforts might last a lifetime. The ambitious afforestation initiatives of Nigeria, notably the Great Green Wall, are a positive step. Water conservation must be practiced deliberately. Being a priceless resource, water conservation helps to fend off droughts and water shortages made worse by climate change. Reducing water waste, utilising water-efficient fixtures, and addressing leaks are all relatively easy things to do. In areas of sub-Saharan Africa where water shortages are already a major problem, this approach is crucial.

An additional important step is to recycle and compost as much as possible to reduce trash. Waste diverted from landfills can lower methane emissions and protect natural resources. An improved environment results from composting organic waste and recycling things like paper, plastic, and glass. There are major environmental advantages to be had in our communities from encouraging recycling initiatives and teaching people about trash management.

Our time and financial support from environmental groups fortify the larger climate movement. These organisations depend on public support to carry out their essential work in the fields of public education, policy advocacy, and conservation. Helping regional environmental NGOs in Nigeria and throughout Africa can increase their influence. By disseminating insightful knowledge, materials, and information within our networks, we can encourage others to act.

Through spreading awareness of the value of climate preservation to our friends, family, and communities, we can assemble a more powerful group committed to sustainable living. Strong instruments for distributing this message are social media and community forums. Our worries are confirmed by recent scientific findings, which quadruple the likelihood of seeing catastrophic wildfires like those that devastated Canada. Our vulnerability is starkly brought home by the size and destruction of the Canadian wildfire season of 2023, which has eclipsed all prior records. Lives and ecosystems are at risk as human-induced climate change makes fire-prone conditions worse, putting lives and ecosystems at risk.

Through an attribution study, a group of researchers from Canada, the UK, and the Netherlands found that our warming planet has made previously unheard-of fire-prone weather more frequent. It is clear from this shift from exceptional to commonplace how urgently intervention is needed. Let’s go forward, determined to tackle this problem. We can change the future course of our world with our decisions, our voices, and our combined dedication. Our voices raised in support of our climate help to create a future that is safe for future generations as well as for us. We have to move quickly, and working together, we can change things.