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World Environment Day: UN sounds alarm on plastic pollution crisis, Kano urges collective action

Michael Simire
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World Environment Day: UN sounds alarm on plastic pollution crisis, Kano urges collective action

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) says about 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced worldwide every year.

Antonio Guterres
UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres

UNEP, in a report to mark the 2025 World Environment Day on June 5, said half of this plastic was designed to be used only once, and only 10 per cent was recycled.

It said between 19 and 23 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems annually, and without urgent action, this figure is expected to rise by 50 per cent by 2040.

The UN environment agency stressed that plastic pollution was contaminating every corner of the planet, threatening ecosystems, wildlife and human health.

Microplastics are found in food, water and air, with the average person estimated to ingest over 50,000 plastic particles each year and far more when inhalation is included.

UNEP warned that if the climate crisis goes unaddressed, with plastic pollution as a major driver, air pollution levels exceeding safe thresholds could rise by 50 per cent within a decade.

According to the UN agency, plastic pollution in marine and freshwater environments may triple by 2040.

To rally momentum, UNEP is leading the 52nd annual World Environment Day on 5 June, the world’s largest platform for environmental outreach.

This year’s commemoration is hosted by Jeju, Republic of Korea, under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution.

Since launching in 2018, the UNEP-led campaign has advocated for a just and inclusive transition away from plastic dependency.

World Environment Day brings together governments, businesses, communities and individuals in a shared mission to protect and restore the planet.

The day also advances progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those linked to climate action and sustainable consumption.

A major focus of the day is the ongoing push for a global treaty to end plastic pollution. Countries are currently negotiating an international, legally binding agreement, with the next round of talks scheduled for August.

UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, called for an “ambitious, credible and just agreement” that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics, reflects community needs, aligns with the SDGs and is implemented quickly and fully.

UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen, echoed the call, urging nations to unite around innovative solutions and alternatives to plastic use.

World Environment Day serves as a catalyst for action, driving attention toward the UN Environment Assembly later this year.

Hopes are high that nations will finalise concrete steps to curb plastic pollution and address the broader climate emergency at the forthcoming assembly.

Meanwhile, the Kano State Government has called for collective action among individuals, organisations and governments to combat plastic pollution.

The call comes as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2025 World Environment Day.

The state Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahiru Hashim, made the call at an event to mark the day on Wednesday, June 4, in Kano, the state capital.

He was represented by his Special Assistant on Environmental Sanitation, Abdullahi Shehu -Bichi.

Hashim said the World Environment Day, established by the United Nations in 1974, was marked annually on June 5 to raise global awareness and encourage action for environmental protection.

“The theme for 2025, ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’, focuses attention on the urgent need to reduce the use of single-use plastics and to adopt sustainable alternatives,” he said.

He noted that though plastic was a cheap, lightweight and durable material, it posed serious threat to the environment due to its long degradation period.

“Most plastics are used only once and discarded within minutes, ending up in landfills, water bodies or as litter.

“The pollution takes various forms from marine debris and microplastics in water to plastic netting that endangers aquatic life,” he said.

Hashim said the theme stressed the importance of coordinated efforts to tackle the plastic menace, which affected not only the environment but also human health.

Earlier, Mr. Rahama Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office, said plastic pollution remained one of the biggest threats to the planet, with over 400 million tonnes produced annually.

He warned that much of this plastic ended up in rivers, oceans, soil, and even the food people consumed.

Farah said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution,” was a global call to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics while seeking greener alternatives.

“In Kano today, we are planting trees and engaging in plastic trash collection as part of our activities to mark the day,” he said.

“These efforts align with UNICEF’s global Green Rising initiative, which mobilises youth for climate action through volunteering, green skills development, and environmental advocacy,” he explained.

By Tiamiyu Arobani and Muhammad Nur Tijani

World Environment Day: Hold plastic producing brands accountable for their waste, EDEN urges govt

Michael Simire
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World Environment Day: Hold plastic producing brands accountable for their waste, EDEN urges govt

As the world celebrates the 2025 World Environment Day with this year’s theme, “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution”, Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) is calling on governments at all levels to focus on laws and policies that control plastic production, as a way of curbing its danger to environmental and human health.

Prince Chima Williams
Prince Chima Williams

Executive Director of EDEN, Chima Williams, while speaking on this year’s theme, stated that the uncontrolled production of single-use plastics and the uncontrolled release of plastic debris onto the land and marine ecosystems are facilitating widespread plastic pollution.

According to him, single-use plastics are dangerous to the environment due to their massive number in the ecosystem, which has found its way to our rivers, water ways, rivulets and drainages, destroying natural habitats and causing flooding across the country.

“Scientifically, it takes at least 400 years for a single-use plastic to decompose. It can only break down into micro plastics, polluting water and food sources. Also, the plastic production and disposal processes releases greenhouse gases which is also a major contributor to climate change.

“Plastic waste contaminates soil and water sources, posing as a threat to food production and human health. In rural areas, plastic pollution disrupts farming activities, as plastic waste impedes farming and contaminates farmlands. Furthermore, plastic waste in water bodies threatens aquatic lives, as marine animals ingest or become entangled in plastic debris, leading to injury and death.”

Williams pointed out that plastic waste will continue to be a hot environmental issue in Nigeria because production and distribution rates are not checked or regulated. He added that plastic pollution is bound to worsen in the country, due to the ever-increasing population that also drives consumption rates.

While proffering solutions on curbing plastic pollution in Nigeria, Williams called for laws and policies that hold producers accountable for every plastic waste they produce.

“Due to the wide use of plastic in the society, an outright ban on plastic may not be achievable immediately. However, the government can place restrictions on plastic production rates, and also hold companies who use plastics as their source of packaging responsible for the plastic waste they produce.

“Beverage companies and other producing brands can adopt a plastic recall system or engage waste pickers to collect their plastic waste from the environment.”

Williams also called on the government to promote effective waste management systems, encourage zero-waste policies and invest in recycling and repurposing plants that convert waste to other reusable materials.

He also charged CSOs and environmental groups to engage in more awareness campaigns on environmental protection and healthy waste management practices while also encouraging adoption of nature-based solutions as nature has provided effective alternatives to single use plastics.

New scientific evidence points to higher emissions from charcoal consumption for cooking

Michael Simire
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New scientific evidence points to higher emissions from charcoal consumption for cooking

The Project Developer Forum (PD Forum) and leading carbon market experts are calling for a review by the UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism’s (CDM) Board of the science behind the default Wood to Charcoal Conversion Factor (WCCF) and the charcoal emission factors used in carbon credit methodologies.

Charcoal
Charcoal

WCCF measures how much wood is required to produce one ton of charcoal, a key parameter for carbon credit accounting as it determines the deforestation and emissions attributed to charcoal production.

New scientific evidence suggests that the proposed 4:1 default value does not reflect real-world data and could potentially under-credit clean cooking projects across Sub-Saharan Africa. Low emission factors would underestimate the deleterious impact of the charcoal industry on deforestation.

During a webinar hosted by PD Forum on June 4, 2025, Dr. Nordica MacCarty of Oregon State University presented field research from Malawi and Ghana showing that actual WCCFs consistently exceed the current 4:1 default set by CDM Tool 30 and 33. Her study analysed 12 kiln runs in each country, measuring charcoal yield, distribution, and usage inefficiencies across the value chain.

“Our findings clearly show that the majority of emissions and material losses occur during charcoal production, primarily through the release of volatiles, water loss, fines, and wood left at harvest sites,” said Dr. MacCarty. “Actual WCCFs consistently exceeded the conservative 4:1 value. If the goal is accurate emissions accounting, these ground realities must be incorporated into default factors.”

Nick Marshall, Co-Vice Chair of PD Forum, said: “Under the disingenuous label of ‘integrity’, we are seeing the prioritisation of conservative carbon accounting over accuracy. The proposed WCCF default does not reflect sufficient accuracy in the accounting of clean cooking carbon project emissions, leading to an underestimation of their impact which can undermine carbon finance flows to communities that need them most. We are urging the UNFCCC to review this parameter so that it reflects real-world conditions and ensures fair crediting for projects delivering climate solutions to low-income households.

“This is not only about carbon accounting – it’s about fairness and equity. The communities adopting cleaner technologies deserve recognition for their contribution to global climate goals.”

Dr. Rob Bailis from Stockholm Environment Institute added, “”The 4:1 default is not based on actual field data, but rather a misreading of outdated IPCC text. Using 4:1 not only underestimate emission, but it also undermines project viability. If the goal is environmental integrity, we should follow the data. On that basis, 6:1 is a much more defensible default value.”

Nathan Gachugi, Director of Carbon Operations Africa at BURN, explained how conservative defaults limit carbon finance potential: “At BURN, we are seeing firsthand how these conservative defaults are limiting the potential of carbon finance to transform the lives of hundreds of millions of low-income households in Africa. Revising the WCCF and the direct charcoal emission factors to reflect science-backed field data is critical to ensuring climate finance reaches the communities that need it most.”

Traditional low-efficiency kilns in Sub-Saharan Africa consume far more wood than current methodologies account for, yet outdated defaults remain in use. While methodologies like Verra’s VMR0050 and the Clean Cooking Alliance’s CLEAR methodology now recognise a 6:1 WCCF, the CDM Tool 33 and the ICVCM’s Core Carbon Principles take the 4:1 value. These risks underestimating the emissions from upstream charcoal production, disincentivising investment in cleaner technologies and perpetuating unsustainable charcoal practices.

The PD Forum is circulating research to key stakeholders including UNFCCC, ICVCM, Gold Standard, Verra, ICAO, national carbon market authorities, and rating agencies, urging alignment of charcoal emission factors with empirical data.

Ogoni oil spill: A call for faith leaders’ intervention

Michael Simire
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0
Ogoni oil spill: A call for faith leaders’ intervention

For decades, the people of Ogoniland in Nigeria’s Niger Delta have borne the brunt of environmental degradation caused by incessant oil spills. Once lush and fertile, the land has become a toxic shadow of itself. Rivers that once teemed with life are now blackened with crude oil, and the air is heavy with the stench of pollution.

Ecosteward and Humanitarian Foundation (EHF)
A group of leaders from multi-faiths during an event hosted in Abuja by the Ecosteward and Humanitarian Foundation (EHF)

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report of 2011 laid bare the scale of devastation, describing it as one of the world’s worst oil pollution disasters. Yet, more than a decade later, the cleanup process has been slow, marred by bureaucracy and insufficient political will.

The consequences are dire: contaminated drinking water, loss of livelihoods, rising health problems, and the erosion of cultural identity tied to the land. Communities feel abandoned, their cries drowned out by economic interests and political silence. In the face of such injustice, there is an urgent need for moral voices to rise – and faith leaders can no longer remain on the sidelines.

Faith leaders wield immense influence in communities across Nigeria. They are trusted voices who provide hope, direction, and a sense of justice to their congregants. Their intervention is crucial not only in advocating for environmental justice but also in holding government and corporate actors accountable. By framing the oil spill crisis as not just an environmental or political issue but a moral and spiritual one, faith leaders can stir conscience and drive collective action.

Islamic, Christian, and traditional religious leaders must unite to demand a comprehensive and transparent cleanup of Ogoni land, reparations for affected communities, and long-term sustainable development. They can also lead in healing the land – mobilising communities around conservation, environmental awareness, and resilience through faith-inspired initiatives.

The suffering in Ogoni land is not just a regional tragedy – it is a stain on our shared humanity. Now is the time for faith to meet action, for pulpits to echo the cries of the Earth and the poor, and for spiritual leaders to champion the cause of justice for Ogoni and all marginalised communities affected by environmental abuse.

By Nweze Emmanuel Obinna, Director of Programmes, Ecosteward and Humanitarian Foundation (EHF)

World Environment Day: NEST seeks end to plastic pollution for a sustainable Nigeria

Michael Simire
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World Environment Day: NEST seeks end to plastic pollution for a sustainable Nigeria

As the world celebrates the World Environment Day (WED) on Thursday, June 5, 2025, with the theme “Ending Plastic Pollution”, the Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST), a not-for-profit, has endorsed the urgent need to address the global menace of plastic pollution.

Akobi Crescent
Plastic waste pollution in Akobi Crescent, Lagos, Nigeria

The organisation disclosed in a statement authorised by Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Chairman, Board of Directors, that it recognises that this is an issue that humanity can dispense with, without significant loss nor damage to human wellbeing, but with numerous benefits to the environment.

NEST therefore supports ending plastic pollution, he declared.

Nwajiuba submitted: “Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most important global environmental issues. Nigeria is not spared, as evidences stare us in the face. All around our cities, in high, as well as lower income neighborhoods, plastics litter. Streets cluttered with non- biodegradable materials, and the increasing prevalence of micro-plastics in our food chain are clear reminders of the urgent need for bold action.

“What was hitherto an urban problem in Nigeria, now pervades rural areas. In rural streets, markets, farmlands and elsewhere, plastics litter. Nigerians wrap and cook with plastics oblivious of the health risks. Plastic packaging, and single use plastic shopping bags are not just common but all pervading. Disposal of these plastics is also problematic. Open burning by street corners and homestead is common, with adverse consequences for human health, especially respiratory challenges.

“These plastics end in sewers and drainages, creating blockages. They are implicated in flooding in many places. Plastics find their way into rivers, seas and oceans, and adversely affect aquatic lives and health. They also end in farms, adversely affecting soil characteristics and crop yield. This has therefore become an unprecedented threat to ecosystems, human health, and sustainable development.

“Ending plastic pollution does not have to mean end use of plastics. It calls for responsible use and disposal of plastics. We call on everyone to take responsibility for changing the way plastics are made, used, and disposed of.

“Ending plastic pollution calls for urgent actions, and not mere words. All hands should be on deck in this regard.

“Individuals, families, trade groups, market associations, and government, and civil society should urgently embark on measures to end plastic pollution.

“We acknowledge that a few states, notably Lagos state, have started taking action towards ending single use plastic shopping bags. NEST endorses this. We also call on other states of Nigeria to urgently take action along the same line.”

NEST acknowledges that ending plastic pollution necessitates a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond increasing public awareness, adding that it calls for knowledge generation, technological advancement, financial investment, regulatory changes, and community empowerment and inclusiveness.

In advancing this, NEST recommends action in the following ways:

  1. Promoting Sustainable Alternatives by advocating for the adoption of bio- degradable and reusable materials across communities and industry.
  2. Community Education through organizing grassroots initiatives to raise public knowledge of the effects of plastic pollution and workable solutions to cut back on plastic use.
  3. Promoting Policy Advocacy by working with stakeholders and the government to improve waste management, plastic production, and enforcement procedures.
  4. Promoting Research and Innovation via supporting scientific investigations and advancements in recycling and sustainable plastic waste management technology.

A Call to Action for Nigeria

According to NEST, ending plastic pollution is not the responsibility of one institution or sector alone, and every Nigerian must work together to achieve this. It called on the government to enhance waste management infrastructure and expedite the implementation of laws against single-use plastics.

“The Federal Government should revisit its suspension of the Implementation of the Green Taxation that imposed tax on single use plastics,” submitted NEST, adding:

“Again, companies should invest in sustainable alternatives and reduce their use of plastic packaging in order to embrace the circular economy. The 5Rs of waste management – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink – should be embraced by communities and individuals and incorporated into day-to-day activities.

“In conclusion, as we celebrate World Environment Day 2025, we are all encouraged to recommit to eradicating plastic pollution in Nigeria. Through this, we can preserve public health, protect our environment, and guarantee a sustainable future for coming generations by working together via innovation, education, and legislative action.”

Waste managers laud Tinubu’s achievements in environmental sustainability

Michael Simire
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0
Waste managers laud Tinubu’s achievements in environmental sustainability

In celebration of 2025 World Environment Day, the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) has lauded several efforts being put in place by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in managing environmental resources and ensuring its availability for future generations.

Olugbenga Adebola
Mr. Olugbenga Adebola, President of Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN)

Dr. Olugbenga Adebola, National President of AWAMN, gave this commendation in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, during a media session in honour of Mr. President.

He noted that, since 2008, the Association had bestowed the highest honour and recognition on the President based on his pioneering and reformative programmes on waste management in Lagos State while he was seated as the Executive Governor. 

Adebola said: “Lagos that was once tagged as the dirtiest state in the world was transformed into one of the cleanest cities in Africa with lots of local and international awards and recognitions, so much so that the then Federal Government administration in place gave two different awards to Lagos State for the transformation, aesthetics, job and wealth creation.”

The statement reads in part: “Due to his sagacity, tenacity, dedication and commitment to the environment, his transformative agenda, job and wealth creation, Asiwaju Tinubu whom the Association also decorated as the Generalissiomo of the Environment developed a pro-poor home-grown waste management model tagged the PSP. This home-grown waste management system did the magic of transforming Lagos State through house-to-house waste collection and eradicating the mountains of waste that dotted the landscape of the state.

“Asiwaju’s feat and success soon became a reference point and role model that was adopted by close to 30 states in Nigeria. It also attracted so many African countries that came to understudy the Lagos Model. As an Association, we are proud to be known as one of the sustainable legacies of Asiwaju in Lagos State and now across the country.

“In view of this, we decided to celebrate our Grand Patron – The Generalissimo of the Environment – on his administration’s midterm achievements, coincidentally at this period when the whole world is marking the 2025 World Environment Day under the theme: ‘End Plastic Pollution’. This is not about politics, but about performance, antecedents, future plans and renewed hope assurances.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has made notable strides in environmental sustainability, particularly in waste management and circular economy over the last two years.”

The group listed some key achievements to include: Cleantech Innovation Policy, Sustainable Energy Access Project (SEAP), Circular Economy Initiatives, Climate Change Act: Enacted in January 2024, Clean Cooking Gas Initiative, Greening the Sahel Initiative, Oil and Gas Sector Reforms, Sustainability Reporting, International Cooperation, Ending Open Defecation, Energy Transition Plan, Carbon Market Activation Policy, Global Climate Change Investment Fund, Sovereign Green Bond, Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative (Pi-CNG) and Climate-Smart Agriculture.

By Ajibola Adedoye

Osun unveils climate-smart investment portfolio at South-West renewable energy roundtable

Michael Simire
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0
Osun unveils climate-smart investment portfolio at South-West renewable energy roundtable

Osun State Government on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, unveiled its Climate-smart Investment Portfolio at the first-ever South-west Post-conference Stakeholders’ Roundtable on Renewable Energy, tagged, “From Vision to Action: Localizing Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Legislative Agenda”.

Osun State
Dignitaries at the South-west Post-conference Stakeholders’ Roundtable on Renewable Energy

Speaking on behalf of Governor Adeleke at Oasis Events and Conference Centre, Osogbo, the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, noted that Osun is also presenting the draft of its Renewable Energy Policy, crafted to establish a strong legislative and institutional foundation for an inclusive energy transition at the sub national level.

Governor Adeleke further stated that Osun is also launching the draft of its Climate Action Plan, which was developed in consultation with experts, grassroots communities and development partners.

He then declared the two days event open while stating that Osun is establishing a State Recycling Hub, showcasing electric motorcycles, and launching Green Clubs in schools, because of its climate vision that extends beyond now but for generations yet unborn.

He said, “On this special day, we are unveiling our Climate-Smart Investment Portfolio being a strategic roadmap designed to attract responsible capital into renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure and the circular economy. We are also presenting the Draft Osun State Renewable Energy Policy, crafted to establish a strong legislative and institutional foundation for an inclusive energy transition at the sub national level.

“In addition, we are launching the Draft Osun State Climate Action Plan, which was developed in consultation with experts, grassroots communities and our development partners. We are equally proud to unveil the IMOLE Solar Lantern Project which is a practical and symbolic solution for last-mile energy access. “One Child, One Lantern” is our promise. Every child deserves light to study, dream and grow, regardless of their location or background.

“To all our delegates: you will find a sample of the IMOLE Solar Lantern in your conference bag, not just as a keepsake but as a beacon of the future we are striving for. Let it remind you of a child in Iwo, Ifetedo, or Ikire whose dreams now shine a little brighter. Furthermore, we are establishing the Osun State Recycling Hub, showcasing electric motorcycles, and launching Green Clubs in Schools, because our climate vision extends beyond today; it is for the generations yet unborn.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are not just generating megawatts but we are generating ownership, inclusion, and dignity. The power we seek is not only electrical; it is political, social, and transformational. This roundtable is not just about Osun. It is about building regional synergy across the South-West. From Lagos to Ekiti, Ogun to Ondo — we must collaborate, legislate, and invest together.

“To our lawmakers: let this be the dawn of bold, forward-looking climate legislation. To our scholars: let your research inform our policies, and your students inspire our future. To our youths: your creativity is not just welcome, it is essential. To our development partners: we thank you, but we also urge you to invest more, trust local leadership more and walk this path more closely with us.

“In conclusion, in Osun, ‘Imole De’ is more than a slogan, it is a statement of purpose. And today, that light becomes solar, it becomes clean, it becomes fair and it becomes just. May this roundtable spark policies, partnerships, and programmes that outlive us and may the lantern you carry from here light up more than rooms. May it also light up communities, classrooms and the conscience of this great nation.”

In her address, Professor Chinwe Obuaku, Consultant to Osun State Government on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, noted that the post-conference’s objective is to shape clear, actionable, and localised solutions for renewable energy development.

She, therefore, emphasised the importance of job creation access to clean energy, and inclusive growth in Osun State and the wider South West.

Minister of Information to chair GOCOP book launch in Abuja

Michael Simire
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0
Minister of Information to chair GOCOP book launch in Abuja

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, is to chair the public presentation of the book Nigeria Media Renaissance: GOCOP Perspective on Online Publishing, a publication of Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP). The event is scheduled for Tuesday. June 17, 2025, at the Continental Hotel, Abuja.

Mohammed Idris
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris

President of GOCOP, Maureen Chigbo, who confirmed this development, said the book presentation will be graced by eminent personalities from all walks of life, including government officials, captains of industry, media practitioners and other professionals, representatives of international organisations, directors of non-governmental organisations.

Alhaji Idris was sworn in as Minister of Information and National Orientation on August 21, 2023, following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. With over three decades of experience in broadcasting, newspapering, public relations, and advertising, Idris has brought a wealth of expertise to the role.

His academic background includes degrees in English Studies from Uthman Danfodio University, Sokoto, and Bayero University, Kano. As an entrepreneur, he established notable media outlets such as Blueprint, WE FM radio station, and Rapid Television in Abuja. He is a prominent figure in professional associations such as National Institute of Public Relations, African Public Relations Association, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria, and Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria.

As the founder of Bifocal Communications, a leading public relations and communications consultancy, Idris has served both local and transnational corporations.

Beyond his professional endeavours, Idris is committed to social responsibility through the Mohammed Idris Malagi (MIM) Foundation, which has positively impacted many lives. As a reward for his contributions to the development of his immediate environment and beyond, The Etsu Nupe conferred “Kaakaki Nupe” on him.

A press statement by the GOCOP Publicity Secretary, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, quoted the GOCOP president as saying that the proceeds of the book will be used to fund the N2.3 billion GOCOP MEDIA CENTRE, a multi-purpose resource centre comprising a secretariat, a 21st Century library and event halls, among others.

Nweke further noted that the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) was established to promote professionalism in online publishing, ensuring its members uphold the fundamental principles of journalism.

Comprising seasoned editors and senior journalists with distinguished career in print and electronic media, GOCOP’s membership has traversed the online publishing, recognizing its pivotal role in shaping the future of journalism globally. With 120 corporate publishers as members, GOCOP continues to uphold the highest standards of online journalism.

Weak winds key factor in 2023 extreme North Atlantic heatwave – Study

Michael Simire
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0
Weak winds key factor in 2023 extreme North Atlantic heatwave – Study

The largest marine heatwave ever recorded in the North Atlantic Ocean, occurring in the summer of 2023, was primarily driven by unusually weak winds, leading to an exceptionally shallow – and warm – upper ocean layer, according to a new international study published in Nature.

North Atlantic heatwave
North Atlantic heatwave

Such extreme marine heat events are likely to become more frequent as climate change continues to thin the ocean’s upper layer, conclude the researchers, including Stefan Rahmstorf from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).

The summer of 2023 saw the North Atlantic Ocean warm at an unprecedented rate, with surface temperatures exceeding previous records by more than 2°C in some regions. The marine heatwave contributed significantly to the record global mean temperature that year and has been linked to severe heatwaves and flooding across parts of Europe.

Using a combination of observational data, atmospheric hindcasts, and advanced ocean modelling, researchers from the University of New South Wales, PIK, the Australian National University, and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology identify weak winds and the resulting shallow uppermost layer of the ocean as key drivers of the marine heatwave.

The thickness of the ocean’s upper layer in summer depends on winds to stir and mix the water. In 2023, weaker winds made this layer thinner than usual – sometimes just 10 metres deep instead of the typical 20-40 metres – allowing heat to accumulate more quickly at the ocean surface. As the surface water warms, it becomes less dense and thus lighter, making it harder for winds to mix the ocean and resulting in a thinner upper layer.

“As global warming reduces ocean mixing, the upper layer becomes thinner and more prone to rapid heating – a trend that could lead to more frequent and intense marine heatwaves,” says co-author Stefan Rahmstorf, head of Earth System Analysis at PIK.

The study traces a steady trend over the past four decades toward a thinner upper layer in the North Atlantic, primarily driven by surface ocean warming.

“This shows that climate change is also changing the structure of our oceans in ways that amplify climate extremes,” says Rahmstorf.

The research also highlights the broader risks of such events: the North Atlantic plays a central role in the global climate system, including the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, which helps regulate temperatures across the Northern Hemisphere.

Continued warming and a thinning surface layer could have far-reaching effects, including feedbacks that affect ice melt in Greenland and long-term changes in ocean circulation.

WHO launches Cholera Preparedness and Response Strategy for Eastern Mediterranean Region

Michael Simire
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0
WHO launches Cholera Preparedness and Response Strategy for Eastern Mediterranean Region

The World Health Organisation’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, launched a new strategy to reduce the burden of cholera across the Region by 2028. The strategy sets out a blueprint for a scaled-up multisectoral approach to tackle the root causes of cholera spread and prevent future outbreaks, aiming to significantly reduce cholera-related morbidity and deaths.

Cholera
The Strategy comes at a critical time amid a surge in cases of suspected cholera and acute watery diarrhea in several countries across the Region

The Cholera Preparedness and Response Strategy for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region for 2025-2028 comes at a critical time amid a surge in cases of suspected cholera and acute watery diarrhea in several countries across the Region. So far in 2025, the regional cholera burden accounts for almost 55% of all cholera cases and deaths globally.

“Many countries in our Region have become a breeding ground for cholera due to a dangerous mix of protracted conflict, weak health systems, poverty, displacement, poor water, sanitation, and hygiene systems, low public awareness, and extreme climatic shocks. To protect those most at risk, especially children and displaced populations, and to safeguard public health more broadly, we must address these underlying drivers with sustained commitment and coordinated, collective action,” says Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.

Sudan is experiencing one of the most severe outbreaks in recent history, with 65,291 cases and 1,721 deaths reported across 12 states as of 26 May 2025; Khartoum State alone has recorded over 7,600 cases and 142 deaths. In Yemen, cholera remains endemic, with over 271 000 suspected cases and 884 deaths reported since March 2024. Syria faces a high risk of resurgence, prompting WHO to initiate a six-month emergency response targeting 850,000 vulnerable people in Aleppo, Lattakia, Al-Hasakeh and Damascus governorates.

The new regional cholera strategy is aligned with the Global Task Force on Cholera Control’s Roadmap to end cholera by 2030, the WHO’s Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response Framework, and the Global Cholera Strategic Preparedness, Readiness and Response Plan.

It outlines concrete actions for countries to strengthen their preparedness and response capacities, focusing on four inter-connected pillars:

  1. Strengthening multisectoral coordination to unify health, water, sanitation, and emergency actors under a single framework for cholera control.
  2. Enhancing early warning and detection systems and rapid response mechanisms to detect and contain outbreaks before they escalate.
  3. Expanding access to high-quality case management to reduce mortality through timely diagnosis and treatment.  
  4. Scaling-up water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in high-risk and underserved areas, tackling the environmental drivers of cholera transmission.
  5. Strengthening collaboration in cross-cutting areas such as risk communication and community engagement (RCCE).

The strategy also integrates prevention and response to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PRSEAH), gender mainstreaming equity and inclusion, and operational evidence-based research.

The Implementation of the strategy will be monitored through annual performance reviews, with a mid-term assessment planned to help track progress and adapt the strategy to evolving needs. However, effective implementation will require overcoming challenges, including worsening humanitarian conditions, competing health priorities, chronic underfunding, limited human resources, fragile health infrastructure, and ongoing global shortages of essential cholera supplies, such as vaccines and rehydration therapy treatments.

“Cholera is preventable, treatable, and can be controlled, but only if we act together and without delay,” said Dr. Balkhy. “This strategy is more than a health intervention; it is a call for leadership, solidarity, and sustained investment. Ending cholera in the Eastern Mediterranean, and beyond, is within our reach, but only through coordinated action that addresses systemic inequities and builds resilience where it is needed most. We must not wait for the next deadly outbreak to act.”

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