Heavy flash floods and traffic gridlock were the aftermath of the first rain of 2019 in Lagos on Sunday, January 20, 2019. Starting at about 12:30pm, the rain lasted for about an hour and half.

It was preceded by a heavy wind and cloudy atmosphere. The rain reportedly touched almost every nook and cranny of the state.

Many residents heaved a sigh of relief due to the harsh weather experienced since the yuletide season. Some described the rain as a sign of good things to come in the year.

Mrs Laide Abayomi, a hair stylist, told NAN that the rain was long overdue.

“We thank God for the rain, though we have been expecting it since last week when other states were experiencing there own.

“The weather pattern has also changed, everything now has changed, even the harmattan started late. We pray the rain brings good increase in our agricultural sector,” Abayomi said.

Mr Akinyemi Badmus, a transporter said the first rain of the year was a sign of blessing.

“I never knew it will come today (Sunday). It has really affected my business as the roads are blocked.

“I want to advice that government should prepare for the rainy season so that we will not be caught unawares when heavy rain comes.

“I ply Yaba route but since the rain started around mid-day, I couldn’t make any fast trip due to the blocked drains along that axis to Ojuelegba.

“Let the Ministry of Environment start work, all the gutters, drainages and roads are blocked,” Badmus said.

Mr Kay Shittu, a resident around Mile 12 area of lkosi/Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), said he was happy to witness the first rain of the year.

“Although there was no sign that it would rain in the morning, I got drenched when it poured and was happy.

“The heat has been too much of recent, especially with the epileptic power supply.

“I know this night would be a bit cool for me to have a sound sleep,” he said.

Mrs Augustina Ekwe, a resident of Ikorodu area, said that the rain was good.

“I was at the Ikorodu Bus stop waiting for vehicle to board to Ketu when I observed that the weather was cloudy.

“Thank God l boarded a vehicle before the rain started.

“I like it. The rain is very good for everybody generally.

“This is January and with such a heavy rain, it shows a sign of good things to happen in the new year,” she said.

Mr Johnson Bola, a trader at Ikosi/Ketu Jakande Fruit Market, said the first rain was okay, but it should have fallen at night.

“Yes, the rain was a downpour. I wished it had fallen in the night.

“Now the market is flooded and full of dirt and muddy water.

“It is good as it fell and stopped. No drizzling, no intermittent falling of the rain.

“As the first rain of the year, l am happy. It had been hot, and at least it will make everywhere cool for a while,” he said.

Efforts to reach the Lagos NiMet Director, Mr Peter Odjugo, proved abortive as his number “was not reachable”.

Places like Akerele, Idi-Araba Road, Lawanson/Itire Road, and Ogulana Drive experienced heavy flood, while some residents were seen clearing the gutters by their houses. 

A new study has found that wild coffee species are now under threat from climate change.

Scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens have found that 60 per cent of wild coffee species are at risk of extinction. This includes Arabica, the world’s most widely traded coffee.

The report states how despite the success of Arabica and Robusta coffee in the industry, they now face new threats of climate change, including the increasing incidence and duration of drought.

Dr Justin Moat, Head of Spatial Analysis at Kew and one of the authors of the paper, said: “Our initial evaluation of Arabica coffee suggested that it was not threatened with extinction in the wild.

“However, after factoring in climate change, it moved upwards by two categories to become an endangered species. These findings are so important as they indicate that the extinction risk to many other coffee species could be much worse if we consider climate change.”

The coffee industry currently relies on Arabica and Robusta coffee. However, as climate change worsens, it could result in having to rely on different coffee species for coffee crop plant development.

Ethiopia is the natural birthplace of wild Arabica coffee with an annual export value of $1 billion. It is an important source of seed stock for coffee farming, but it could be in serious jeopardy if conservation action is not taken to protect the plant form a changing climate and deforestation, says experts.  

Dr Aaron Davis, Head of Coffee Research at Kew and lead author of the Science Advances paper, said: “Among the coffee species threatened with extinction are those that have potential to be used to breed and develop the coffees of the future, including those resistant to disease and capable of withstanding worsening climatic conditions. The use and development of wild coffee resources could be key to the long-term sustainability of the coffee sector. Targeted action is urgently required in specific tropical countries, particularly in Africa, to protect the future of coffee.”

Courtesy: Climate Action

The African Academy of Sciences (The AAS), the United Kindgoms’ Department for International Development (DFID) Weather and Climate information SERvices for Africa (WISER) programme and the Africa Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa on Friday, January 18, 2019 announced the implementation of a multi-million-dollar initiative to support Africa-led climate science research through the Climate Research for Development (CR4D) in Africa initiative.

CR4D will award one-year research grants to 15 African climate researchers of up to $130,000. Through The AAS Rising Research Leaders programme, grantees will be supported to develop as independent research leaders through training, mentoring, and networking opportunities that will enable international collaborations.

According to the CR4D, candidates must be hosted by or affiliated with a university, research institute or other eligible institution of higher education in Africa. They must and hold a PhD in climate or related sciences and/or have a proven track record of high-quality, impactful research in a relevant field. Applicants must have a clearly defined scientific research proposal and all African nationals are eligible to apply.

A call for proposals for CR4D has been issued and is open from January 18 to February 10, 2019. The call is accessible here https://aasishango.ccgranttracker.com/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/

The CR4D initiative was conceptualised at the Africa Climate Conference in 2013 as a mechanism to strengthen links between climate science research and climate information needs to support development planning in Africa. The initiative addresses climate research priority areas that have been identified in Africa by African researchers.

Over the next year, CR4D will support research into identified priority areas for climate change and development linkages. The research will cover foundational climate science, impacts, information and research translation and engagement with policy and decision-making communities. The goal will be to produce research outputs that inform policy in climate sensitive sectors to better prepare Africa to deal with the impacts of climate change.

Dr James Murombedzi of the ACPC noted: “While Africa is responsible for only 4% of global greenhouse-gas emissions, 65% of the African population is directly impacted by climate change. It is therefore imperative that climate action must be stepped up to deliver high impact outcomes for African populations, and to ensure the resilience of economies, ecosystems and infrastructure on the continent. The framework for scaling up climate action was put in place in the 2015 Paris Agreement.

“The realisation of the ideals of this agreement will be determined by the national frameworks, strategies and policies that are put in place to implement national and sub-national climate actions. The CR4D initiative will enhance support for improved climate information and services to contribute to climate sensitive planning. This, in turn, will contribute towards ensuring human and environmental security, improved investment policies, as well as institutional developments to manage potential threats from climate change.”

The Executive Director of The AAS, Prof. Nelson Torto, says, “With smallholder farms, most being rainfed, forming about 80% of farmed land in sub-Saharan Africa and given that most of sub-Saharan Africa’s population draws its livelihood from smallholder farming, the CR4D initiative will be a huge addition to Africa’s quest to transform itself through science.

“Tackling climate change in Africa requires that African researchers are supported to ensure they have the best understanding of the problems to be better prepared to provide and amplify solutions. The AAS is particularly proud to be part of this noble initiative and we look forward to celebrating its impact in all climate sensitive sectors including agriculture, health, water resources, tourism and other areas of socio-economic development.”