22.9 C
Lagos
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Home Blog Page 1778

Roundup: Chemical bans proved to have helped close ozone hole

0

U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientists have credited the international ban on man-made chemicals containing chlorine with helping to bring the ozone back.

ozone hole
The ozone hole in 2015

About 30 years ago under the Montreal Protocol, a United Nations emergency panel banned the use of the chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which left chlorine in the atmosphere destroying ozone molecules.

Through direct observations of the ozone hole by a satellite instrument built by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), scientists for the first time have said that levels of ozone-destroying chlorine are declining, resulting in less ozone depletion.

In previous studies, researchers have used statistical analyses of changes in the ozone hole’s size to argue that ozone depletion is decreasing.

The new study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, is the first to use measurements of the chemical composition inside the ozone hole to confirm that not only is ozone depletion decreasing, but that the decrease is caused by the decline in CFCs.

CFCs are long-lived chemical compounds that eventually rise into the stratosphere; where they are broken apart by the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine atoms that go on to destroy ozone molecules, NASA said on its website.

“We see very clearly that chlorine from CFCs is going down in the ozone hole, and that less ozone depletion is occurring because of it,’’ said lead author Susan Strahan, an atmospheric scientist from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Stratospheric ozone protects life by absorbing potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation, which might cause skin cancer and cataracts, suppress immune systems and damage planet life.

The Antarctic ozone hole forms during September in the Southern Hemisphere’s winter as the returning Sun’s rays catalyse ozone destruction cycles involving chlorine and bromine that come primarily from CFCs.

To determine how ozone and other chemicals have changed year to year, scientists used data from JPL’s Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) aboard the Aura satellite, which has been making measurements continuously around the globe since mid-2004.

The change in ozone levels above Antarctica from the beginning to the end of the southern winter, early July to mid-September, was computed daily from MLS measurements every year from 2005 to 2016.

Measurements show that the decline in chlorine has resulted in about 20 per cent less ozone depletion during the Antarctic winter than there was in 2005, and scientists are crediting the international ban on chlorine-containing human-produced chemicals.

Evidence had been building during the 1970s and ’80s that CFCs were damaging the ozone layer.

The levels of ozone had been dropping, which ultimately resulted in a nearly ozone-free “hole’’ above the Antarctic.

The ozone hole spurred countries and companies into action.

Two years after the discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole in 1985, nations signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer to regulate ozone-depleting compounds, later amendments to which completely phased out the production of CFCs.

Looking forward, the Antarctic ozone hole should continue to recover gradually as CFCs leave the atmosphere, but complete recovery would take decades, according to NASA.

“CFCs have lifetimes from 50 to 100 years, so they linger in the atmosphere for a very long time,’’ said Anne Douglass, fellow atmospheric scientist at Goddard and the study’s co-author.

“As far as the ozone hole being gone, we’re looking at 2060 or 2080. And even then there might still be a small hole,’’ she said.

NCF explores illegal wildlife trade at Edu lecture series

0

Lagos-based environmental non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), is set to begin the year with an annual public lecture which is geared at gaining public support for burning environmental issues.

Adeniyi Karunwi
Adeniyi Karunwi, Director General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF)

The Chief S. L. Edu Memorial Lecture is part of NCF’s sustainable development agenda and its contribution to nation building. The 2018 Lecture will be the 16th edition. The Lecture is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) on Victoria Island in Lagos.

Titled: “Combatting Illegal Wildlife Trade in West Africa: the role of Environmental Law and Governance”, the lecture will be presented by Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, a Professor of Environmental Law and Policy, and the Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, Ojo.

According to Adeniyi Karunwi, the NCF Director General, the lecture theme was informed by the rising cases of illegal wildlife trade in Nigeria and other West African countries.

“Policy Advocacy is a cardinal programme of the Foundation, which is used to advocate for actions on imminent environmental issues, hence the choice of topic,” he was quoted as saying in a statement made available to EnviroNews.

He stressed that the Lecture was initiated by NCF to immortalise the Founder, late Chief Shafi Lawal Edu. “In the past 15 years, lectures in diverse environmental issues have been discussed as a way of advocating and educating the populace on the need to be well sensitised and embrace nature conservation and sustainable livelihood,” he emphasised.

The event, it was gathered, will also be used to award Scholarship Grants to two deserving PhD. Students understudying environmental sciences in Nigerian universities. The grant, sponsored by Chevron, is to encourage the students to undertake research work in the fields related to nature conservation, biodiversity and sustainable livelihood.

The NCF has its projects spread across the country, which are directly based on one or all of the Foundation’s activities in biodiversity conservation, environmental education, policy advocacy and improvement of livelihood of host communities.

The group says the event is public and attendance is open to environmentalists, nature enthusiasts, students and all the concerned.

Sokoto awards contract for 250 solar-powered water schemes

0

The Sokoto State Government has awarded contract for the construction of 250 solar powered water schemes in the 23 local government areas.

Aminu-Tambuwal
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State

Malam Imam Imam, the spokesman of the governor, said this in a statement on Sunday, January 7, 2018 in Sokoto, the state capital.

Imam, who did not mention the cost, said that the project was part of government policy of opening up and improving standards of living in rural areas.

He said that the project, which would be completed in three months, included solar pumping system, control room, distribution system borehole of 10,000-litre capacity, over head tank and security fence.

“The Dange Shuni, Gada and Sokoto North councils will have 14 of the schemes in different locations, Wurno council 12 schemes, while 11 schemes will be located in Illela council and 17 councils will get 10 each of the schemes in their localities.”

He said the locations of the projects were arrived at after wide consultations with stakeholders at the grassroots level.

“The unique thing about this project is the level of participation of communities in planning for the constructions.

”Government will continue to engage the populace as it implements the projects that have positive bearing on their lives.

“This project will increase access to safe drinking water and improve hygiene and basic sanitation in rural areas,” Imam said.

By Hauwa Gold

Harmattan: Protect children from cold – Paediatrician

0

Dr Juliet Ochi of the Paediatrics Department, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), has advised parents to protect their children from cold as harmattan set in.

School children
School children

Ochi gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, January 6, 2018 in Enugu.

She explained that the current hazy harmattan could lead to excessive sneezing, cough and catarrh in children especially children suffering from respiratory conditions like asthma, as the cold and dusty weather tends to aggravate it.

The paediatrician enjoined parents to ensure that their kids were always covered properly with sweaters, stockings, thick trousers as well as blanket for infants as this would help to prevent illness associated with cold.

Ochi added that it was more important to start early in taking number of measures to protect children from cold, dust particles and soles of the feet from peeling and lips from cracking.

“Begin to take measures to protect your children from cold as well as dust particles, skin and soles of the feet from peeling, and lips from cracking for the children to be healthy,” she said.

She also called on parents to visit health facilities whenever they notice any sign of cold symptom on their children.

The expert urged parents to avoid buying medicine for the children without doctors’ prescription.

Besides, she appealed to teachers and day-care owners to help parents in making sure that the pupils in their schools remain covered during school hours.

1,000 farmers in Edo to benefit from cassava programme

0

One thousand farmers including the youths in Edo State will benefit from cassava programme by the state government, an official has said.

cassava
Cassava farming

Alhaji Abdullahi Oshiobugie, Edo North Coordinator, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin City, the state capital, on Sunday, January 7, 2018.

He said that the programme was in partnership with the Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Landing (NIRSAL).

He further said that in order to facilitate the commencement of the programme, the state government had paid its counterpart funds of N140 million for land preparation.

Oshiobugie also disclosed that 1,000 hectares of cassava would be cultivated by the farmers to enhance Edo’s agricultural production.

He said that the 500 hectares would be cultivated under the programme in Edo North Senatorial District of the state.

He said that the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo, has also provided 500 hectares of land needed for the programme in the district.

While commending the initiator of the programme, Oshiobugie said, “We are happy now, especially when you consider that the land will be prepared for the farmers.

“Again, the beauty of the programme entails that the farmers need not bother themselves about the market for the produce as there are already available buyers under the project.

“For us in Edo North we are ready for the project as the land provided by our monarch has been surveyed and awaiting preparation by the initiators.

“We have already 150 farmers and 200 youths that will be participating in the programme in the district.

“I am sure the same can be said of Edo Central and Edo South Senatorial Districts that will also host the project,” he said.

By Igbaugba Ehigimetor

Fatalities as brutal cold torments the US

0

At least 17 people have died this week in the US due to severe weather, officials have said. Six deaths were reported in Wisconsin, four in Texas, three in North Carolina, and one each in Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota and Virginia.

Florida sign
Florida, the Sunshine State, is among many crippled by snow and ice

More than 7,800 people along the East Coast were without power, according to reports from five states. The power outages is a major concern, especially for those in dangerously low temperatures.

The major storm that gripped the East Coast is moving away, but the Northeast is not out of the woods, it was gathered.

A one-two punch of powerful winds and bitter cold are expected on Friday, January 5, 2018 into the weekend in the East and Midwest, with temperatures plunging as low as single digit during the day, and below zero at night.

With wind chill, temperatures could be as low as -15 in New York and -25 in Boston on the weekend, according to CNN Weather.

The bomb cyclone heaped plenty of misery across the region, deluging streets in Massachusetts with icy water, dumping more than a foot of snow across eight states and knocking out power for tens of thousands.

On Thursday, the tide at Boston Harbor matched its record at 15.1 feet – previously set during the blizzard of 1978. Waves from the sea washed into Boston streets. In coastal Massachusetts, stunned residents had to flee their homes as frigid waters poured into their street and engulfed their cars in ice.

Relatively warm Florida was not spared. South Florida last saw snow 41 years ago, while other parts of the state last experienced snow 30 years ago.

Indeed, the Sunshine State is among many crippled by snow and ice along the US east coast following one of the strongest winter storms in modern history.

Freezing temperatures have caused Orlando theme parks including Disney, SeaWorld and Universal Studios to shut its aquatic attractions.

On Thursday, snow fell in Tallahassee for the first time in 28 years, according to forecasters.

Expect dust haze, cloudy weather on Saturday – NiMet

0

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze weather conditions with visibility range of three to five kilometres over the central states of the country on Saturday, January 6, 2018.

Dust haze weather
Dust haze weather

NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Friday, also predicted day and night temperatures in the range of 25 to 35 and seven to 20 degrees Celsius respectively.

The agency predicted that the Southern states would experience hazy conditions over the inland cities and early morning mist/fog patches over Uyo, Ikom, Calabar, Yenegoa and Port-Harcourt with partly cloudy skies over the south-west coast.

It also predicted slim chances of localised rain showers over Port-Harcourt, Calabar, Yenegoa and Eket in the afternoon and evening hours with day and night temperatures in the range of 32 to 35 and 14 to 22 degrees Celsius respectively.

According to NiMet, Northern states will experience dust haze conditions with visibility range of one to three kilometres with day and night temperatures in the range of 27 to 30 and 11 to 18 degrees Celsius respectively.

“Observation shows that there are still dust particles in suspension over the country and the northern states are expected to be in dust haze condition with visibility range of about one to three kilometres.

“The central cities are anticipated to be in dust haze with visibility range of three to five kilometers.

“Hazy condition are envisaged over the inland cities with slim prospect for localised rain showers over some places in the coastal cities within the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicted.

By Sumaila Ogbaje

44 killed in Congo after heavy rains cause flooding

0

The number of people killed in flooding triggered by heavy rains has risen to 44 in the Congolese capital Kinshasa.

Congo flood
Flooding in Kinshasa December 2015. Photo credit: BBC

“This figure remains provisional as rescue operations are ongoing,’’ Dominique Weloli, the Provincial Health Minister told newsmen on Friday, January 5, 2018.

Weloli had placed the death toll at 35 on Thursday.

“The victims were killed by collapsing walls, landslides or drowning,’’ the minister said.

Heavy rains hit Kinshasa on Thursday, starting in the early morning and continuing for hours.

Weloli said that the floods had destroyed several houses.

Electricity supplies to 10 of Kinshasa’s 24 districts had been knocked out after the Kalamu River burst its banks and flooded a high-votage electricity substation.

“The city’s poor sewage system is partly to blame for the collapsing infrastructure,’’ Weloli said.

Zambia cholera outbreak may hurt economic prospect – Analysts

0

Authorities in Zambia should quickly put in place adequate measures to contain a cholera outbreak as prolonged outbreak might have negative implications on the country’s economic prospects, analysts said on Friday, January 5, 2018.

Lusaka, Zambia
Cholera broke out in October 2017 in Lusaka, the country’s capital

Cholera, which broke out in October 2017 in Lusaka, the country’s capital, has now been reported in other parts of the country.

According to figures from the Ministry of Health, cumulative cholera cases have now reached 2,148 countrywide, with the country’s capital accounting for 2,091 of the cases and 51 deaths.

The government has responded swiftly by closing markets, banning street vending and suspending transportation of farm produce to the capital while some fast food outlets have also been affected.

Among the closed markets is Soweto Market, a leading farm-produce distribution centre situated south of Lusaka’s central business district.

Many traders involved in small businesses in the city have been affected as they are not allowed to trade in markets and along the streets of the central business district.

On Thursday, authorities closed several food outlets in Lusaka after investigations revealed that their food had traces of vibrio cholera.

While commending the government for the measures put in place, Yusuf Dodia, chairperson of the Private Sector Development Association, said the economic prospects might be affected if businesses remain closed over a long period of time.

“Of course this is not good for business because there is no trading and if this continues, obviously it has implications,’’ he told Xinhua.

He added that already some neighbouring countries have expressed concern on the cholera outbreak and have put stringent screening measures on Zambian traders involved in cross-border trade which was also not good for the country.

Chibamba Kanyama, a local economist, said the cholera outbreak should be treated as a real crisis that might result in an economic catastrophe.

“Very soon, the limiting of public gatherings will be extended to supermarkets. Should this happen, the impact on VAT collections by Zambia Revenue Authority will be lowest this month of January,’’ he said in a posting on his Facebook page.

According to him, the economic implications of the outbreak could not be underrated as the government has been forced to divert financial resources from other planned projects to contain the outbreak.

“This is certainly not a small matter that has in the past been about statistics of how many new cases and deaths.

“It is affecting the country, including the once safe and unaffected upmarket communities. It is a matter that requires urgent, effective, collective and vigorous national response,’’ he added.

For the Zambia National Farmers Union, an umbrella body of farmers, the closure of Soweto Market has impacted negatively on farmers whose livelihoods depend on daily sales of fresh produce.

Jervis Zimba, the association’s president, said farmers have lost out in monetary gains as tons of their fresh produce has gone bad due to lack of sales following the closure of the popular market.

“We are asking the government to set up a wholesale market space exclusively to farmers that would enable them to sell their fresh produce from 06.00 a.m. to 2 p.m. to avoid further losses,’’ he said in a statement.

While commending the government for the measures taken to contain the cholera outbreak, the farmers’ body feels that the government should look into the plight of the farmers as their incomes have dwindled.

Some traders who depended on selling along the streets have also expressed concern over the banning of trading in markets and along the streets.

“The government must quickly tackle this cholera problem because we are going to die of hunger. Our families are affected because we are not selling,’’ Amos Zimba who trades in second-hand clothes said.

Abe commends Ogoni people for supporting clean-up project

0

Senator Magnus Abe on Thursday, January 4, 2018 commended the Ogoni people in Rivers State for embracing the clean-up of their neighbourhood by the Federal Government.

Magnus Abe
Senator Magnus Abe

Abe, lawmaker representing Rivers South-East Senatorial Zone in the Senate, gave the commendation in a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr Parry Benson, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

He expressed gratitude to the people of Ogoni for their steadfastness and commitment in the struggle for a fair and just country during the 2018 Ogoni Day.

“I want to congratulate the Ogoni people for their steadfastness, resilience, courage and commitment in the struggle for a fair and just country where all citizens can live meaningful lives,” he said.

Abe also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for its commitment towards the environmental cleaning exercise.

“I congratulate President Buhari for the commitment that led to the cleanup of Ogoniland and the progress made so far. It is a realisation of one of the cardinal objectives of the Ogoni struggle.

“As we go forward, let us use this day of celebration to remember those who lost their lives because of the struggle.

“Let us also use it as a day of hope; we should think well and celebrate what we have achieved; we should then prepare for better victories ahead.
“I am happy that today, our people and people from all other parts of the country came together to celebrate,’’ he said.

By Precious Akutamadu

×