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Grid collapse: Makurdi residents advocate strong solar energy, mini grids

Michael Simire
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Grid collapse: Makurdi residents advocate strong solar energy, mini grids

In the wake of incessant National Grid collapse, state governments have been advised to build strong solar energy systems and mini grids as alternative sources of electricity.

Solar mini-grid
A solar mini-grid system

Some residents of Makurdi in Benue State gave the charge in separate interviews on Saturday, October 26, 2024.

According to the residents, the recurring collapse of the national grid is becoming an embarrassing issue to Nigeria.

They, therefore, urged state governments to do everything possible to have alternative sources of energy to mitigate the impact of the persistent collapse of the national grid.

Mrs. Jennifer Tema, a 67-year-old restaurant owner, said that the regular collapse of the national grid had cost so much damage to her business.

Tema said she had been recording losses of her perishable foods worth millions of Naira as a result of the recurring power outage.

“In recent times, we have witnessed a bit of steady power supply, but this issue of the national grid has really cost me a lot of damage.

“My generator cannot take more than two freezers at a time. I lost over N2 million in the recent power outage. This is really affecting my business.

“I just hope that state governments will rise up to the occasion and get alternative energy sources for us to mitigate these losses,” she said.

Another resident, Dennis Tyosula, who operates a computer centre and betting shop in Makurdi, said lack of steady power supply was affecting his businesses.

Tyosula said he was buying fuel between N1,200 and N1,350 to power the generators at his two shops, and as a result was not making any profit, but incurring losses.

According to him, he uses between 16 and 18 litres of PMS daily when there is no power supply.

Meanwhile, a top staff member of Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED), who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the government was not yet ready to resolve the issue of power outage in the country.

The source noted that top government officials in the power sector who were benefiting from the current system failure did not want the problem to be resolved.

According to the source, most of the officials have secretly acquired shares of the company and are only interested in getting profits on their shares.

“My brother, the problem in the power sector is not solely with us the distribution companies.

“Every new government has its officials in the sector who do not have the interest of the country at heart.

“All of them want the bad system to continue so that they too would benefit from it. There is no end in sight yet.

“The issue of national grid is the most embarrassing of all,” the source said.

The JEDC official also said Nigeria had the technology and manpower to handle its power challenges and curb the incessant power failure as a result of grid collapse.

“The only way forward for now is for states to build their mini grids or establish strong solar energy power sources in the interest of their citizens.

“It is high time we stopped relying on only one source of energy supply,” the source added.

By Emmanuel Antswen

Commonwealth meeting ends with strengthened call from Island States for fossil free future

Michael Simire
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Commonwealth meeting ends with strengthened call from Island States for fossil free future

As the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) ended on Saturday, October 26, in Samoa, calls for a global plan for a fast, fair, and financed phase-out of fossil fuel production continue to escalate.

CHOGM 2024
Delegates at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa

During the meeting, eight Small Island states who have called for the negotiation of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty launched a new report titled “Uncommon Wealth: Fossil Fuel Expansion in the Commonwealth Dominated by Three Wealthy Countries”.

The report reveals the imbalance in fossil fuel extraction across the Commonwealth, highlighting the dominance of three wealthy nations – Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom – in driving fossil fuel expansion and emissions. Despite representing only 6% of the Commonwealth’s population, Australia, Canada, and the UK are responsible for over 60% of emissions generated from extraction across Commonwealth countries since 1990.

In a speech during a press conference, Tuvalu’s Prime Minister, Feleti Teo, said: “To put it plainly – it is a death sentence for us if larger nations continue to open new fossil fuel projects. As a Commonwealth family, we have a moral responsibility to uphold the commitments we made under the Paris Agreement, and work toward limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. But if we are to achieve this, we must work collectively. We cannot achieve this if our wealthier partners do not align their actions with their stated commitments. The continued expansion of fossil fuels only fans the flames of the climate crisis, directly contradicting the values we share in our Commonwealth Charter.”

At CHOGM 2024, Commonwealth Heads of Government have selected the Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, currently the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. The demand for the incoming Commonwealth Secretary-General is that she must champion greater international cooperation across the Commonwealth on the need for a fast, fair and financed transition away from fossil fuel extraction.

In particular, the Commonwealth’s majority low- and middle-income countries require support to transition as they face insurmountable debt exacerbated by colonial legacies and climate-induced losses. Without adequate financial support and debt alleviation from wealthier member states, these nations will struggle to fund climate resilience and a just energy transition.

In the final official communique, following increased pressure from Caribbean nations, Commonwealth leaders recognised the urgent need for meaningful discussions on reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade and its lasting impacts. This commitment signals a pivotal step forward, with heads of government pledging to support initiatives that address these historical harms.

Gillian Cooper, Political Director at the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said: “As we confront the ongoing impacts of climate change, we must recognize the historical injustices that have contributed to the vulnerabilities faced by many nations today. The call for reparations stemming from the transatlantic slave trade is intrinsically linked to our fight against expansion of fossil fuel extraction. Former colonial states have benefited from historical and current fossil fuel extraction for their development, taking up more than their fair share of the ‘carbon budget.’

“The unjust burden of climate change, caused by fossil fuels, falls disproportionately on those who have suffered from colonial exploitation. A Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is vital to dismantle this cycle of injustice and support the transition to a sustainable future.”

While Commonwealth states issued a major declaration on protecting the ocean, it was silent on one of the greatest threats to life under the sea – fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are fundamentally altering the chemistry of the oceans, with acidification and extreme heat stress threatening marine life and ecosystems. Fossil fuel production processes are also proven to disrupt key feeding and breeding areas, having huge implications for global populations of marine species.

The communique was released as Australian businessman Dr Andrew Forrest put out a statement showing support for the climate leadership of Pacific Island nations, calling on other countries to join them in seeking to negotiate a Fossil Fuel Treaty.

Attention now turns to the UN COP29 climate talks in Azerbaijan next month, where the urgent need for a transition away from fossil fuels will be a central theme. Following the recognition of this necessity at COP28 and in the Pact for the Future in September in New York, it is crucial that parties at COP29 not only commit to ending fossil fuel extraction but also outline a clear, actionable plan for financing this transition.

Adequate climate finance under the New Collective Quantified Goal is essential for supporting developing nations in their shift away from fossil fuels. A Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is a vital mechanism to complement the Paris Agreement by ensuring global cooperation to phase out fossil fuel production equitably and sustainably.

Shell gas pipeline leaking in Bayelsa community – EDEN

Michael Simire
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Shell gas pipeline leaking in Bayelsa community – EDEN

The Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) has disclosed that, upon receiving a call from an indigene of Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area of Bayelsa State at about 1pm on Thursday, October 24, 2024, about an ongoing gas leak along Shell’s EPU 3&4 Bulk Line, it promptly responded by visiting the environment of interest.

EDEN
Officials of Shell and other stakeholders at the leakage site

“Incidentally, Shell and other stakeholders were on ground for Joint Investigation Visit and actually visited the bubbling spot through canoe as the environment was flooded,” EDEN disclosed.

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT), being observed by EDEN, concluded that they can only ascertain exactly what is causing the bubbling or leak after the flood recedes and the spot is excavated to expose the pipe and properly identify what is the situation.

Representatives of NOSDRA and Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment and community representatives were part of the JIT including the Community Trust Board Chairman, Panebi George Inoru.

EDEN stated that it visited the spot immediately after the JIT concluded and left the environment.

EDEN submitted: “Irrespective of the flood, Shell ought to mobilise relevant equipment and ensure the sailing leakage and pollution stops. If this happened in the middle of the Nun River (because the gas pipeline runs across the Nun River), would they wait until the river dries up before doing the needful?

“EDEN demands immediate action and not later.”

Players rally against FIFA, Saudi Aramco partnership over climate concerns, women’s rights

Michael Simire
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Players rally against FIFA, Saudi Aramco partnership over climate concerns, women’s rights

In what looks like a bold move, over 100 professional female footballers from across five continents have called for FIFA to sever ties with Saudi Aramco, one of the world’s largest oil companies, as its primary sponsor.

Gianni Infantino
FIFA president, Gianni Infantino

Representing 24 countries, including captains and former captains from national teams like Canada, Italy, Croatia, the United States, and Afghanistan, these players collectively hold over 2,300 international caps.

The players’ letter highlights Saudi Arabia’s human rights violations, particularly concerning the rights of women, and calls into question FIFA’s commitment to sustainability, given Aramco’s record of contributing to global pollution and lobbying against climate action.

“As we all suffer from the consequences of climate change, Saudi Arabia profits, and FIFA is enabling this,” the letter states, pointing to the recent floods, wildfires, and extreme heat impacting the world of football and beyond.

The players argue that FIFA’s decision to partner with Aramco is incompatible with the sport’s equality, inclusion, and sustainability values.

The letter was released alongside polling data from fans across the UK, Spain, Brazil, the US, and Australia, showing that 72% of women’s football supporters believe FIFA should drop the Aramco sponsorship.

Fans are calling for FIFA to seek alternative sponsors whose values align more closely with those of women’s football, even if it results in less financial support for the next four years.

This protest also arrives just two months before Saudi Arabia is expected to announce its bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, raising the stakes even further.

Prominent footballers have spoken out in support of the letter.

Ayisat Yusuf-Aromire, a retired Nigerian female football player who now lives in Finland, said, “As a woman who had to overcome countless obstacles to play football, I deeply value the freedoms many of us in the game now enjoy. We must speak up for those who don’t have these same freedoms. Aramco, one of the world’s biggest polluters, is making the planet unsafe.

“We must stand in solidarity with the women of Saudi Arabia, who are imprisoned for peacefully advocating for their rights, and call on FIFA to drop this sponsorship — for the sake of women’s rights and our planet.”

Danish international Sofie Junge Pedersen also stated, “FIFA’s choice to partner with Aramco allows the Saudi regime to distract from their harmful treatment of women and the environment. We as players refuse to be part of that distraction.”

Former US National Team captain Becky Sauerbrunn, added, “We stand with women like Manahel al-Otaibi and Salma al-Shehab, whom the Saudi regime has imprisoned for simply advocating for their rights. FIFA’s alignment with such a regime is unacceptable.”

Canadian national team captain Jessie Fleming, underscored the sport’s power to unite people: “Football can bring people together. This partnership, however, only divides and prioritizes profit over human rights and environmental responsibility.”

The global unity among these players appears to send a clear message: the values of women’s football cannot be compromised for financial gain. As the world watches, FIFA must now decide where it stands on human rights, women’s rights, and the planet’s future.

UN pledges to support Nigeria achieve SDGs

Michael Simire
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UN pledges to support Nigeria achieve SDGs

The UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall, has restated the body’s commitment to support the country in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mohamed Malick Fall
Mohamed Malick Fall, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria

Fall gave the assurance on Thursday, October 24, 2024, in Abuja at a news conference to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the UN Day.

He described Nigeria as a very important country, adding that the organisation would not achieve SDGs if Nigeria did not achieve it.

Fall said, “In less than five years, we have to achieve Agenda 2030, the Summit of the Future and its landmark outcome.

“The ‘Pact for the Future’ has highlighted enough of these goals.

“The pact highlights five strategic priorities: SDG financing for development; international peace and security; science, technology and innovation; youth and future generation; and global governance.

“’The Nigeria we want’ is also reflected in the pact. At the UN, our focus is to ensure Nigeria achieves the SDG.

“This is why we work closely with the government at all levels. We work with all the development partners and the civil society to put the SDGs on track in Nigeria.”

He noted that humanitarian assistance alone could not substitute a solution to people’s problems, adding that there should be collective efforts to tackle such problems.

Also speaking, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Resident Representative in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, said that the future of development would focus on science, technology, innovation and digitalisation.

According to her, the programme will support the ecosystem of Nigeria, in a special way.

“We have, for the very first time, established what we call university ports, 10 of them by the end of this year and where when you go into a university, you will have a space to create such prototype.

“This development means we will have space where young people in universities and communities can test the ideas and hopefully, we create some unicorns.

“We believe that, in the next 36 months, we will also establish 36 of them,” she said.

She added that the programme would support Nigeria in mitigating the impact of climate change by reducing emissions and linking it to the country’s development.

On her part, Vaneessa Phala-Moyo, the Country Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, pledged to promote social justice in the country.

Phala-Moyo said: “ILO, as an organisation, is charged basically with promoting social justice.

“We have been doing a lot of work, since 1960 when Nigeria joined the ILO, and we are working within the country’s decent work programme.

“This articulated priorities that Nigeria, including our social partners like Nigeria Labour Congress, TUC, NECA and Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, as tripartite partners, work on developing the country’s programme that gives attention to key priorities to partners.”

By Fortune Abeng

CEPI’s 100-day mission to protect Africa from climate-driven epidemics – Official

Michael Simire
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CEPI’s 100-day mission to protect Africa from climate-driven epidemics – Official

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is advocating for a critical initiative to protect Africa from the risk of epidemics fueled by climate change.

Muhammad Ali Pate
Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare

The Head of the coalition’s Lassa Fever Engagement, Ms Oyeronke Oyebanji, made this known in an interview on Friday, October 25, 2024, in Abuja.

She said that “CEPI has an ambitious mission to develop vaccines within 100 days of an outbreak to contain diseases before they spread.”

Oyebanji added that the initiative could be transformative for countries like Nigeria, where diseases such as Lassa fever and Mpox threaten public health and economic stability.

She explained that “with the growing impact of climate change, diseases like Lassa fever and Mpox may spread more unpredictably.

“Our 100-day mission is more critical than ever, focusing on rapid vaccine development that can save lives and limit transmission, and build capacity to do this rapidly.”

She warned that rising temperatures and extreme weather were contributing to the spread of infectious diseases, many of which were already prevalent in Africa.

She said that warmer temperatures and unpredictable rain patterns can increase the habitats for disease vectors like rodents and insects, raising the likelihood of outbreaks.

She added that as diseases such as Mpox and Lassa fever continue to emerge, public health systems across Africa must evolve measures to tackle spread.

She said that achieving the 100 days mission would require an unprecedented level of coordination among governments, researchers, the private sector and civil society.

She said that African governments were being called upon to strengthen investments in measures to prevent, prepare, detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.

She said that CEPI’s mission highlighted the need for local vaccine manufacturing and robust healthcare infrastructure in Africa.

“With support from international organisations and local stakeholders, Nigeria and other African nations are working to build health resilience against both familiar and emerging threats,” she said.

However, she said that realising this vision requires sustainable funding, noting that “CEPI has called for greater investment in vaccine research and development to secure the resources necessary for its mission.”

She stressed that funding must go beyond emergency response, focusing on long-term preparedness and building healthcare systems capable of tackling climate-driven epidemics.

By Abujah Racheal

EDEN calls for laws to protect people against environmental rights abuses

Michael Simire
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EDEN calls for laws to protect people against environmental rights abuses

The Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) says it will not relent in its efforts to challenge the activities of oil multinationals, to speak up on environmental rights violations and issues of environmental degradation in Delta State and other parts of Nigeria.

EDEN
EDEN officials and guests at the opening of the group’s office in Ughelli, Delta State

This was stated at the opening of EDEN office in Ughelli, Delta State, as part of its efforts to take environmental activism, environmental justice, climate justice and environmental protection to the needed communities in Delta State and its environs.

Speaking at the opening, Executive Director of EDEN, Chima Williams, who was represented by the Deputy Executive Director of EDEN, Alagoa Morris, stated that the Niger Delta region is one of the most polluted places in the world, without environmental legislature to protect the people.

According to him, EDEN is invested in protecting the common interest of the people through environmental rights protection, the demand for climate justice, reparation, remediation and payment of loss and damages for affected communities.

He revealed that data and information on oil spill issues in the Niger Delta collated by EDEN and its staff in the environmental struggle has facilitated several litigations against oil multinationals and drawn the attention of the world to the environmental issues in the Niger Delta, with data collection as a tool in environmental field monitoring, that facilitates efforts towards environmental protection and development.

Comrade Morris also pointed out that the UNEP report which has facilitated the Ogoni cleanup should be implemented in all oil producing areas in the Niger Delta, and should be backed up with an environmental report, as recently carried out by the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment.

While delivering the Philosophy of EDEN, Director of Climate Justice and Energy of EDEN, Ubrei-Joe Maimoni Mariere, stated that EDEN was founded with the intention of bridging the gap left behind by ERA in the environmental struggle, to fight against corporate impunity on the environment, climate injustice, environmental/human right abuses against the people, linking the environmental struggle to world struggle.

He added that Delta is one of the states where pollution is happening silently, and the people subjected to untold levels of environmental and human rights abuses.

He pointed out that EDEN is open to collaborate with CSOs, communities and other stakeholders to expose oil spillages and environmental degradation in Delta State.

Also speaking at the opening, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Professor Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, who was represented by the Acting Director of Centre for Waste Management and Sustainable Resources, Dr. Akinyemi Ogunkeyede, acknowledged the gap between environmental research conducted by the academia and the role of advocacy in environmental protection.

He appreciated the presence of EDEN in Delta State, as the environmental issues in the state and the Niger Delta at large are critical and deserve every attention required, according to the SDG goal 17 that speaks on partnership. He pledged he university’s support and collaboration in ensuring environmental justice, advocacy and protection.

On her part, the Councilor of Ward 17 in Ughelli local government area, Florence Ediruo, who represented the chairman of Ughelli North, expressed her gratitude to EDEN for seeing it necessary to champion the course of the common people as relates to the environment.

She drew attention to the disturbing issues of land grabbing in Delta State by suspected herdsmen which, according to her, could lead to food shortage and human right abuses in the future. She also pledged the support of the local government council in environmental and human rights protection.

Flooding: Govt begins assessment of dams to arrest situation, avert recurrence

Michael Simire
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Flooding: Govt begins assessment of dams to arrest situation, avert recurrence

The Federal Government has begun an assessment of dams across the country to stem the tide of flooding nationwide.

Prof. Joseph Utsev
Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof.  Joseph Utsev, said this in Owerri on Friday, October 25, 2024, while addressing newsmen after an assessment tour of dams in the southeast.

Utsev, represented by Mrs Oluwatosin Abiola, the Deputy Director, Geo-technical Divisional Head, Dams Department in the ministry, said that President Bola Tinubu’s directive was to critically analyse the integrity of dams in Nigeria.

The minister, who heads the inter-ministerial committee, said the committee would also assess the environmental and social impacts on local communities and the extended environment.

“President Bola Tinubu wants all hands on deck to arrest the challenge of flooding, hence the setting up of this inter-ministerial technical committee.

“We have visited the Adada and Ivo dams in Enugu State, as well as the Amauzari and Inyishi dams in Imo and we will return to the committee for further action,” the minister said.

He added that the findings would form an action plan to solve challenges faced by dam construction in Nigeria and address challenges associated with flooding, water supply, irrigation and hydroelectric power generation.

He mentioned the member ministries of the committee to include the ministries of Environment, Housing, Works, Budget and National Planning, Information and National Orientation Agency as well as Finance.

He said that to expedite activities of the committee, he inaugurated a technical sub-committee chaired by his Ministry’s Director of Dams and Reservoir Operations.

According to him, the sub-committee is comprised of technical offices from the member ministries, the Office of the National Security Adviser, Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, the Nigeria Society of Engineers, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, and other technical experts.

“The overall mandate is to undertake detailed assessment of dams in Nigeria to determine their structural integrity and impact on downstream conditions as well as on the social and environmental conditions of riparian communities.

“The technical sub-committee also visited the Alau Dam in Borno from October 12 to 16, 2024, alongside the Committee on Assessment of Alau Dam constituted by the Borno State Government,” he said.

By Victor Nwachukwu

Flood displaces 770 households in Benue

Michael Simire
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0
Flood displaces 770 households in Benue

No fewer than 770 households have been displaced by flood in Benue State due to the rising water level that overflowed the banks of the River Benue.

Makurdi
Flooding in Makurdi, Benue State

Mr Aondowase Kunde, Benue Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on Friday, October 25, 2024, in Makurdi, the state capital.

Kunde who is also the Chairman, Flood and Disaster Management Committee, said that Makurdi was worse hit by the flood.

He said that the displaced persons were taking refuge in temporary camps.

“In most local government areas people managed to stay beyond the riverbanks, but in Makurdi, approximately 770 households were displaced.

“About 520 displaced households are taking shelter in NKST Primary School Wadata, while 250 are in Gaadi Comprehensive Secondary School.

“These individuals have been provided with food and non-food items, including mattresses, containers, and rice, with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) offering continued support over the past two weeks.

He expressed hope that with the receding water levels, the displaced persons should be able to return to their homes by next week.

Kunde stated that the governor had ordered another assessment of the affected areas to confirm whether they were habitable.

The commissioner said that some homes may need fumigation for potentially dangerous reptiles like snakes as well as insects.

“As a temporary measure, the governed directed that we should assess and repair flood-damaged houses and ensure that they are well maintained before residents return to their homes.

“However, the government’s long-term plan is to construct houses in safer areas and relocate those living in flood-prone areas.

“The governor is committed to addressing these challenges, including post-flood recovery,” he said.

By Peter Amine

COP16: Civil society calls for CBD’s leadership in addressing geoengineering risks

Michael Simire
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0
COP16: Civil society calls for CBD’s leadership in addressing geoengineering risks

As first week of negotiations at the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UN’s Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) comes to an end, civil society including climate justice, Indigenous Peoples, and Youth groups are encouraging CBD to continue its leadership in recognising and addressing the dangers of geoengineering.

Silvia Ribeiro
Silvia Ribeiro, Latin America Director for ETC Group

The CBD is said to have been a global leader since 2010, at COP10 it adopted a historic de facto moratorium on geoengineering, reaffirming it at COP13 in 2016.

“CBD understood early that climate change has a large impact on biodiversity and that some of the measures to ‘tame’ the climate crisis could in fact worsen it. Therefore, CBD took a groundbreaking decision calling for a moratorium on climate geoengineering. Now that there has been an explosion of risky geoengineering proposals aiming to alter marine and land ecosystems, with serious environmental and social impacts, CBD needs to reaffirm precaution,” said Silvia Ribeiro, Latin America Director for ETC Group.

As climate and biodiversity crises continue to deepen, it is essential that CBD uphold its precautionary approach to geoengineering which can have wide reaching impacts on peoples, communities, biodiversity and climate.

Mary Church, Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL), said: “Geoengineering is a dangerous distraction from the real solutions to the climate crisis – it does nothing to tackle the root causes of climate change and instead gives the illusion that there is a silver bullet or quick fix out there, if only we can find it. If deployed at scale these inherently unpredictable technologies would have profound and potentially irreversible effects on biodiversity and communities.

“Impossible to test for their intended impact on the climate except through large-scale deployment, geoengineering proposes turning the Earth into a risky laboratory. States must take steps to protect biodiversity and prevent the normalisation of geoengineering in climate discourse and policy, including by preventing outdoor geoengineering experiments.”

Geoengineering also brings new risks to the lives and livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples, and traditional communities and fisherfolk who rely on these ecosystems.

Adrienne Aakaluk Titus, Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), said: “The very existence of the world depends on the rich biodiversity of ecosystems that have been maintained by Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial. Our land is not your science laboratory. It is imperative to make an Indigenous led just transition. To step away from extractive industry and false solutions like geoengineering, climate manipulation that support capitalism. We must put Indigenous stakeholders to the forefront to ensure a healthy Mother Earth for future generations.”

Youth groups are concerned about the lack of transparency around the risks and consequences of geoengineering as it gets pushed as a “fix” for the climate and biodiversity crises.

“Youth deserve honest information, not false promises, about these risky technologies. We demand a global respect for the geoengineering moratorium, with clear protocols to stop all experiments. Communities harmed by these tests have spoken, and we reject tech companies’ false promises and false solutions to ‘solve’ the climate change while profiting from the same systems that caused it. Real solutions come from grassroots communities, not in labs with geoengineers,” added Alejandro Jaimes, Alliance of Non Governmental Radical Youth (ANGRY).

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