The Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, has advocated for introduction of BSc. Environmental Health Science in Nigerian universities to effectively curb desertification.
Desertification in Nigeria
Garba made the call at the “2018 Tree Planting Campaign of the ABU Green Belt Initiative’’ held on Thursday, July 5, 2018 at the ABU main campus, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the 2018 campaign is: “Beat Plastic Polution” with a topic “Agro-Forestry: The Way Forward”.
He observed that the course, if introduced, would go a long way in addressing some of the environmental challenges bedevilling Nigeria and Africa at large.
The Vice-Chancellor said: “We look forward to the time when the when the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria will anchor BSc. Environmental Health Science in our universities.
“Let me also seize this opportunity and pay tribute to the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Funds, for the several ecological interventions on the university.”
Garba urged Nigerians to join other people globally in campaign against wide spread of plastic pollution.
He said the Chemical Engineering Department of the university could do a lot on recycling of polythene/plastic, thereby making Nigerian environment safe.
“A collaboration can be established on that, ABU is appealing for this. On environmental awareness creation, Theatre and Performing Art Department has done a lot too on burning environmental issues.
“We will provide assistance to the ministry in this regard,” he assured.
Garba stressed the need for collective efforts from all Nigerians to be able to check the challenges of desert encroachment.
The vice-chancellor appreciated the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Minister of State Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibril, for building a solid cordial relationship with ABU.
He identified some of the mutual benefits of such relationship to include the university’s engagement with the National Agency for Great Green Wall.
Others, according him, are assistance by the Department of Climate Change in the ministry to access Clean Development Mechanism Funds to sustain its programme.
The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, said the significance of tree planting should be emphasised rather than telling what ABU was doing annually.
Abdullahi, who is also a former V-C of the institution, observed that if all institutions in Nigeria right from primary to tertiary would emulate ABU green environment’s practice’ it would have changed the nation’s environment for the better.
He lauded ABU for maintaining its botanical garden in all its campuses, while appealing to leaders to cultivate the spirit of tree planting and strong political will to avert the menace.
“There is no how trees will survive where there is no alternative to firewood. The alternative is very costly even more than the firewood.
“Therefore, there is every need for collaborative efforts and steps to be taken by all stakeholders to avert desert encroachment,” he said.
The Director of Technical Services Network at the National Environment Agency has disclosed that exposure to pesticides and chemicals in farmlands, rice-fields and gardens has a high toll on human health especially the farmers and gardeners. According to him, The Gambia has recognised this need to explore safer alternatives to synthetic pesticides for use in agricultural activities.
Participants at the event
Dr. Dawda Badji make this disclosure at a two-day national training workshop for over 40 market gardeners and farmers on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in crop production and post-harvest management, with focus on use of bio-botanical pesticides, recently held in Jenoi, Lower River Region (LRR).
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Director of the NEA, Dr. Badjie further revealed that the objectives of this Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop is to build capacity of market gardeners on various approaches to pest control methods with emphasis on production and use of bio- botanical pesticides to control pests in staple food crops with the view to protect human health and the environment.
According to NEA`s Director of Technical Services Network, the training would avail participants opportunity to improve technologies in organic pest management which are derived from local trees and plants that go a long way in improve gardening activities and enhance farm produce that is devoid of pesticides residues which can negatively impact the health of consumers. Most of these plants and trees are easily available within the surrounding environment.
The Gambia, he said, is a Party to the Stockholm Convention and has since understood the health concerns resulting from local exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), and the negative impacts levied upon farmers, pesticides distributors, women gardeners and food consumers within communities.
Considering the low level of awareness of local communities on chemical utilisation and management, Dr. Badjie revealed that this necessitated his agency to organise the TOT, and therefore called for a holistic and integrated approach in pesticide and chemical management from all stakeholders.
However, Dr. Badjie revealed that chemicals are important determinants for sustainable development, sound environmental health and quality of life, as the use of chemicals in all human activities (such as agriculture, health, energy production, manufacture, services and residential) contributes to improving the quality of life. But he warned that alarm and concerns has been raised on its harmful effects on workers, consumers, the environment and society at large through exposure.
Nonetheless, Dr. Badji further warned that accidental releases of pesticides and chemicals from distribution, consumption and disposal may permanently damage soil, water and air quality, as reports of chemical incidents has been very common within the farming populace and their families.
In recognition of the importance of stakeholder participation, Dr. Badjie posited that the cross-learning dialogue is being held to critically discuss various options and tap experiences from local farmer-expert that could be used to control pests with the minimal use of pesticides.
“A recent survey on pesticides poisoning in The Gambia has revealed that pesticides, if not properly handled, impact negatively on public health and the environment. According to the report, poisoning cases have been detected in the study areas whilst some led to deaths.” he emphasised.
Recording a high percentage of illiteracy rates among survey, respondents also contribute to the abuse and misuse of these chemical products, while self-sufficiency in ensuring the availability of food for is itself an achievement. He noted that the challenge facing The Gambia now like many other countries is to ensure quality and safety in the food being consumed.
To curb the negative impact of pesticides on the environment, plants and animals, and cognisant of the numerous challenges highlighted in the report, Dr. Badjie revealed that this warranted his agency and her stakeholders to work together to come up with practical recommendations that will diminish the high reliance on synthetic pesticides and adopt alternatives that are more environmentally friendly.
The project is being implementing by NEA in partnership with Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Industrial Organisation (UNIDO) as part of the obligations for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) National Implementation Plans (NIPs).
Omar Bah, the Registrar of Pesticides and Hazardous Chemicals at the NEA, disclosed that, according to the Rotterdam Convention, there is an increasing growth in chemicals production and trade during the past three decades, raising both public and official concern about the potential risks posed by hazardous chemicals and pesticides.
This becomes more alarming for vulnerable countries lacking adequate infrastructure to monitor the import and use of the chemicals especially in developing countries may pose significant risks to human health or the environment, because risk reduction measures such as the use of personal protective equipment or maintenance and calibration of pesticide application equipment are not easily implemented or are not effective.
He said agriculture is a main driver of the Gambian economy, employing almost half of the working population, and higher percentage of the rural working population. In addition, the sector provides livelihoods for majority of the population. Groundnuts are the main cash crop, and account for 30% and 50% of foreign exchange earnings, and national food requirements, respectively.
Bah in conclusion said the training could not have come at a better time when The Gambia is putting lots of efforts towards resilience building against the impacts of climate change and variability amongst its increasing population through the promotion of increased agricultural production and productivity for food security, improved nutrition, and poverty alleviation, amongst others.
Meteorological equipment worth $2.4 million donated by China were handed over to Namibia at an event on Thursday, July 5, 2018.
Meteorological equipment
Namibia received 10 sets of Manned Weather Observation Systems, five sets of Automated Weather systems, one central work station software and meteorological communication system.
The remaining are FY-3 meteorological satellite data collecting, processing system, the FY3-3 meteorological satellite information processing and application system.
On behalf of Namibia’s Minister of Works John Mutorwa, deputy minister James Sankwasa said the donation emanated from China-Africa cooperation.
It has expressed its willingness to strengthen cooperation and build capacity of selected meteorological services in Africa.
“This is to enable it to respond to the growing needs of citizens, especially in the areas of disaster prevention and mitigation, climate change and meteorological observation.
According to him, the donated equipment came at the time when it was needed.
“For example, the recent tropical cyclone Dineo, although reached Namibia in a weakened state as a tropical depression was tracked using FY-3 Satellite until it dissipated in the Atlantic Ocean,’’ he noted.
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhang Yiming said he was happy that Namibia is among the recipients.
“We are proud China is helping enhance the capacity in such a vital public service of meteorology in Namibia,’’ Zhang said.
According to the deputy minister, the adverse impacts of weather and climate extremes on the mainstream economic activities such as agriculture, health, fisheries, water, transport and food security are a great challenge to the country.
“The early warning system once operational would provide timely warning and advisories that could save lives and reduce extensive damage to properties.
“The cooperation between the two countries on this scale in the field meteorological is commendable and needs to be sustained for the benefit of all,’’ he added
Environmental leaders, activists and advocates gathered at the Vatican City on Thursday, July 5, 2018 with Pope Francis to kick off a two-day Vatican-organised conference with a sense of urgency and unity. Together they hope to emerge with a momentum for greater action and a shared vision for protecting our planet.
Pope Francis
Inspired by the third anniversary of the Pope’s seminal encyclical on the issue – titled Laudato si’ – political and religious leaders, scientists, economists and heads of civil society organisations came together to discuss how to awaken people to the gravity of the situation and inspire a “massive movement” of cooperative action and moral responsibility to our planet.
UN Environment’s Executive Director, Erik Solheim, will address the convocation on the second day of the meetings titled: “Acting Together to Save our Common Home”.
“The challenges we face around climate change, biodiversity loss and deforestation are daunting. The science – as so ably outlined in Laudato si’ – is unambiguous,” Erik Solheim wrote in his remarks for the conference. “We are reaching, surpassing and ignoring global environmental tipping points that are causing enormous problems for humanity and hitting the poorest and most vulnerable the hardest.”
Having drawn inspiration from the call for unity and action in the encyclical, UN Environment introduced their Interfaith Rainforest Initiative at the conference. The new international alliance is a platform for religious leaders and faith-based communities to work hand-in-hand with indigenous peoples, governments, civil society and businesses on actions that protect rainforests.
“This is just one example of how new kinds of collaboration across sectors can bring forth real solutions,” said Solheim.
In Laudato si’, Pope Francis, who has emerged as an avid advocate for the environment since his appointment, condemned the collective negligence on behalf of the planet and called for strong and immediate action on climate change.
“Young people demand change,” the encyclical letter reads.” They wonder how anyone can claim to be building a better future without thinking of the environmental crisis and the sufferings of the excluded.”
Since taking up his post, the Pope has repeatedly called to bridge the divide between communities in protection of our commonly inherited earth, lobbying with political leaders and private sector chiefs alike to urge the need for acting together to save the earth.
The international conference, organised by the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, highlighted the personal accounts of victims of environmental crises, reflecting on how to understand and respond to these crises and envisage the journey ahead for a sustainable world.
The event will set the stage for a series of important dialogues on the subject to follow,
including the Global Climate Action Summit in California, the annual International Monetary Fund-World Bank meeting in Bali, and the COP 24 climate summit in Katowice, Poland.
The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) says a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to Aghoro community in Bayelsa State is underway to investigate the cause of an oil leak in the neighbourhood.
The outcome of oil spill
It will be recalled that an oil leakage occurred on May 17, 2018 at an oilfield operated by SPDC in Aghoro, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
Mr Bamidele Odugbesan, the Media Relations Manager of SPDC, told NAN in Yenagoa, the state capital, on Thursday, July 5, 2018 via a telephone interview that the oil firm had convened a joint investigation team to visit the area.
He, however, regretted that the rains and swampy nature of the area were hampering the spill response operations.
Reacting to allegations of delayed response to the spill which was reported in May, Odugbesan said that the allegations were baseless, adding that Shell was doing everything possible to control the spill.
“We have been working round-the-clock since the leak occurred; we got the report and as we speak, the JIV is underway but it is not yet concluded because there are three leak points in Aghoro community.
“The JIV team, comprising SPDC officials, regulators, community representatives and Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment officials must visit the three spots before arriving at a conclusion.
“The JIV report will indicate the cause of the spill as well as the estimated volume of crude that was discharged into the area,” he added.
However, community sources in Aghoro told NAN that the investigation team had so far visited two out of the three leak points.
Mr Agbai John, a resident who was part of the JIV team, told NAN that preliminary findings indicated that the oil leaks were traced to corroded pipelines.
He said that sabotage was ruled out because the pipelines, which were buried about three metres underground, showed no signs that they had been tampered with prior to their exhumation with swamp boogie equipment.
Meanwhile, the Oil and Gas Producing Areas Enlightenment and Empowerment Initiative (OGPAEEI), a community-based civil society group, has urged SPDC to expedite action in dealing with the oil spill in the area and bring relief to the victims.
A spokesman for the group, Dr Anapurere Awoli, told NAN that the prolonged exposure of residents of the community to crude oil had exposed them to certain health challenges.
He said that there had been reported cases of respiratory diseases amongst the people, thereby underscoring the need for urgent medical intervention.
Awoli said that OGPAEEI had appealed to SPDC to pay adequate attention to the welfare of the residents of the Aghoro neighbourhood, while attending to the oil spill.
“Our organisation seeks peace and harmony; we have advised Shell to give a human face to its spill response activities by factoring in the welfare of those residents who were affected by the spill.
“They should be meticulous in their damage assessment; they should ensure that all the people who were adversely affected by the oil spill are considered for compensation; that is what usually breeds conflicts and they should nip it in the bud.
“The rains are here and this somewhat makes the terrain even more challenging.
“We have equally asked the residents to engage the services of competent valuers to help them compute their losses for compensation,” he said.
The General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Ltd., Mr Esimaje Brikinn, said illegal bunkering has continued to cause significant damage to the environment.
Illegal oil bunkering
Brikinn said this in Abuja on Thursday, July 5, 2018 during a panel discussion on “Innovative Strategies – Combating Crude Oil Theft & Pipeline Vandalism” at the Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition (NOG).
Brikinn said the activities of pipeline vandals and those engaged in oil bunkering in oil producing states had also affected revenue streams leading to loss of benefits.
According to him, every International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Nigeria has been affected in one way or the other by the activities of oil thieves, engaging in illegal bunkering and `local refining’ operations.
“Chevron evolved a proactive approach to combating the issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalism by involving relevant stakeholders including the government security forces.
“The relevant state governments and the Regional Development Committees (RDCs) under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), a community-driven multi-stakeholder participatory partnership model for community engagement and sustainable development in our areas of operations,” he said.
Brikinn said the platform known as the Community Pipeline and Facilities Surveillance Programme (CPFSP) with strong governance had become a model for enhancing the fight against oil theft and pipeline sabotage.
He said it also enhanced multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaboration and providing sustainable social license for oil and gas operations.
He said in the 13 years of its implementation, the GMoU had recorded significant achievements, especially in areas of education, health, and economic development.
“The NNPC/CNL JV has contributed over N20.6 billion to the RDCs to implement projects and programmes for about 600,000 beneficiaries in more than 400 communities.
“In terms of managing conflict and enhancing peace in communities, the GMoU story is one we are very proud to tell.
“It has resulted in very impressive footprints in various communities and the model has helped improve CNL’s relationship with its neighbouring communities, as it created a clearer and more predictable channel for dialogue,” he said.
He commended the commitment of the traditional institutions, security agencies, community and RDC leaders for driving the multi-stakeholder collaboration for asset protection.
Brikinn said Chevron would continue to work to strengthen its relationship with these stakeholders.
“The community leaders have shown great commitment to this process and have seen the connection between CNL’s operations and their livelihood.
“They understand that an enabling environment for our operations translates to continuous benefits to the communities in terms of our contributions to their socio-economic development,” he added.
The World Cement Association (WCA) is urging industry members to increase efforts to adopt new technologies quickly and at scale to reduce its CO2 emissions in order effectively help fight climate change.
HeidelbergCement is focusing primarily on increasing the use of CO2-neutral fuels and alternative raw materials that are produced as waste in other industries
The cement industry accounts for 5-6% of global greenhouse emissions, and its actions are crucial to help achieve the central goal of the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement to limit global warming well below 2C degrees and as close as possible to 1.5.
In a statement issued after recent WCA forum on change climate, the Association called on the entire cement industry to “put greater focus on innovation in order to make crucial progress on reducing CO2 emissions”,
The WCA Global Climate Change Forum also heard that existing technologies to reduce CO2 emissions are “typically adopted too slowly”, with the technologies currently deployed by the sector only delivering 50% of the CO2 savings required to achieve the Paris Agreement goal.
The World Cement Association intends to develop a clear climate change action plan, which will be published in September, and will focus on “clear and tangible actions for transition to low-carbon production”.
Cement As a Core Element of Global Infrastructure Is Highly Energy Intensive
Concrete is the second most used substance on Earth after water. Cement is the main component of concrete and is produced globally to build housing, bridges, roads, highways and dams.
The cement manufacturing process is resource and energy intensive due to the extreme heat required for production. For example, large amounts of fossil fuels are used to heat a high temperature kiln to around 1400°C and decompose limestone and other raw materials to form a substance called clinker, which is then combined with gypsum to make cement.
Depending on the variety and process, plants require 60-130 kg of fuel oil and 110 kWh of electricity to produce each tone of cement. For every tonne of cement made, the process releases approximately one tonne of carbon dioxide.
Inspiring Examples of Climate Action in the Cement Industry
Companies are increasingly serious about reducing their emissions – for example Germany’s HeidelbergCement and India’s Dalmia Bharat.
Take the case of HeidelbergCement, one of the world’s largest companies for building materials. Implementing an externally verified plan for CO2 reduction, HeidelbergCement is focusing primarily on increasing the use of CO2-neutral fuels and alternative raw materials that are produced as waste in other industries. A large share of such secondary raw material comes from the metalworking industry.
With these measures the company says it has reduced net CO2 emissions by 22 percent to 598 kg CO2/tonne cement, between 1990 and 2016.
On the other side of the planet, India’s Dalmia Bharat is another leading cement manufacturer undertaking measures to use eco-friendly raw materials and to replace natural resources by utilising the waste generated from other industries. With a group carbon footprint of 493 kg CO2/tonne of cementitious material, the company delivers one of the least carbon-intensive cement operation in the world. In 2015-16, the company said it achieved a 16% reduction in its carbon footprint.
Last year, Dalmia Cement also became the first cement company to join RE100 – a global initiative of the world’s leading companies committed to 100% renewable power.
Meanwhile, technology development – from smog-eating building tiles in Mexico to cement that sucks carbon-dioxide (CO2) from the air in Canada – are creating new options where cement could become one of the solutions to climate change rather than one of its problems.
Such options for cement manufacturers include energy efficiency improvement, the use of recycled and waste materials, deployment of low carbon fuels and processing of cement at lower temperatures.
So, while the current climate change challenge for the cement industry may seem to pose a threat to the long-term viability of the sector, it certainly presents a defining moment for the industry to lay the foundation for a lower carbon and more safe future for everyone.
Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State says it spends N13.5 million monthly on waste disposal to prevent flooding in the area.
Flooding in Suleja
Alhaji Abdullahi Maje, Chairman of the council, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna, the state capital, on Thursday, July 5, 2018.
He warned residents to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drains and waterways so as to overcome the perennial menace of flooding.
“It has become necessary for all residents to desist from the old habit of dumping refuse on waterways and drains to avoid flooding, especially during this rainy season,” he said.
“We have reached out to traditional and religious leaders to properly mobilise and enlighten their residents to stop the habit of dumping of waste on waterways.
“This is the right time to accord water and streams the necessary leeway to flow unhindered,” he said.
He said that the situation might get worse if not curbed, particularly now that the rainy season is at its peak.
He said that the local administration have provided ten articulated vehicles for the removal of debris from streams and rivers that were prone to flooding and erosion to prevent any calamity.
Maje recalled that 100 houses were affected as a result of flooding, while eight houses were washed away in the flood, after 10 hours heavy rainfall last year.
He stressed the need for residents to desist from dumping of refuses on waterways and drains as part of measures to prevent flooding in the area.
Australia’s unique reptiles – including lizards and snakes – face severe threats from invasive species and climate change, with 7% of them threatened with extinction, reveals the latest update of The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, published on Thursday, July 5, 2018.
The Grassland Earless Dragon has moved from the Vulnerable to the Endangered category
The Mauritian Flying Fox, an important pollinator, is now listed as Endangered due to a culling campaign, Thursday’s update also reveals. There is some good news after the rediscovery of four South American amphibian species previously thought to be extinct.
The IUCN Red List now includes 93,577 species, of which 26,197 are threatened with extinction.
“Today’s IUCN Red List update reveals the onslaught of threats that our planet’s biodiversity is facing,” says IUCN Director General, Inger Andersen. “Invasive species, changes to fire patterns, cyclones and human-wildlife conflict are just some of the many threats wreaking havoc on our planet’s ecosystems. As species from Mauritius to Australia slip towards extinction we risk losing a part of our culture and our identity, as well as the life-supporting benefits these species provide by pollinating our crops or preserving healthy soils.”
Australia’s reptiles threatened by invasive species and climate change
Australia’s reptiles face rising threats from invasive species and climate change, with 7% now threatened with extinction, The IUCN Red List update reveals after a comprehensive survey of the continent’s reptiles. The Red List now includes 975 Australian reptile species – almost all of Australia’s reptiles, the majority of them endemic to the continent.
Invasive species are the main threat to the survival of over half of these threatened reptiles. A recent study found that invasive feral cats alone are estimated to kill about 600 million reptiles each year. One of the many species of reptile predated by feral cats is the Grassland Earless Dragon (Tympanocryptis pinguicolla), which moved from the Vulnerable to the Endangered category. Changes to the intensity and frequency of fires – caused by a combination of agricultural management, the loss of traditional indigenous burning practices and invasive weeds – are an additional threat to this species. Like many Australian species, the Grassland Earless Dragon is naturally adapted to the semi-natural wildfire patterns that were in place prior to European settlement.
Another invasive species threatening Australia’s reptiles is the toxic Cane Toad, which was introduced to Australia in 1935. For the Mitchell’s Water Monitor (Varanus mitchelli), which enters the Red List as Critically Endangered, dining on the toxic Cane Toad has resulted in population declines of up to 97% in some areas, following the arrival of toads. Australia’s reptiles are particularly vulnerable to poisoning by the Cane Toad as Australia has no native toads or other species that produce the same toxins.
Climate change is also increasingly threatening Australia’s reptiles, including the Vulnerable Bartle Frere Cool-skink (Techmarscincus jigurru), a cold-adapted species found only on the summit of Queensland’s tallest mountain, Mount Bartle Frere. A 1°C increase in temperature is likely to result in a loss of 50% of the Cool-skink’s population within 30 years, as there are no cooler areas for the animal to move to.
“This Red List update highlights the vulnerability of Australia’s lizards and snakes to invasive alien species, including the toxic Cane Toad and feral cats, often in combination with threats from habitat loss due to invasive weeds, development, and fire,” says Philip Bowles, IUCN SSC Snake and Lizard Red List Authority Coordinator. “Understanding the threats to each of Australia’s native reptile species will help us effectively work with the Australian Government, local conservation groups and Aboriginal people to address them.”
Australia’s unusually diverse reptiles evolved in isolation from those elsewhere and represent almost 10% of the world’s reptile fauna. Some of these animals are important components of the environment and wider food chain. For indigenous people, Australian reptiles, particularly the carnivorous and frugivorous lizards and pythons, are an important part of their culture and are used as emblems and in storytelling, as well as food.
Invasive plants threaten Azores island beetles
Over a hundred insect species from the Portuguese islands of the Azores have been assessed for the IUCN Red List, and 74% of these are threatened with extinction. Habitat degradation exacerbated by invasive plant species, land use change and a drying climate are the main threats. All 12 assessed species of Ironclad Beetles (Tarphius spp.) are considered threatened with extinction. These beetles rely on decomposing wood, mosses and fern cover for survival, but the Kahili Ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum), a plant introduced from the Himalayas, is slowly replacing native plant species. The Terceira Island Ironclad Beetle (Tarphius relictus) has been particularly affected by this change and is now limited to a range of less than one hectare. The recent establishment of a protected area by the Azorean Government, based on the draft assessment of the Ironclad Beetle, provides some hope for the future of this species.
“Beetles are key components of ecosystems, fulfilling critical functions such as predation and pollination,” says Axel Hochkirch, Chair of the IUCN SSC Invertebrate Conservation Sub-Committee. “Small changes in habitats have great impacts on invertebrates and species endemic to islands are particularly threatened.”
Mauritian Flying Fox now Endangered following culling campaign
The Mauritian Flying Fox (Pteropus niger), a large bat species found only on the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and Réunion, has moved from Vulnerable to Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The bat population fell by an estimated 50% between 2015 and 2016 largely due to government-implemented culling of the bats, motivated by alleged damage to lychee and mango fruit crops.
The species also faces threats from deforestation, cyclones, illegal hunting and accidental mortality from power lines. Cyclones have caused population declines of over 95% in flying fox species on other islands, and remain an important threat to the Mauritian Flying Fox as cyclones are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity in the region.
The species fulfils a crucial role in Mauritius ecosystems by pollinating native plants and dispersing seeds. The IUCN SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict Task Force is working with the Mauritian Government, fruit growers, scientists and other stakeholders to address the underlying issues and to seek out alternative ways of protecting fruit crops, such as the use of netting and modernisation of orchard management.
In 2015, IUCN warned in a statement that culling would very likely result in the species moving closer to extinction on The IUCN Red List. Meanwhile, through conflict resolution dialogue, the Task Force together with the IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group and the Mauritian Government have made promising progress towards developing acceptable solutions for all affected parties, and no further culls have taken place since 2016.
Amphibian species rediscovered
Despite extremely high levels of threat to amphibians globally, there is some good news for amphibians after four species previously considered as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) or Extinct were rediscovered in Colombia and Ecuador. The Rio Pescado Stubfoot Toad (Atelopus balios), Quito Stubfoot Toad (Atelopus ignescens) and Atelopus nanay were all suspected to have disappeared due to the effects of the deadly chytridiomycosis disease. The Carchi Andes Toad (Rhaebo colomai) was so heavily impacted by habitat loss that it was also feared to be gone forever.
“While these rediscoveries are encouraging news, the species are still negatively impacted by human-induced threats,” says Jennifer Luedtke, IUCN SSC Amphibian Red List Authority Coordinator. “These species still have to contend with severe habitat destruction and degradation, predation by non-native trout species, chytridiomycosis, and the effects of a changing climate, highlighting the urgent need to improve the conservation of these species to prevent their extinction.”
Japanese earthworms assessed for the first time
Of the 43 native species of Japanese earthworms assessed for the Red List through funding from the IUCN – Toyota Motor Corporation Partnership, three species are considered threatened with extinction (Eisenia anzac, Drawida moriokaensis and Drawida ofunatoensis). Agricultural intensification, urban expansion and radioactive fallout from World War II and the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi reactor explosion are the main threats to these species.
Earthworms help maintain healthy soils, increase soil aeration and infiltration of rain. They are also the foundation of many food chains. In Japan, earthworms are traditionally used as fishing bait and medicine. They are also culturally significant, with mythical stories told of giant, singing earthworms ascending to heaven and becoming dragons.
Demand for perfume threatens one of the world’s most valued woods
The Aquilaria malaccensis tree, which produces one of the world’s most valued woods, moved from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered as logging and deforestation caused populations to decline by more than 80% over the past 150 years. Agarwood develops in the core of some Aquilaria trees after they are infected by a mould and the tree produces a fragrant, dark resin as a defence mechanism against the infection. It is difficult to tell which wild trees contain agarwood, leading poachers to cut down large numbers of trees in search of the precious wood. Aquilaria malaccensis is one of the world’s preferred agarwood-producing species used for perfumery.
Other Species
Precious Stream-toad (Ansonia smeagol) – Named after The Lord of the Rings character ‘Smeagol’, this amphibian enters the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable. The species is endemic to the Genting Highlands in Peninsular Malaysia and is threatened by large and expanding tourist resorts and entertainment complexes. Unless something is done to stop these developments from encroaching on the range of this species and affecting the water quality of the streams the toad relies on for its survival, it might vanish forever.
Bankoualé Palm (Livistona carinensis) – The Bankoualé Palm has moved from Vulnerable to Endangered on the Red List after its population and range declined because of over-exploitation and habitat loss. This culturally significant palm has been used for thousands of years for house building, firewood and crafts in oasis areas of Djibouti, Yemen and Somalia. Agricultural encroachment from date palm plantations and diversion of surface water for use in gardening pose particular threats in Yemen, exacerbated by increased levels of drought.
Jamaican Hutia (Geocapromys brownii) – Endemic to Jamaica, this large rodent has moved from Vulnerable to Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Hunting pressure and ongoing habitat loss and degradation are likely to be responsible for its decline, including its apparent disappearance from Cockpit Country in recent decades. Predation by introduced cats, dogs and mongoose are further threats. There is some evidence of population expansion in areas where hunting has been reduced, indicating conservation actions may improve the status of this species.
Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae) – the world’s largest butterfly; a reassessment of this species confirms that it is still Endangered. This striking turquoise and yellow butterfly has a wingspan of 250 mm and is endemic to New Guinea. Until trade became illegal in 1987, this butterfly was a trafficked species for the curio market; one imperfect male was sold for $2,850 in 1985. This species thrives in stable habitats, so habitat destruction from cocoa, rubber and oil palm plantations are now the prime threats to this species.
In 2015, the Union ministry of environment, forests & climate change (MoEF&CC) had announced new emission norms for thermal power plants across India. For power stations located within 300 km of the Delhi-NCR region, the deadline for meeting the norms is December 2019. A new survey by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) indicates that most plants will not meet the deadline. This means that thermal power plants in Delhi-NCR will continue to contribute to the overload of toxic pollution in the capital’s air.
As Delhi’s pollution levels rise to severe, the EPCA has directed governments to impose all conditions under the Graded Response Action Plan under severe category
That’s not all. The Delhi-NCR region has over 3,000 legal brick kilns, which had been largely practicing the extremely polluting FCBTK process of manufacturing bricks. In a major step forward, and following action and directives from the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), these kilns have agreed to convert to a cleaner technology – what is known as the zigzag process. However, a new CSE assessment reveals that more than half of the kilns have not converted to the zigzag technology efficiently, thereby negating any gains that might have accrued from them in Delhi’s fight against bad air.
Says Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general, CSE: “Delhi-NCR’s comprehensive clean air action plan is floundering because of the apathy of the regulatory agencies. Our survey of brick kilns and thermal power plants shows that despite regulations and intervention of the Supreme Court and the EPCA, the implementation on the ground is highly compromised. Thermal power plants will not be able to meet stringent emission norms by 2019, and brick kilns’ conversion to a cleaner zigzag technology will not lead to real reductions in emissions.”
Brick kilns: What the CSE survey says
The CSE survey was conducted to analyse the quality of conversion in 63 kilns across 13 districts in Delhi-NCR. To ascertain the combustion efficiency of the kilns, CSE also monitored the emissions of seven kilns – six of which have adopted the zigzag technology, while one continues to operate the old FCBTK process. The assessment’s findings were as follows:
About 1,000 kilns have already ‘converted’ to the zigzag technology, and the remaining 1,500 have given an affidavit to the EPCA to convert by October 2018.
The conversion to zigzag is leading to real reductions in emissions. If the conversion quality is good, the emissions reduction can be as much as 50-70 per cent. However, only about 20 per cent of the surveyed kilns had done good conversion.
About 30 per cent of the kilns had average conversion quality and will be able to reduce emissions by 20-30 per cent, compared to the FCBTK technology.
Thirty-five per cent of the kilns had poor conversion quality and will not see any measurable reductions in emissions.
About 15 per cent of the brick kilns were found to be bypassing the law. They have done cosmetic changes and have not converted to the zigzag technology.
The survey result was confirmed by pollution monitoring of 10 per cent of the surveyed kilns.
Better converted zigzag kilns (three out of six) were found to be having a CO/CO2 ratio below 0.015 — a 70 per cent combustion efficiency improvement compared to FCBTKs. Average performing kilns (one out of six) had a ratio between 0.015 and 0.03, an almost 30-50 per cent improvement. Poor performing zigzag kilns (two out of six) had a CO/CO2 ratio between 0.045 and 0.05 and point to no improvement over FCBTK.
CSE researchers point out that the inspection done by the state pollution control boards, before certifying that the kilns had converted, has been highly unsatisfactory.
Other key findings of the survey include the use of hazardous waste such as plastic, rubber and carbon as fuel in the kilns and the near absence of any facility at the kilns to monitor air pollution; 90 per cent of the kilns did not have the ladder and porthole to monitor PM emissions.
“Proper conversion of FCBTK to zigzag can reduce the pollution from brick kilns significantly. But our survey clearly shows that only about 20 per cent have done good conversion. The conversion quality of more than 50 per cent of the kilns is highly unsatisfactory and such conversions will not lead to any real gains in pollution control,” says Nivit Kumar Yadav, senior programme manager, CSE.
Thermal power plants: What the CSE survey says
CSE’s survey of thermal power stations in Delhi-NCR was aimed at assessing the preparedness of the plants to meet the impending deadline 0f 2019.
The survey findings show little progress to meet the 2019 deadline:
In the case of sulphur di oxide (SO2) emissions, 83 per cent of the plants will not be able to comply with the 2019 deadline, unless they are able to fast-track the entire process from feasibility studies to construction and installation work.
Half of the region’s installed capacity may be able to meet the 2019 deadline for nitrogen oxide (NOx) control. The remaining have not reported any plans to achieve compliance.
In the case of particulate matter (PM), about 35 per cent of the overall installed capacity will not meet the deadline. In fact, another 50 per cent has been asked to meet the norms immediately but no credible data is available to confirm they are in compliance. Accordingly, 88 per cent of the plants may not be able to comply with PM norms.
“As things stand, 80 per cent of the plants will not meet the 2019 deadline. The concerned regulatory authorities must take immediate steps to prevent further slippage on achieving the target. State pollution authorities must ask power plants to furnish, immediately, the current emissions data and milestones with deadlines. Also, a suitable penalty mechanism should be introduced as a deterrent to ensure that plants stay on track to meet the norms,” says Priyavrat Bhati, programme director, energy unit, CSE.
“The bottom-line is that Delhi-NCR cannot afford poor implementation of the comprehensive clean air action plan. Winters, the season of severely polluted air quality, are approaching fast. It is time the government agencies on the ground, especially the central and state pollution control boards, ensure that the conversion of brick kilns to zigzag is done appropriately and thermal power plants expedite the setting-up of pollution control systems to meet the 2019 deadline,” says Bhushan.
