32.6 C
Lagos
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Home Blog Page 2026

Images of 2016 Earth Hour celebration in West Africa

admin
-
0
Images of 2016 Earth Hour celebration in West Africa

Over five thousand youths from civil society groups in Nigeria, Senegal, Nigér, Ivory Coast, Bénin, Togo, Ghana and Gambia on Saturday observed the 2016 Earth Hour celebration with a call on governments and private sector players to do more to reverse climate change impact.

Indeed, major landmarks, businesses and households in cities around the world turned their lights off for one hour at 8.30pm on Saturday 19 March to raise awareness about climate change and show support for renewable energy.

Some of the landmarks include: Houses of Parliament in London; Piccadilly Circus, London; Eiffel Tower, Paris; Brandenburger Tor gate in Berlin; Trevi Fountain, Rome; Schoenbrunn Palace, Vienna; Hyllie Water Tower in Malmo, Sweden; National Library of Belarus in Minsk; Bolshoi Kamenny Bridge with the Kremlin, Moscow; Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Australia; Sydney Opera House, Australia; Taipei 101 skyscraper, Taiwan; Tokyo Tower, Japan; National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, in Beijing, China; Marina Bay Sands hotel and resort in Singapore; Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Business District in Jakarta, Indonesia; Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand; and, Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia.

EnviroNews relieves memories of the celebration of the global event on the West African sub-region.

Earth Hour celebration in Abuja, Nigeria
Earth Hour celebration in Abuja, Nigeria
Earth Hour celebration in Cotonou, Benin Republic
Earth Hour celebration in Cotonou, Benin Republic
Earth Hour celebration in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Earth Hour celebration in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Earth Hour celebration in Banjul, The Gambia
Earth Hour celebration in Banjul, The Gambia
Earth Hour celebration in Lagos, Nigeria
Earth Hour celebration in Lagos, Nigeria
Earth Hour celebration in Makurdi, Nigeria
Earth Hour celebration in Makurdi, Nigeria
Earth Hour celebration in Niamey, Niger Republic
Earth Hour celebration in Niamey, Niger Republic
Earth Hour celebration in Dakar, Senegal
Earth Hour celebration in Dakar, Senegal
Earth Hour celebration in Jalingo, Nigeria
Earth Hour celebration in Jalingo, Nigeria
Earth Hour celebration in Lome, Togo
Earth Hour celebration in Lome, Togo

2016 Earth Hour: Youths demand actions to reverse climate change impact

admin
-
0
2016 Earth Hour: Youths demand actions to reverse climate change impact

Over five thousand youths in eight West Africa countries have called on governments, as well as relevant private sector players to be more proactive and facilitate the establishment of sound institutional frameworks to help empower citizens to reverse the impact of climate change on sources of livelihoods and sustainable growth across the region.

Youths observe Earth Hour in Nigeria
Youths observe Earth Hour in Nigeria

The youths, who constitute members of groups from Nigeria, Senegal, Nigér, Ivory Coast, Bénin, Togo, Ghana and Gambia, made this call during the 2016 Earth Hour celebration, a global event dedicated to raise awareness on the devastating impact of unpredicted changes in weather pattern on agriculture, water and energy sources, as well as the role of citizens in ensuring environmental conservation.

2016 marks the 10th lights-out event since Earth Hour’s debut in Sydney, Australia in 2007. In the past nine years, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Earth Hour teams around the world have harnessed the power of the movement to raise support and funds for access to renewable energy, protection of wildlife and their habitats, building sustainable livelihoods and driving climate-friendly legislation and policy.

Hamzat Lawal, the Chief Executive Officer of Connected Development (CODE), which promoted the programme in the region, said the event provides opportunity not only to discuss the negative, but also the abundant opportunities and positive aspects of climate change as well as how to live sustainably to save the environment from destruction.

“For us at Connected Development, we felt we should support groups like these across the West Africa region not to only depend on the government to take action,” Lawal said. “But we want people to take individual action, because from individual action we are going to have collective action where we are able to create jobs and sustain the environment.”

With the theme of this year’s celebration tagged: “Change Climate Change,” the group in Nigeria as part of its commitment extended its voice to support a petition asking the Federal Government to stop the Cross River State Super Highway project, a massive road construction exercise environmental advocates said would undermine protection of the largest forest cover in the country.

Participants from Lagos, Abuja, Cross River, Taraba and Benue states mobilised and carried out a candle light procession, cultural display, comedy as well as musical shows during the celebration to raise awareness and increase public knowledge on how to create a low carbon economy.

“In 2016, Earth Hour will continue to compliment grassroots efforts including driving a petition to save the Ekuri Forest and biodiversity in the Sahel of Africa, as well as help devise a comprehensive solution to the persistent waste management crisis by working with governments, businesses and civil society groups simultaneously,” said Oludotun Babayemi, West Africa Regional Director of Earth Hour, and the Monitoring & Evaluation expert to CODE.

Participants who spoke on the significance and involvement of young people in climate matters described the occasion as a trend setter that brings awareness to communities and various stakeholders with a message that emphasised the fact that it takes little effort to contribute towards sustainable development.

“This is a wakeup call for all actors to join forces to make a significant impact towards reversing climate change and to improve the livelihoods of the poor in our communities,” said Emmanuel Njoku, environmental rights campaigner and social activist.

By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja 

Food security: GEO launches early warning crop monitor

admin
-
0
Food security: GEO launches early warning crop monitor

The Group on Earth Observations has announced the launch of the Early Warning Crop Monitor (EWCM), a new tool to fight food insecurity. The announcement was made during the GEO 36th Executive Meeting held in Geneva on 8-9 March.

GEO’s US Co-Chair, Dr Kathryn Sullivan
GEO’s US Co-Chair, Dr Kathryn Sullivan

Developed by the GEO Global Agricultural Monitoring Initiative (GEOGLAM), initiated by the G-20 Agriculture Ministers, the EWCM provides consensus reports on crop conditions in countries at risk of food insecurity in Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and East Asia. The March EWCM bulletin reports that countries in Southeast Asia, and even more so in Southern Africa, face severe droughts attributed to the on-going El Niño.

The EWCM, together with the GEOGLAM Crop Monitor for the Agricultural Market Information Service (AMIS), will ultimately monitor crop development in 124 countries, totalling about 94 percent of the world’s agricultural area. Both reports synthesise remote sensing data, field observations and environmental modelling conducted by more than 40 international, regional and national organisations. The monthly reports are made available to decision-makers across the food security community and to the commodities markets. (http://www.geoglam-crop-monitor.org/)

GEO’s US Co-Chair, Dr Kathryn Sullivan, Administrator of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), stated, “Concerns over food and water security are rising globally.  Ensuring that agricultural industries around the world have access to the best science, data, tools and resources is essential as we work to increase food security and mitigate the effects of droughts and floods. The GEOGLAM Early Warning Crop Monitor provides decision-makers with essential information, gathered from satellites, buoys and other observational tools, to be ready, responsive and resilient against extreme weather and water events.”

During its latest meeting, the GEO Executive Committee also welcomed new Participating Organisations: European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC); Joint Board of Geospatial Information Societies (JBGIS); Mountain Research Initiative (MRI); and a new Observer, the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF).

In addition to Kathryn Sullivan, the Executive Committee Co-Chairs include Hejun Yin, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology (China); Rudolf Strohmeier, Assistant Director-General, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (European Commission); and Philemon Mjwara, Director-General, Department of Science and Technology (South Africa).

The intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO) is comprised of 102 member states, including the European Commission, and 95 participating organisations. Established in 2005, GEO strives to improve the world’s observation systems and provide policy makers and scientists with accurate and useful data that can be used to make informed decisions on issues affecting the planet.

Headquartered in Switzerland, the GEO’s primary focus is to develop a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) to enhance the ability of end-users to discover and access Earth observation data and convert it to useable and useful information.

UN climate campaign to make Angry Birds happy

admin
-
0
UN climate campaign to make Angry Birds happy

The United Nations encourages young people to take action on climate change and make the Angry Birds happy on the International Day of Happiness

The UN has appointed Red from the 'Angry Birds' as Honorary Ambassador for International Day of Happiness
The UN has appointed Red from the ‘Angry Birds’ as Honorary Ambassador for International Day of Happiness

The United Nations on Friday (March 18) announced a campaign to encourage young people to step up their actions to address climate change and ensure a sustainable and happier future for all.

The campaign is launched in partnership with the “Angry Birds” – the globally renowned mobile game characters – to make a direct link between tackling climate change and people’s happiness and well-being on the occasion of the International Day of Happiness.

“The Angry Birds have entertained millions of people around the world – and now they are part of making the world a better place,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who appointed Red of the Angry Birds as an Honorary Ambassador for Green at a launch event at UN Headquarters in New York.

“We are proud to give Red a reason to go Green. There is no better way to mark the International Day of Happiness than to have our animated ambassador raise awareness about the importance of addressing climate change to create a safer, more sustainable and happier future for all,” Mr. Ban said.

The campaign, in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, the UN Development Programme and UN Foundation, asks the general public across the world to make the Angry Birds happy by taking actions on climate change and sharing their photos and commitments on social media platforms using the common hashtag, #AngryBirdsHappyPlanet. By recycling, taking public transportation and conserving water, for example, individuals can share tips on how they can live sustainably and happily in their everyday lives.

As part of his ambassadorial duties, Red will go on a “virtual world tour” starting on 21 March, highlighting various ways to take climate action. His tour will take him to Paris, where countries adopted an historic agreement to address climate change in December, and will end in New York, where world leaders will sign the Paris Agreement at UN Headquarters on 22 April.

During the launch event, the voice actors from the upcoming Angry Bird movie, Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, and Maya Rudolph, and producers John Cohen and Catherine Winder gave hundreds of students gathered in the iconic UN General Assembly Hall a sneak preview of the #AngryBirdsHappyPlanet campaign materials, including public service announcements created to support the campaign. They also asked the young audience for their support to the campaign by doing their part to make a difference on climate change.

Brazilian opposition to fracking spreads

admin
-
0
Brazilian opposition to fracking spreads

The Federal Court in Brazil has declared the prohibition to use the hydraulic fracturing technology (fracking) to extract fossil fuels in the state of Alagoas. Following Piauí, Sao Paulo, Acre and Paraná, Alagoas thus became the fifth Brazilian state to prohibit fracking in its territory.

Nicole Figueiredo de Oliveira, 350.org Brazil Team Leader
Nicole Figueiredo de Oliveira, 350.org Brazil Team Leader

This sentence is the result of the efforts of the Coalizão Não Fracking Brasil (No-Fracking Brazil Coalition) to raise awareness and support the state attorney’s office in the process of filing a lawsuit against the National Oil and Gas Agency to prevent shale gas exploration and the allocation of new lands for exploration.

The coalition has held several meetings, public hearings and outreach actions to engage communities and local governments in preventing the use of fracking to keep Brazilian communities, the environment and crucial water resources safe from the threats this technology represent.

Eighty municipalities have committed to fight fracking locally, and 56 cities have already achieved its prohibition through local legal action.

“This is a fight we can win,” stated Nicole Figueiredo de Oliveira, 350.org Brazil Team Leader and part of the Coalizão Não Fracking Brasil. “Together with the local governments and the communities, we are winning and we will defeat the fossil fuels industry.”

The Coalizão Não Fracking Brasil along with communities and local partners are now gearing up to take part in the global wave of actions to “Break Free from Fossil Fuels” that will take place this May. Mobilisations across the states of Acre, Ceará, Espíritu Santo and Paraná will highlight the negative impacts of the country’s extractive policies, including oil, gas, fracking and mining, as well as the great potential that the country’s natural resources offer to develop clean energy sources, keep the forests standing and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Fracking is the process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside. Water, sand and chemicals are injected into the rock at high pressure which allows the gas to flow out to the head of the well. The term fracking refers to how the rock is fractured apart by the high pressure mixture.

Environmentalists say potentially carcinogenic chemicals used may escape and contaminate groundwater around the fracking site. The industry suggests pollution incidents are the results of bad practice, rather than an inherently risky technique.

There are also worries that the fracking process can cause small earth tremors.

Campaigners say that fracking is simply distracting energy firms and governments from investing in renewable sources of energy, and encouraging continued reliance on fossil fuels.

State of Palestine joins UNFCCC

admin
-
0
State of Palestine joins UNFCCC

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) now has 197 members following the formal entry on Thursday (March 17) of the State of Palestine.

UNFCCC, Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres
UNFCCC, Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres

This is in accordance with its article 23 (2) which reads as follows: “For each State or regional economic integration organisation that ratifies, accepts or approves the Convention or accedes thereto after the deposit of the 5oth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, the Convention shall enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit by such State or regional economic integration organisation of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.”

The State of Palestine deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention on 18 December 2015.

The State of Palestine, also known simply as Palestine, is a partially recognised state in the Middle East. Its independence was declared on 15 November 1988 by the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) in Algiers as a government-in-exile.

Kofi Annan: Forests destruction poses threat to climate change

admin
-
0
Kofi Annan: Forests destruction poses threat to climate change

The world could miss out in the fight against climate change and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) if the current scale of forest destruction continues, according to Kofi Annan, Chair of the Africa Progress Panel (APP).

Fisheries Transparency Initiative
Kofi Annan, chair of the Africa Progress Panel

Mr Annan warned against the destruction of forests, which provide clean air and water, and local communities with food, shelter and livelihoods, saying, “Each day more forests are cleared, driven by multiple activities, from agriculture to infrastructure development, to the growing demand for wood and forest products, often made worse by illegal logging.”

In his keynote address at the “Forests for the Future – New Forests for Africa” conference in Accra, Ghana on 16 March, Kofi Annan said: “Some of the world’s most precious ecosystems, such as the Virunga National Park in the Congo Basin, are threatened by oil, gas and mineral exploration and exploitation”.

 

Forests and climate change

Forests offer incredible impetus to the fight against climate change. “Forest restoration and reforestation in Africa can contribute to the global effort to tackle climate change and accelerate progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Mr Annan, adding that “forest restoration of 350 million hectares could generate $170 billion per year in net benefits from watershed protection, improved crop yields and forest products.”

To realise these gains, he encouraged African governments to create the conducive environment to promote domestic and international investment in sustainable reforestation initiatives.

In its 2014 report, “Grain, Fish, Money: Financing Africa’s Green and Blue Revolutions,” the APP argued that effective protection, management and mobilisation of Africa’s vast forest resources are needed to support transformative growth. The Panel estimated that Africa lost 12.4 billion Euros (US$ 17 billion) to illegal exports of timber in 2011.

 

Transforming the forestry sector

Kofi Annan challenged Africa’s leadership on reforestation to go hand-in-hand with a massive transformation of its energy sector. “Two out of three Africans – over 600 million people – have no access to electricity. Cut off from the grid, rural populations across the continent often have no other choice than chopping trees to make charcoal for cooking,” he stated, adding that “this is not just driving deforestation and climate change, but also putting people’s health at risk.”

He outlined three key steps to transforming Africa’s forestry sector:

  1. put an end to deforestation and protect the health of our remaining forests;
  2. recognise the huge potential of new forests and invest in sustainable reforestation of degraded lands; and,
  3. put Africa on a pathway towards a low-carbon energy future to end the clearing of forests for energy purposes.

The conference, which aims at large scale reforestation in Africa, is an initiative of the Dutch forestry consultation company, Form International; the sustainable forestry plantation company, Form Ghana; Nyenrode Business University; and in cooperation with The Forestry Commission, Ghana and the World Resources Institute.

By Stephen Yeboah (Research Fellow at the Africa Progress Panel)

Women crusaders kick against water privatisation in Lagos

admin
-
0
Women crusaders kick against water privatisation in Lagos

Veronica Nwanya, Chairperson, African Women Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Network (AWWASHN), tells Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State in a letter presented during a rally on Thursday (March 17) to reject all forms of water privatisation and commodification. The AWWASHN is a group of women advocates in the public and civil society founded to lend a voice on issues bothering on water, sanitation and hygiene

Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State. Photo credit: ecomium.org
Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State. Photo credit: ecomium.org

AWWASHN requests you join us in affirming the fundamental right to clean water and independent self-governance which Lagos citizens deserve. We are deeply troubled that decades of influence by the World Bank and the private water industry have pushed the currently proposed water privatisation plan in Lagos and similar schemes throughout countries of the Global South.

As a group, we are deeply worried that the Lagos State Water Corporation (LSWC) with the support of the World Bank and private water corporations, is pushing hard for privatisation of water in Lagos under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model that is known to have failed in other parts of the world.

Failures in water PPP models have been recorded in Manila, Philippines where, as part owner of water corporations that win PPP contracts, the World Bank has positioned itself to profit from this model. This conflict of interest drives the Bank’s misleading marketing, especially its promotion of key “success stories “like Manila and Nagpur, India, where water PPPs have failed. Around the world, cities from Paris to Dar Es Salaam that have attempted to solve water crisis with PPPs have failed and have instead rolled back water privatisation and advanced down the road of remunicipalisation.

In the light of the above, we urge you and other decision-makers to stop any form of water privatisation in Lagos, including PPPs that are based on models that fail to uphold the human right to water and has locked governments into long-term contracts and enslavement of their people. This is further proven in facts that such deals have proven exceedingly difficult for cities to exit, despite rate hikes, service cutoffs, and unfulfilled infrastructure promises. They prevent cities from making crucial progress towards real solutions to water access challenges.

In the light of this, we urge you to lead us in developing these real solutions that truly address people’s access to water from the prism of human rights. These solutions cannot be found in corporate management of public goods or privatisers managing public assets. The rave today as espoused by the United Nations in 2010 is collective investment in water infrastructure and democratic decision-making prioritising the human right to water above profits. We are ready to stand in solidarity with you and any other leader who shows a strong commitment to investing in a public water system that aims for universal access.

Our demands in this correspondence echo the recommendations civil society and community-based groups made to your Excellency on 23 March 2015 during your governorship campaign. International participants at a two-day International Summit on: Our Water, Our Right, held here in Lagos 11 -12 August 2015 also raised the same points.

As you continue unveiling your administration’s policies to make life in Lagos meaningful for all residents, we again use this medium to ask the Lagos State Government to:

  1. Reject all forms of water privativation and commodification.
  2. Fully uphold the human right to water as an obligation of the government, representing the people.
  3. Integrate broad public participation in developing plans to achieve universal access to clean water.
  4. Reject contracts designed by, involving, or influenced by the IFC, which operates to maximise private profit.
  5. Disclose all IFC and World Bank activity and discussions with Lagos government officials regarding water, including formal and informal advisory roles.
  6. Build the political will to prioritise water for the people, therefore leading to a comprehensive plan that invests in the water infrastructure necessary to provide universal water access, which will create jobs, improve public health, and invigorate the Lagos economy.

We write today to

  1. Ask you to issue a public statement informing Lagos citizens of your government’s stance on Lagos’ controversial PPP water privatisation scheme.
  2. Urge you to propose and develop a comprehensive plan for achieving universal access to clean water in the state.
  3. Respectfully request that you advise the “African Women Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Network”, on whose behalf we write, when we might have an opportunity to meet with you to discuss how we can work together to move Lagos State toward a future where all Lagosians are drinking clean, safe water.

Decentralise wastewater management, experts urge govts

admin
-
0
Decentralise wastewater management, experts urge govts

The Second India Africa Dialogue and Media Briefing Workshop has ended in Accra, Ghana with experts expressing strong disapproval against the global adoption of centralised wastewater or excreta management.

Dr. Suresh RohillaThe workshop with a theme: “Sewerage to Sanitation: Opportunities and Challenges for Sustainable Sanitation Solutions for Future” was organised by the Indian-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in partnership with Kenyan-based Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA) and SATCGO, a Ghana-based association of science journalists.

Speaking at the event that was attended by journalists from 15 African countries, Dr. Suresh Rohilla, Director of CSE’s Water Programme, said that waste-water management had been centralised particularly in urban areas of India and other parts of the world.

While Dr. Rohilla explained that “centralised waste water management means excreta is not managed locally but is only transported through pipelines and dumped somewhere else,” other experts at the workshop said that large quantities of water, which is a precious natural resource, was used in carrying human excreta.

Dr. Sudhir Pillay, a scientist with South Africa’s Water Research Commission, ‎observed that “this is not the best use of water,” adding that the number of people defecating in the open were increasing in 26 of 44 countries in the sub-Saharan Africa.

In Ghana, he said, only 15 percent of people used an “improved” sanitation facility and that the current technology, which is the use of water to flush down excreta, was not sustainable.

“The solution,” he said, “is on-site faecal sludge management using modern septic tanks and other technologies so that the excreta would not use contaminated water bodies.”

Both Pillay and Patrick Apoya, a water and sanitation expert, advocated for Decentralised Wastewater Management Systems (DEWATS), which uses advanced systems including septic tanks, biogas digesters, anaerobic filters and other methods to convert wastewater into clean, usable water.

“The current piped sewerage systems do not treat sewage but merely transport it away. They are toxic and extremely pollute the rivers and lakes where they are finally dumped,” Rohilla said.

Apoya, on his part, shared detailed suggestions on decentralised models that communities could adopt.

A CSE analysis at the workshop stated that, in the corresponding period when the world population increased by three times, water consumption increased six times.

The analysis observes that ‘modern’ lifestyle and processes required more water than before, which consequently leads to water shortage, about 75 percent of the world faces water scarcity, currently.

It therefore saw the necessacity for discarding wasteful practices. “It is not prudent to create water and sanitation systems that are wasteful in design later which we will want to make efficient later.”

It questioned systems and structures that eliminated local people’s participation in decision-making while at the same time, centralising the systems. “While water supply systems were centrally controlled and relied on long transmission lines and transportation of water from distant locations, sewage disposal, too, was done in a centralised manner in most towns and cities. As much as 20 to 50 percent of water was wasted during the supply process.”

By Abdallah el-Kurebe

Net-zero emissions may become law in the UK

admin
-
0
Net-zero emissions may become law in the UK

Energy minister Andrea Leadson tells MPs the Government is seeking to commit to capture ‘the momentum of Paris’

British Prime Minister, David Cameron
British Prime Minister, David Cameron

A key Paris climate treaty commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions will be enshrined in UK law, the Government has said.

Energy minister Andrea Leadsom told MPs that the Government wanted to capture “the momentum of Paris” and would seek to commit future governments to the pledge, part of the treaty which was signed by 200 countries in December.

The commitment was secured following lobbying by the former Labour leader and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband, who had been seeking an amendment to the Energy Bill.

The Paris Treaty committed countries to zero emissions by the second half of the 21st century. Ms Leadsom said that the Government would await the findings of a Climate Change Committee report into the implications of the Paris agreements, but said that minsters believed that zero emissions should be enshrined in law.

“The question is not whether but how we do it,” she said.

Mr Miliband said the decision was “a victory” for MPs across all parties who had called for the commitment.

“It is the right thing to do because the science demands it, it makes economic sense and will build momentum in the fight against climate change,” he said. “It is essential we build on the success of the Paris agreement and do not squander it and I hope other countries will no follow the example of the UK.”

By Charlie Cooper, Independent of London

1...2,0252,0262,027...2,203Page 2,026 of 2,203

TV Report

Archives

2025 EnviroNews Nigeria. All Rights Reserved.

×