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Liberia, Norway launch climate and forest partnership

Michael Simire
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Liberia, Norway launch climate and forest partnership

Liberia and Norway have entered into a partnership to improve forest governance, strengthen law enforcement, and support efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in Liberia. The partnership aims at facilitating green growth through the development of a deforestation free agricultural sector in the country. Norway will support Liberia’s efforts with up to $150 million until 2020.

The partnership was announced at a joint press conference held by the Foreign Minister of Liberia, Augustine K. Ngafuan and the Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg.

Foreign Minister of Liberia, Augustine K. Ngafuan
Foreign Minister of Liberia, Augustine K. Ngafuan

“Particularly at this difficult time, we are proud and happy to enter into this partnership with Norway, further consolidating our decision to embark on a green, sustainable development path. We believe this partnership will have a great impact on our ability to fight climate change, secure our valuable natural resources and provide a living for the Liberian people”, stated President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

By ensuring adequate law enforcement in the forest sector to avoid illegal and unsustainable logging, and by establishing a public-private coalition with multilateral companies committed to ambitious zero deforestation policies, Liberia plans over time to significantly reduce carbon emissions related to deforestation and forest degradation while building an increasingly effective, productive and modern agricultural sector.

“I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the people of Liberia in this difficult time. We fully appreciate that the main focus at present is the safety and wellbeing of the Liberian people. In a long-term perspective, I believe Liberia has the potential to be a great example for other countries in the region on how to work with the private sector to achieve economic growth without deforestation and forest degradation. Liberia’s commitments should be commended, and we are proud to support their efforts”, said Norway’s Prime Minister, Erna Solberg.

Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg
Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg

The Liberian forest is under pressure from both commercial logging and chainsaw logging for local markets; shifting cultivation; the clearing of forest for permanent agriculture; and charcoal production.

Liberia holds 43 per cent of the remaining Upper Guinea forests of West Africa. In addition to important climate benefits connected to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving Liberia’s forest is also of great importance for several other reasons.

The forests’ biological diversity encompasses the last long-term viable populations of several endemic species including the Western Chimpanzees, forest elephants and leopards. Also the rare zebra duiker and pygmy hippopotamus, in addition to over 2000 flowering plants and 225 commercial timber species, are to be found in the Liberian rainforest. The country is listed as one of 34 global biodiversity hotspots.

“This partnership holds promise not only for the forest and climate; but for forest communities that have been marginalized for generations. The partnership’s commitment to respecting and protecting communities’ rights with respect to forests is laudable”, said Silas Siakor, a Liberian environmental campaigner and Goldman Environmental Prize laureate.

In the initial years’ funds from Norway – up to $70 million – will be devoted to the implementation of policy measures and institution building necessary to reach the phase which entails payments for reduced carbon emissions. In the period towards 2020, an additional $80 million USD could be paid for verified reduced emissions. Implementation of the partnership will be flexible and adapted to the challenging circumstances of Liberia.

“This partnership could be a real game-changer for Liberia,” said Global Witness Director Patrick Alley. “It promises to turn the page on a long history of forest destruction, recognising that trees are worth far more standing than they are cut down, and that the people who live in forests are their best protectors. If Liberia delivers on this promise it could help spur the country’s economy and set development on a sustainable path at such a difficult time. The deal also embodies the spirit of international cooperation and pragmatism that is needed to prevent irreversible and catastrophic climate change.”

Measures to be implemented by Liberia in the initial phase include:

  • refrain from issuing any new logging concessions until all concessions have been reviewed by an independent body;
  • build capacity in relevant institutions and further increase efforts to enforce the law and strengthen forest governance;
  • place 30% or more of Liberia‘s forest estate under protected area status before 2020;
  • piloting direct payments to communities for protecting forest;
  • address all key existing and potential drivers of forest related emissions;
  • develop appropriate measurement and reporting systems for carbon emissions from forests.

In addition, Liberia would commission a study to consider alternative models of agriculture investment, including those driven by Liberian small and medium-scale initiatives, inform identification of land areas suitable for deforestation free agricultural supply chain investments, and compose an overarching strategy for the allocation of selected areas for such use. There will also be efforts to establish a public-private coalition with multilateral companies committed to ambitious zero deforestation policies, only allowing companies adhering to such policies – and signing up to relevant Tropical Forest Alliance compacts – to do business in Liberia.

Over 310,000 join People’s Climate March in New York City

Michael Simire
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Over 310,000 join People’s Climate March in New York City

An official count conducted at the People’s Climate March in New York City on Sunday showed that over 310,000 people participated in the largest climate rally in history – more than tripling pre-march estimates of 100,000. Around the world, hundreds of thousands more joined 2,646 events in 156 countries.

People's Climate March“We said it would take everyone to change everything — and everyone showed up,” said Eddie Bautista, Executive Director of the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance.

Shattering expectations, this official attendee count makes the People’s Climate March New York City’s largest social demonstration in the last decade. Well above the 80,000 who attended the 2009 march at the Copenhagen climate talks, the 310,000 attendees at today’s demonstration have set world history just days before a UN Summit bringing world leaders together to discuss tangible action on climate change.

“People around the world are tired of waiting for our politicians to act,” said Payal Parekh, Global Managing Director for 350.org, one of the organisations coordinating the global day of events. “From the islands of the Pacific to the streets of New York City, we’re demanding action, not words. We’re showing what real leadership looks like.”

People's Climate March in New York City
People’s Climate March in New York City

Marches around the world also exceeded expectations with more than 30,000 people taking to the streets in both London and Melbourne and over 25,000 in Paris. Thousands also marched in Delhi, Rio, Paris, Barcelona, Jakarta and beyond. Similarly, thousands will march across the streets of Lagos and other cities in Nigeria on Monday. In most places, the People’s Climate march was the largest demonstration on climate change to date.

In addition, at last count, 2,129,060 people around the world had also signed onto a petition calling for world leaders to take bold action at the UN Climate Summit this week.

“With hundreds of thousands marching in over 2,500 protests worldwide, this is by a long way the largest climate mobilization in history. It’s a wake up call to politicians that climate change is not a green issue anymore, it’s an everybody issue,” said Ricken Patel, the executive director of Avaaz, who delivered the petition to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at 1:00pm on Sunday on the march route.

Lekan Fadina: New York summit portends hope for Paris 2015 climate deal

Michael Simire
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Lekan Fadina: New York summit portends hope for Paris 2015 climate deal

Executive Director, Centre for Investment, Sustainable Development, Management and Environment (CISME), Prince Lekan Fadina, attempts a preview of the historic gathering of world leaders this week in New York, USA, saying that, even though there may be some key absentees, the forum will likely record a lot of positives

 

Prince Lekan Fadina
Prince Lekan Fadina

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon disclosed late last year during COP 19 in Warsaw, Poland that he would convene a meeting of Head of States on September 23, 2014.

There are series of activities outlined for the week-long event, which will include rallies in London, New York and some parts of the world. The climate debates on Monday will feature US Secretary of State John Kerry, Hilary Clinton and Ban Ki-Moon, who are among dignitaries taking part in the themed climate debates. On Tuesday 23rd September, over 130 Heads of States will meet at the UN headquarters in New York for an intensive one-day programme.

Ban Ki-Moon hopes that, by holding this meeting, he can restore faith in the process.

There are just about 15 months to the COP 15 meeting in Paris, France, where countries are expected to agree to a global climate change treaty. It should be borne in mind that, since the Copenhagen UNFCCC Summit in 2009, there has not been a large gathering of top leaders to discuss climate change.

With the attendance of 100 business leaders and about 30 NGOs, the UN Secretary General wants to demonstrate that you can go green and maintain economic growth, which is a major concern for most countries especially after the 2008 financial crash.

This summit is being held even as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says current gas reduction targets fall well short of what is required to stabilise the climate. In a report published in April 2014, it said that countries must have global carbon emission by 2050 to limit warming to 2oc.

The programme for the day seems very detailed, starting with an opening ceremony where a film narrated by Morgan Freeman will be shown to delegates, and over 130 world leaders will get four minutes each to outline their views on climate deal. There will be lunch for heads of states and business leaders where private sector support for climate regulations is likely to become clearer. The World Bank is also expected to release new data on the number of countries and companies pricing carbon.

After lunch, there will be “thematic sessions” covering a diverse set of issues ranging from forests, cities, to finance and science. There will also be contributions of accounts of people on the “frontline” of climate change and be able to tap leading economists for their analysis of the challenges ahead.

Ban Ki-Moon will deliver his summary of the day in a speech that has been worked on for months. He is likely to call for efforts to deliver a global carbon price, back plans for a long term emissions reduction goal and call for a long term emission reduction goal for all countries to back plans to sign off a climate change treaty in Paris in 2015.

 

What to expect at close of the Summit

There will not be any major agreement between the national states. That will be a job for the negotiators in Lima, Peru in November 2014. This will possibly make a draft text for the proposed 2015 Paris deal.

The importance of this Summit is to get political commitment at the highest level of government. It is expected to create an atmosphere where governments and private sector players start to believe that a climate change deal is possible.

The climate economics report backed by nine countries launched by the UN Secretary General during the week could be the foundation for a firm belief that we are on the way to achieve a climate change deal.

 

Other signals to look out for

There are indications that there may be some key notable absentees – such as the India Prime Minister, and leaders from Australia and Canada. China may be sending Vice Premier Zhang Geoli. However, this will not remove the shine from the event.

What will happen to such issues as carbon price, Green Climate Fund? So far it is still around $1 billion from the target. France and others may make firm offers.

Zero emissions: there is growing support for a long term zero net carbon deadline.

Forest /HFCS: leading multinationals may recommit to achieving zero net deforestation by 2020. They will also agree to phase out HFCS, a group of refrigerants with potent climate warming properties by 2015.

US President Barrack Obama is expected to touch on target and achievements such as car efficiency standards, power plant pollution curbs and technologies that can be transferred to poorer countries.

The UN gathering of Heads of State may not be the place for negotiations but it is an opportunity for leaders to publicly support climate negotiations. The outcome may be simple, backing a major pledge to make the 2015 deal a key global goal.

The Summit is a positive signal that there is hope in the horizon that the world may be able to reach an agreement by 2015 in Paris. However, a lot needs to be done by both Annex 1 and Annex 2 Parties to ensure that we collectively appreciate that climate change is a reality which we must addressed in our effort to leave behind a sustainable world for generations yet unborn.

‘Poorly ventilated dental clinics pose mercury health risk’

Michael Simire
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‘Poorly ventilated dental clinics pose mercury health risk’

Dental clinics and medical schools still making use of amalgam, as well as incinerators/medical waste treatment facilities, have been identified as extremely high risk environments for mercury vapour emissions, posing health risk to workers, patients and the general population.

Bioaccumulation of Methylmercury. Source: imgarcade.com
Bioaccumulation of Methylmercury. Source: imgarcade.com

According to a study conducted by SRADev Nigeria, this is due to the fact that a considerable number of dental clinics lack proper ventilation within the facility which prevents the escape of mercury vapor thus leading to a high concentration of the chemical within the confined space. The study, which assessed mercury levels in selected hotspots in the country, also identified inappropriate handling of mercury/mercury amalgam, mercury containing wastes, lack of awareness regarding health hazards of mercury to human health and its impact on the environment as factors worsening the mercury scourge.

Mercury, a naturally occurring element found in air, water and soil, is proven to be a toxic substance that cause health problems. It is a threat to the development of the child in utero and early in life. People are likewise exposed to it when eat fish and shellfish that contain the compound.

Considered by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the top 10 chemicals or groups of chemicals of major public health concern, mercury affects the nervous, digestive and immune systems.

The study, which sampled dental facilities, waste dumpsites, incinerators and university science laboratories in Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja, utilises the Lumex Mercury Analyser RA-915+ device, which found the mercury levels at a dental clinic located in a basement level in Ceddi Plaza in Abuja above the minimum levels.

The report however suggested that besides dentists enlightening patients on the importance of non-mercury dental fillings over amalgam, legal framework of dental amalgam elimination should be formed, implemented and followed up to the latter. A highly ventilated environment (with cross ventilation and exhaust fans) is also recommended for dental practices and operations.

“Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for mercury handling collection, transport and use, be developed and implemented and be dully followed by dentists and other mercury handlers,” the report suggested, adding that the use of manual handling and mixing of amalgam should be discouraged and penalised.

The study adds: “Mercury specific legislation, including national emissions/releases standards, should formulated and made available to public. Media publicity should be made available through the television, radio and street electronic billboards. Promotion of ART and use of best environment friendly technologies be encouraged. Mercury-free alternatives for dental restorations should be promoted, while government should discourage insurance policies and programmes that favour dental amalgam over mercury-free alternatives for dental restorations. Also, the practice of un-sound and environmentally unfriendly incineration methods should be discouraged nationwide.

New York summit: The peoples’ Revolution for Climate Change

Michael Simire
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New York summit: The peoples’ Revolution for Climate Change

The instinct for revolution often arises in the face of reaching a dead-end limit on the threshold scale of expectations and in some instance could be misjudged as a form of desperation for a change; but then, if seen in the light of a reasonable reflection, it looks more like a path or rather an awakening to a healing process. The same instance of reference could be inferred in regard to global mobilisation for the sake of making a new a turn in the quest to addressing the climate change scourge.

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General
Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General

We have reached a decisive point in the history of mankind towards our dealings with one problem that we caused and have failed in a great deal of ways to find an agreeable and common solution to: “Climate Change.” And the time has come when we seem not to have a lot of time to keep dancing around the negotiation tables or playing hide and seek with the future of our planet. The time stands now as it is for us to make a decision and not just the ones that will selfishly favour some short-lived gains that leave nothing but woes ahead for the future of the ones that shows no level of commitment.

The countdown has begun towards the new climate deal in Paris in 2015. The question is, is it time again to get our hopes high? Or rather a time to sit still and make the dangerous conclusion that our hopes could end up being dashed? Of course a lot of reasons abound to develop a default mindset of failure but then I wouldn’t say this time is different because the factors of making this time the distinct moment of change all depends on each and every one of the human community on this planet. This is not just a matter of leaving all in the hands of the leaders, the time calls for every a sundry at least the ones who hope to have a future on a planet not exterminated by climate change to arise in their respective capacity and help push for the realisation not just only a binding agreement by our leaders but a timely manifestation of the structures that will help the people to adapt while we fight the changes our long term indifference has caused us.

The climate summit in New York looks towards preparing the governments leaders ahead of the 2015 climate deal and it is more to getting them committed such that, this time around, they won’t assume their well know default momentum of  a divided camp. The future is grateful to those leaders who have made up their minds to attend while yet there are a number of those still in the process of making a decision of attending and while the numbers on this camp of indecision are much and in a way, the most labeled as culprits. But then and again, the time is not on our side and the common people are taking up a formidable stand this time and it will go down in the history of mankind and in the fight against climate change that some people stood and fought with all they could possibly afford, “The Peoples’ Climate March”

We need to remind our leaders that, for every second wasted on indecision, a child far away in Africa is at the risk of dying of climate change induced famine, a small island in the pacific is getting deeper under water, a part of the Amazon Forest is at the mercy of being cleared, an unbearable heat wave is picking up momentum to kill somewhere, the arctic ice is thawing away and the ecosystems are changing for real – a reflection on the catastrophes every moment of indecision would create.

Making a note of emphasis for Nigeria here, the time has come for a decisive action on adopting a cap measure on the continuous gas flaring in the Niger Delta, for just this reason. Nigeria is the largest contributor to GHGs emission in West Africa, we must make an end to this, and we must lighten our total reliance on fossil fuel and invest in a future of reliance on renewable energy. Every country must be set to bring to reality their respective plans on adaptation and mitigation measure as the fight is for all now and no other option avails.

On a final note, the mobilisation is set and voices are rising all over the world, it is indeed the time to make a push for what we believe, we must get it right this time and for those who wouldn’t yield to the bidding of the time, am afraid the nemesis of their inaction will be a shame for them in the future for the people will win…and our future we shall rescue.

By Bamidele Oni (Executive Director, Green Impact International)

Thailand’s tortoise seizures escalate, says report

Michael Simire
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Thailand’s tortoise seizures escalate, says report

Tortoises and freshwater turtles may be slow movers, but they are being smuggled at lightning speed through Thailand, with close to 19,000 seized in six years.

Tortoises. Photo: Jeff Greenberg / Lonely Planet Images
Tortoises. Photo: Jeff Greenberg / Lonely Planet Images

A new TRAFFIC report, Seizures of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles in Thailand 2008-2013, analyses 53 reported seizures of tortoises and freshwater turtles in Thailand, over half of which took place at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.

But while there were numerous seizures, prosecutions moved at a tortoise pace. A third of the seizures resulted in the arrest of a total of 40 suspects, but only six successful prosecutions were recorded. Fines ranging from THB 20,000–2,170,000 ($620–67,270) and jail terms of six months to two years were meted out.

Tip-offs were invaluable to detecting illegal shipments, underscoring the value of intelligence-based operations especially at entry and exit points. The report recommends targeted surveillance and increased vigilance at smuggling hotspots, particularly key entry and exit points.

“It is encouraging that enforcement officers in Thailand are carrying out such significant seizures, but it really is the follow-up investigations and successful prosecutions that make these seizures effective,” said Dr Chris Shepherd, Regional Director for TRAFFIC in South-East Asia.

Of the 33 species recorded from the seizures, the Southeast Asian Box Turtle Cuora amboinensis was the most numerous, with approximately 7120 animals seized in a single case in 2011. Almost 6000 Indian Star Tortoises Geochelone elegans, popular in the exotic pet trade, were also seized during the six year period.

Illegal shipments were found to enter by air from countries in East Africa and South Asia, and by road from neighbouring countries through overland routes along the Mekong coast and at other border crossings. In addition to those destined for markets in Thailand, animals are also redistributed to other demand centres in South-East Asia and East Asia.

Tortoises and freshwater turtles are commonly traded for food, medicine and the exotic pet trade.

Trade in these species is prohibited or restricted under various national and international legislations, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Additionally, in Thailand permits are required for the import and export of all wildlife.

However, current legislation allows for the seizure of non-native species only at the point of entry or exit, and not within the country. It is therefore not illegal to hold or trade non-native CITES-listed species within Thai borders.

“TRAFFIC calls upon the Thai government to review the Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act to enable action against illegal trade of non-native species,” said Dr Shepherd.

The march towards a new climate deal

Michael Simire
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The march towards a new climate deal

In 1997, when the whole world birthed the Kyoto treaty, it was like we were certainly reaching a monumental turning point in the history of humanity when we can all work unanimously towards curbing the unhealthy increase in global green house gas concentration.  The commitment period was seen as a reasonable timeframe to get the goal of the protocol achieved and set a motion for a new world order in the regards of zero emission future. Alas, 2012 arrived and it was like we were still at the basis of preparation, canvassing for a total ratification and then it became so reasonable to conclude on the note that humanity would be held largely responsible for the catastrophic changes enabled by our inaction towards making a concrete agreement that would ensure a safe future.

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

For over 15 years of the Kyoto commitment we have been able to achieve little less than expected while most of the promises have set records of being all paper-based propaganda.  Year after year, we assemble for conference of parties holding various high level deliberations that have not yielded a tangible result. The commitments of the developed countries have been on declining sequence overtime while promised contributions towards building frontiers of adaptation and mitigation in the developing world have largely remained what they are – promises.

While then, there exist quite a number of innovative alternatives that have been coined out to facilitate the drive towards a climate change stress-free future; the transiting path has been less ambitious on the part of the stakeholders. The green climate fund is yet to be overly financed while taxation policies placed on carbon generation has received a lot of setback in the instance of the Australian government.

The drive towards a low zero-carbon based economy takes into cognisance the phasing out of fossil fuel with a lot investment on renewable energy , a focus for 2050, But then, the IPCC reports has set the whole world on its toes to getting a feasible climate deal else we set off doomsday. As the whole world sets sail for the climate deal in 2015, what are our expectations and our hope? The 2013 edition of the conference of parties was a total lockup as the global Aouth sought for damages and while the annex 1 states wouldn’t yield to such demands. In the brief of the timeframe from then, the green house gases concentration has escalated as never seen before and the accompanied catastrophes with the global south being worst hit.

Ban Ki Moon’s organised climate summit holding in New York this week holds a lot of promise as it would be bringing together world powers and leaders to making headway in preparation for the new climate deal in Paris come 2015. The whole world looks towards achieving the following:

  • Build up towards an ambitious contribution
  • Progress towards transiting to 100% renewable energy
  • Phase out of Fossil fuel
  • High level commitment for a climate agreement in Paris
  • Empowering the green climate fund

Also, by 2015, the new developmental agenda will see the light of day and the need to set a nexus between the goals and climate change will be a dire need to achieve a total development especially in the wise of addressing poverty in the realms of the possible influence on climate change.

A point of reflection here is, are we ready to take on the challenge of making it work this time around? In the view of being serious and committed to ensuring we take humanity to the next phase of development. In my view, we just can’t afford the luxury of waiting again to dance around at the same point we have been for over the last 15 years, we need to make a clear headway to lead into the future.  Each country will have to stand now and make a tangible commitment.

By Bamidele F. Oni (Executive Director of Green Impact International)

Climate deniers and the limits of politics

Michael Simire
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0
Climate deniers and the limits of politics

An instance of consulting some 100 doctors concerning the health of a child and about 97 of the doctors all gave similar prognosis with well proven evidences which all share an above average similitude, Then left with just three of the consulted doctors who in their respected view of  experimentation have not totally arrived at a definite answer. Then having in mind the dying child who stands a narrow chance of surviving if not treated based on every necessary prognosis available, the question is would you give in to prognosis that carried the larger percentage or rather wait on the probabilistic decision from the other less significant odds?

Obama
Obama

The U.S president, Barak Obama, gave this rather vivid description about climate change at the University of California Irvine commencement and it was virally noted as a direct attack on climate deniers.

It is no news again that quite a lot of people still wouldn’t see to the fact that global warming is real and in fact some still attribute the changes to being a normal phase in the progressive evolution of our planet  in adjusting to the period. In a great a deal of way, they all show some similar side of making up premises which would only tend to yield some baseless arguments and in most instances arriving at no definite conclusion. The question is what could be fueling such rather petulant field of view while all facts are glaring enough to make the choice of agreeing to the reality.

I have been trying to see the reasons into the link between politics and climate sciences; obviously, there seems to be no direct nexus between both worlds as they share a different base of operation. Climate sciences is purely an academic premise while politics shares a lot with activities associated with running a government, an organisation or a movement. But then what connects the dots between politics and climate sciences and in a way the scenario of climate change.

Climate change is well admitted as a global phenomenal change which in every way warrants all countries of the world being involved in finding ways of reducing the impacts and most importantly mitigate the causes of greenhouse gas emission. For the reason of this, governments and inter-governmental agencies have been brought together to share expertise and resources to finding a common solution. Having in my mind the definitive nature of governance all around the world which has a lot to do with politicking, then, the differences in our systems of governance which vary so significantly in the respect of influences attributed to positions. Then again, we have to take note of the premise of key personalities among the public who though not seen as parts of governmental systems but in a lot ways hold significant influences as a result of their wealth and probably positions of influence on the public.

Overtime, the bases of governmental operations in the view of making decisions still has the influence of all the premises stated in the preceding paragraph and so the success and failure of arriving at a well accepted made up decision would always have to take into consideration the effect on the economy (investments) and the public (popular opinions). In the wake of climate change, popular opinions haven’t been a major issue that matters but the economy bases of respective nations of the world.

The economy takes precedence in decision making and from every angle of observation; it’s been assumed as a major stumbling block in making a significant progress with action on climate change policies and interventions.

The economic strength of every country is assumed as the fuel of all activities and which is strongly influenced by politics and in a way we can assume, economy as a reason for the existence of governance system within human societies.

So against popular opinions and world acclaimed facts, decisions on climate change cannot seem to be made without the influence of politics, the cost benefit ratio.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been well placed to supply and provide the summary of their related findings on climate change to policy makers to aid their knowledge base and help to facilitate a rapid concession to working out a feasible framework of interventions. But the problem has been with the policy makers who would rather choose to follow the supposedly normal route of decision making which as I would put does not play a supportive and not too relevant role when it comes to climate change. For the reasons of this, skeptics have well risen among even the leaders and supposedly followers. They have built their respective opinions and premise to support their reason for not conforming to what the time calls for “a selfless, sacrificial and timely intervention”. Of course, it is necessary to take into cognisance every factor of consideration; but then, the future is at stake here if we do not accept the obvious fact into reasoning out a possible way out that will ensure a balance in our fears and necessities.

We must be ready to make the due sacrifice and not create a space for denial of facts which are well spelt out. This is obviously misleading some people out of the fact of being responsible and for all that matters, dimming the hope of a collective action against climate change.

There is the need to make some clarification as to the limit to which politics could come to play in certain issues, such as decisions on climate change and alongside we need our leaders not to shy away from assuming some necessary responsibilities while hiding under the disguise of denial.

By Bamidele F. Oni (Executive Director of Green Impact International)

Lagos, Abuja roadshows open fresh vista for clean energy financing

Michael Simire
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0
Lagos, Abuja roadshows open fresh vista for clean energy financing

Two Roadshows were held recently in Abuja and Lagos (on the 9th September and 11th September respectively), courtesy of the West Africa Forum for Clean Energy Financing (WAFCEF) to introduce project developers, prospective applicants and network members to the second cycle of clean energy financing projects. The forum was tagged “WAFCEF 2014”.

SolarThe Roadshows provided opportunities for participants and potential investors to understand the benefits of participation and how to be involved in the application process. The programmes were primarily targeted to clean energy financing project developers and entrepreneurs. The objectives were to advance the growth of clean energy development in Nigeria as well as encourage the participants to effectively participate in the West Africa Forum that will be launched in the next few weeks with Nigeria as one of the key markets for new projects.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Ambassador Dr. Godswill Igali, gave a keynote address. Igali was represented by A. Adebisi, a Director in the Ministry. The opening remarks were delivered by the Head of USAID Nigeria who was represented by Steven E. Henddrix, Supervisory Programme Officer. Present also were partners from various organisations including ECREE, AFDB / DWG. They all commended and associated with the Roadshows and recommended the initiative to participants.

The Roadshows featured the presentation of papers from Segun Adaju, Chief of Party for Winrock International in Nigeria who are the Managers of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Project (REEP); Albert Boateng, CTIPFAN Regional Co-ordinator West Africa; Bobby Namiti, CTIPFAN Regional Co-ordinator, East Africa; and Mr. Olowo, a representative of ECOBANK.

The presentations at the Roadshows included introduction to CTIPFAN WAFCEF2, Key issues to cover in successful Proposal, Bankers Perspective, Developers Experience and Mentor’s Perspective.

Participants were worked through Business Plan Development, Investment and Project Analysis, Cash flow and Presentation of the Documents.

The participants had opportunity during questions and answers sessions which was participatory and enriching to contribute to the programmes.

The events, organised by CTIPFAN and REEP on behalf of WAFCEF, ended with the West Africa Coordinator, Albert Boateng, commending the high level of participation and the effort of Winrock International and the Network Partner, CISME Consulting, for making the events successful.

Lagos Ebola containment: Govt. pledges to support affected hospitals

admin
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Lagos Ebola containment: Govt. pledges to support affected hospitals

It has been two months the Nigerian government and the World Health Organisation shut down First Consultant Hospital to decontaminate it from Ebola Virus after the first imported case by a Liberian /American died in the hospital on July 25.

 

The Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola visited the hospital on Friday and promised the state will replace equipment the hospital lost in the process of decontamination.

 

I also spoke to one f the survivours Adaora Igodoh , a medical doctor who had just started working with the hospital on july 1st this year when sh got infected by Patrick Sawyer.

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