Cartoonist, Francis Odupute, submits:
In Nigeria’s Niger Delta and elsewhere in the world, water access, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) continues to be sacrificed daily on the altar of oil money. When will we stop the organised/legalised climate crimes?
Cartoon by Francis Odupute
The United Nations has pledged to assist Zimbabwe in mobilising resources to address the El Nino-induced drought crisis.
This commitment follows President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s declaration of a state of disaster due to the drought, which has significantly reduced cereal output and affected critical food security resources for rural communities.
“The UN pledges its support to the government of Zimbabwe in mobilising resources to tackle the El Nino-induced drought, and efforts are underway to finalise a response plan.
“The response plan would focus on food security, health, education, shelter and other essential areas to address the needs of those affected by the crisis,” said Edward Kallon, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Zimbabwe.
As part of its anticipatory action and early response, the UN allocated Zimbabwe $5 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund in December 2023, targeting areas such as water, hygiene and sanitation, health, food security and nutrition.
Noting the severe impact of the dry spell in Zimbabwe and the southern African region, Kallon said that in Zimbabwe, the crisis has far-reaching consequences across various sectors of the economy.
In declaring the disaster, Mnangagwa said that Zimbabwe requires over two billion dollars to respond to the drought.
Despite planting 1,728,897 hectares of maize crop and other cereals this year, which should have guaranteed a bountiful harvest, only 868,273 metric tonnes of cereal are expected in this season’s harvest.
This leaves the nation with a cereal deficit of nearly 680,000 metric tonnes of grain, according to Mnangagwa.
Zimbabwe has an annual cereal requirement of 2.2 million tonnes for both human and livestock consumption.
An agronomist, Mr Joseph Kaltungo, has raised concerns over the impact of climate change on food security efforts, urging government at all levels to intensify investment in dry season farming.
Kaltungo said in Gombe on Thursday, April 4, 2024, that climate change issues must be taken seriously if the country was to make progress in food security.
According to him, the impact of climate change on agriculture can result to major food crisis in the country as well as discourage farmers from the vocation.
He stated that climate change impact on agriculture was gradually affecting the incomes of farmers and gradually pushing many of them into poverty.
“In my life as an agriculturist I have never seen a dry spell in September as witnessed in 2023. This had severe impact on all crops and caused farmers to have great loss.
“The rain stopped in September for three to four weeks at a level of translocation of photosynthesis.
“This is when all crops were about removing all the foods that have been formed in the plant and depositing them either as grains, rice, ground nuts and cassava amongst others.
“And this process requires water medium, soil moisture for translocation and there was no water, so translocation was impacted negatively,” he said.
Mr Kaltungo, the former acting programme manager, Gombe State Agricultural Development Programme, said the challenge affected the yield for 2023 cropping season.
According to him, hectares of farmland where farmers could have 100 bags of rice under normal condition produced only 10 bags, adding that the same was happened to maize and other crops.
He said climate change, amongst other factors was gradually leading to food insecurity, hence the urgent need for governments to invest massively in agriculture, particularly in dry season farming.
“As an agriculturist I can tell you that the major solution to addressing the impact of climate change on agriculture is to increase investment in dry season farming.
“In dry season farming all factors are regulated and you can have better harvest per hectare than in wet seasoning farming.
“In dry season flood, dry spell and other issues associated with weather and climate change have no impact on crops,” he said.
By Peter Uwumarogie
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and SRADEV-Nigeria have reiterated their commitment towards the elimination of Lead from paint in the country.
The stakeholders are also seeking safer alternatives to the use of lead in paints.
The stakeholders stated this at the regional Lead awareness workshop on Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Abuja.
The workshop was organised by NESREA in collaboration with SRADEV-Nigeria as part of the Lead Exposure Elimination Project.
The theme of the workshop is: “Strengthening national capacity towards elimination of Lead paint in Nigeria”.
The Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, said that Lead is a highly toxic substance that poses severe health risks, especially to children.
He said that exposure to Lead could result in irreversible neurological damage, developmental disorders, and a host of other health complications.
Jauro said that the primary purpose of the workshop was to raise awareness on the dangers of leaded paints, safer alternatives and reformulation methods for SMEs across the country.
“Our mandate encompasses a wide range of activities, including the regulation of chemicals, waste, pollution control, and environmental impact assessment, among others.
“Today, we gathered here to address a pressing issue that directly affects the health and well-being of everybody, the elimination of lead paint,” he said.
He said NESREA had recently reviewed and gazetted the National Environmental (Chemicals and Pesticides) Regulations 2023.
“These regulations take into account emerging environmental concerns, including the presence of lead in paint.
“By doing so, we aim to strengthen the legal framework governing the production, importation, distribution, and use of paint in Nigeria,” he said.
“It is crucial to acknowledge that eliminating Lead from paint is not only possible but also imperative for a healthier and more sustainable future,” he said.
“NESREA and SRADEV Nigeria Lead Exposure Elimination Project, is fully committed to supporting all participants in this workshop in their journey towards achieving this goal,” he said.
In a presentation, Spanny Embiemu, Head, Food and Chemicals, NESREA, said that lead could enter the human body through uptake of food (65 per cent) water, (20 per cent) and air (15 per cent).
She said that the common exposure of lead -in -paint in children was through paint dust.
“Lead fulfills no essential function in the human body, it can merely do harm after uptake from food, air or water.
She said that Lead could cause several unwanted effects, such as rise in temperature, kidney damage, miscarriages, among others.
Embiemu said that the alternative to the use of lead in paint included Zirconium, metallic zinc, cobalt, metallic calcium among others.
She said that cleaner alternatives like Titanium dioxide have also been known to be in use.
He said that NESREA would continue to create awareness to relevant stakeholders on the dangers of leaded paints for maximum impact.
Lead and lead compounds have been used in a wide variety of products found in and around homes, including paint, ceramics, pipes and plumbing materials, solders, gasoline, batteries, ammunition and cosmetics.
By Doris Esa
The Commissioner for Information in Cross River, Mr Erasmus Ekpang, says the government has put in place a robust plan to ensure food security in the state.
Speaking in an interview in Calabar, the state capital, on Thursday, April 4, 2024, Ekpang said farmers would be sufficiently supported in terms of farm inputs and implements to achieve the purpose.
He said part of the plan ahead of the coming farming season is to support farmers with fertilisers, seedlings, tractors and land preparation.
While noting that the fertilisers would be sold at a subsidised rate, the commissioner disclosed that the farmers would be supported with soft loans as well.
Ekpang pointed out that the idea behind the support was for the farmers to move from subsistence farming to commercial farming.
According to him, the government has already approved the procurement of 108 tractors to be distributed to youths across the 196 wards in the state.
“Each ward will be getting six tractors.
“Similarly, farmers will be assisted in land preparation so that instead of planting on one hectare, they can farm on three hectares with the help of government.
“The Gov. Bassey Otu-led administration has also gone ahead to carry out soil analysis across the state to enable farmers know which crop is suitable for planting in certain areas.”
On the challenges of accessing credit facilities, the commissioner noted that government had come out with a solution.
“Government has set up a N30 billion state Commercial Agriculture Development Fund.”
Ekpang said the fund which would be provided and guaranteed by the state government, would be warehoused by a consortium of banks.
He said the fund is meant to move farmers from subsistence farming to commercial farming, and to boost agricultural value chain in the state.
He stated that the fund would boost Maize, Cassava, Aquaculture, Rice farming in Cross River and ensure all year-round farming in the state.
He said government’s intervention followed difficulties encountered by the farmers in accessing loans.
“The $540 million catalytic funding by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support inclusive and sustainable agro-industrial development in Nigeria, will boost food security and employment in the state,” he said.
By Ehigimetor Igbaugba
Bangladesh has been bracing for a searing summer after record-shattering heat last year.
Mild to moderate heatwave is already sweeping over parts of the South Asian country including capital Dhaka.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has already issued a “heat wave alert’’.
Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik, a meteorologist who works at the BMD’s Storm Warning Centre, said on Thursday, April 4, 2024, that several mild to moderate heat waves may occur this month.
Also, this month, he said there is a possibility of one to two severe to very severe heat waves, with maximum temperatures reaching 40 to 42 degrees Celsius.
On Wednesday, Mallik said, Bangladesh’s highest temperature was recorded at 38.5 degrees Celsius in Ishwardi under Pabna district, some 216 km west of capital Dhaka.
He said in Dhaka, the temperature rose to 36 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
According to the meteorologist, the maximum temperature may hit 40 degrees Celsius somewhere in the next three days.
In the current season, the mercury rose to 39 degrees Celsius on Monday.
“The prevailing heat wave over Rajshahi, Khulna, Dhaka and Barisal divisions may continue and may spread for the next 72 hours commencing today (Wednesday),’’ reads the BMD’s “Alert Message for Heat Wave”.
Due to increasing moisture incursions, it said the discomfort may increase.
Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka experienced 40.6 degrees Celsius on April 16 last year, the highest in the capital in 58 years.
Experts said heat waves in Bangladesh would likely escalate in this and coming years due to erratic rainfall and high temperatures, posing a threat to the country, one of the worst victims of global warming.
The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has said that the international oil companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria have lost the right to simply divest in Nigeria, as they cannot be allowed to leave the communities they have subjected to environmental and human right abuses, without addressing the issues.
ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Chima Williams, stated this at a webinar discussion themed: “Time for a legislative Pathway on IOC Divestment in the Niger Delta”, which was attended by civil society groups and media practitioners across the country.
Speaking on the topic, Williams stated that the divesting IOCs are not totally leaving Nigeria as they want the public to believe but are only moving their operations offshore where their operations cannot be monitored, and their environmental crimes can remain hidden.
According to him, ERA/FoEN is leading the campaigns against IOC divestments in the Niger Delta in its current form, due to the impacts of oil exploration on the local people in host communities, even as he added that ancestral lands have been taken away from the people, waters polluted, farmlands destroyed and livelihoods eroded in these communities, subjecting them to untold poverty.
“Oil companies are at liberty to dispose their assets as permitted by the law, but, as they have caused damage to the people and their environment, there are requirements that must be met. The environment must be returned to status quo, and the livelihood of the people restored before divesting.
“They must settle the crisis they have caused with the divide and rule style they introduced to the communities, as one of the antics they used to overshadow the voice of the people. Rather than being a blessing to Nigeria, oil has become a curse to the people of Nigeria, unlike other oil producing countries in the world.”
While reacting to questions of the benefit of divestment to the country as the assets are being sold to domestic oil companies, Williams opined that the oil multinationals could not manage the environmental issues caused by their operations, despite their financial war chest and technological muscle, stressing that this questions the ability of these indigenous companies to handle the environmental crisis with their limited financial power and technological strength.
He called on the National Assembly to start a legislative process that will hold IOCs accountable for the environmental damages they have caused. He also called for the establishment of an environmental restoration fund, to tackle the issues of environmental pollution before proposals for divestment are concluded.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Executive Director of Socio-Economic Research and Development Centre (SERDC), Tijani Abdulkareem, drew attention to the euphoria about the discovery of oil in Bauchi and Gombe states, revealing that tensions are already building up in the local communities, as they bicker over where the oil is actually located.
Abdulkareem stated that a recent town hall meeting organised by ERA/FoEN which held in Bauchi state has exposed to the people the social impacts of oil exploration, even before the environmental impacts begin.
“The discovery of oil is already creating tension between Bauchi and Gombe states because the oil wells are within the boundaries of both states. Because of that, there is already a conflict going on among the border communities on who really owns the oil wells.
Because of the oil derivation funds at the federal level that has been sold to the commoners, the people are seeing oil as a blessing but are ignorant of the effects of oil exploration on human rights. If you go to these communities in Alkari and some parts of Adoh in Gombe, the idea of oil as a blessing is changing every day because of the social impacts on the people, rising from the attitudes of the oil workers in the community, immorality of the oil workers, slave burden on community youths, kidnapping, boundary tensions, land grabbing and other issues.”
Abdulkareem called for more engagements from the civil society organisations, community-based organisations and the media to ensure that the human rights and the environment of the people are protected.
He also called for the establishment of a national guideline that looks at the issues of divestment in the oil and gas sector.
The Director General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr Joseph Onoja, has appealed to the Federal Government and states to implement laws on forest crimes to curb the menace.
Onoja made the appeal at a programme to celebrate the International Day of Forests at the Lekki Conservation Centre on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, in Lagos.
The programme, with the theme: “Forest and lnnovation: New Solution For a Better World,” was organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture.
According to Onoja, there are laws on forest crimes, but implementation is the problem.
“We have laws that are not really implemented. Forest crimes like any other crime should be punished but the enforcement of these laws is the issue we are having.
“We have our partners who are working with the National Assembly to bring up the forest and wildlife crime laws that will be able to bite harder.
“But even with all the beautiful laws that we have, the other part of it is the implementation.
“There is a need for the Federal Government, states, agencies and other partner agencies that are involved in enforcing these laws to be empowered,” he said.
He added that those in charge of enforcing these laws should be given the necessary equipment and tools they need to carry out their mandate.
While talking on the theme of the programme, Onoja said the day was established to continue to create awareness about the importance of the forest.
“Stakeholders need to find innovative ways to continue to protect and sustainably manage the forest so that it can play its ecosystem roles by preserving our lives as humans.
“When we protect nature, nature will play its role in helping us live a conducive life.
“If we don’t have forests again, then we are doomed because forest produces a lot of things for us, from food to raw materials and habitat to animals that play ecosystem services to us.
“So, forests are very important and that is why this theme is all about forest innovation,” he said.
He added that bringing up innovative solutions was key, so everyone could know the importance of the forest and apply the innovative ways towards preserving it.
“One of the innovative solutions is to find alternative energy source, especially in the local areas.
“When we talk about deforestation, it does not only end at environment point of view, but it also has effect on the health and development of women and the girl child.
“The time the girls need to develop themselves, they are using it to scout for firewood.
“And when they have done this, you find these women with children at their back cooking and inhaling the smoke which also cuts their live span.
“By the time we bring some of these innovative solutions in trying to get alternative sources of energy; solar and cooking stove, it helps us which also preserves the forest,” he said.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State, Miss Abisola Olusanya, during her welcome address, said the day was aimed at harnessing the power of innovation to protect and sustainably manage the forest.
“Every March 21, just like our individual birthday, is a special day that should be taken as an opportunity to raise public awareness about taking responsibility for our environment and our future.
“This year’s theme, ‘Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World,” highlights the critical need for us to harness the power of innovation to protect and sustainably manage our forests,” she said.
Olusanya who said the population of Lagos State, presently estimated to be 22 million, and still growing would undoubtedly exert tremendous pressure on natural vegetation.
“As we all know, forests are not only essential for biodiversity conservation but also play a crucial role in mitigating climate change.
“They also provide livelihoods for millions of people, ensuring the overall well-being of our planet.
“In Lagos State, we recognise the significance of our forests and the urgent need to adopt innovative solutions to address the challenges facing them,” she said.
She added that rapid urbanisation, deforestation, illegal logging and climate change were threatening the very existence of the forests, putting the ecosystems and communities at risk.
“I am committed to working tirelessly with our government, stakeholders and partners to promote sustainable forest management practices and drive innovation in the conservation and restoration of our forests.
“We must strive to strike a balance between economic development and environmental protection, ensuring that future generations can inherit a world rich in biodiversity and natural resources,” she said.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr Rotimi Fashola, in his goodwill message, said the forest was something everyone needed to think about.
“In our small gathering, let’s start to think about nature, you cannot kill nature, it will always fight and win but we all want to be on the positive side of nature.
“When nature fights, it sweeps everything and I hope nature will not sweep us away,” he said.
The Special Adviser, Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement (OPLCE), Dr. Tajudeen Afolabi, in his goodwill message, said the forest was life.
“When the last tree is cut, the last man on the earth dies. Why don’t you go back to your house and plant trees there?” he asked.
Afolabi, who also is the National President of Forestry Association of Nigeria, added that there should be sustainability in tree planting, enjoining everyone to protect the environment.
By Henry Oladel
Some power experts have expressed their dissatisfaction with the 300 per cent increase in electricity tariffs approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
In separate interviews on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, in Lagos, the experts lamented that such an increase would further burden electricity consumers across the nation.
The announcement of the tariff hike was made by Mr Musiliu Oseni, the Vice Chairman of NERC, in Abuja on Monday.
Oseni clarified that the 300 per cent increase would specifically impact Band A consumers, constituting only 15 per cent of the total electricity customers nationwide.
As a result, power distribution companies (DisCos) will be permitted to raise electricity prices to N225 ($0.15) per kilowatt-hour, up from the previous rate of N68 for urban consumers, effective April 1.
Reacting to the development, Mr Adeola Ilori, the National Coordinator of All Electricity Consumers Protection Forum, condemned the sudden tariff hike, asserting that it was implemented without due process.
Ilori emphasised that the increase should have followed the prescribed procedures outlined in NERC’s regulatory directives, as mandated by law.
He said that the magnitude of the increase, purportedly a minor review, was like a major review, necessitating thorough scrutiny and consultation with all stakeholders.
Ilori hinted at potential legal action by the group to challenge the tariff hike, citing violations of the Electricity Act 2023 and consumer protection regulations.
Meanwhile, Mr Lanre Elatuyi, an electricity market analyst, acknowledged the inevitability of the tariff increase, attributing it to fluctuations in the dollar and gas prices.
Elatuyi explained that, with the government unable to subsidise electricity for all consumers, the burden falls on those capable of bearing the actual cost of electricity, particularly Band A customers.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that Band A customers receive the promised hours of supply, urging strict adherence to service standards.
However, Mr Chinedu Amah, founder of Spark Nigeria Ltd., raised concerns about the clarity and monitoring of Band A classification, warning of potential exploitation if not properly defined and regulated.
By Yusuf Yunus
The night rains come as soothing relief to many homes and families in Ghana.
But soon, the land is heated up, consuming the little moisture in the atmosphere to expose the real element of an unexpected changing weather.
The discomfort of the night’s heat is telling in many homes: children, couples, and everyone’s comforting sleep is tormented.
And when there is no electricity to offer some succour in fanning the hot air, anger is provoked in the land.
This is the reality of today’s hassling weather.
Ama runs a beauty salon in the densely populated Ayigya suburb of Kumasi. When there is an erratic power supply in what has become known as “dumsor”, the operation of her small salon comes to a halt. Earning enough to pay her four other hands becomes a challenge.
Ama is already thinking of investing in small solar systems as an alternative source of electricity to power her hairdryers. She is hoping to access support for the alternative renewable energy source.
For many small and large-scale businesses, the recent unannounced power outages have been frustrating to their income generation and limiting productivity at the workplace.
But when they return from a day’s unproductive work to a dark hot home at night, their anger peaks.
“I will sleep tired and wake up tired because of this heat. It’s suffocating when there is no light to turn on the fan,” said Ama.
“Can you believe I’ve not been in the mood for sex for almost three weeks? My husband does not even come close to me,” the mother of two sounded seriously jovial.
She explained how she had to soak towels in water to cool her sweaty children after hand fanning them for several minutes.
The common scenes
Heavy rains and heat waves are among hazards faced by the ever-growing global population.
Parts of Ghana, for instance, have experienced the rains in March, yet heat waves – that cut deep into the skin – abound.
With urbanisation and the spread of megacities, communities are exposed and vulnerable. And people get worried about the unbearable heat during the daytime and at night.
In the past couple of months, especially in February, the heat intensity has pushed an increase in the use of umbrellas in the afternoon.
The marketing and purchasing of air-conditioners are rising for homes and offices, as more motorists are getting their ACs on.
The voluntary use of nose masks in densely populated environments is on the ascendancy, as dust particles increase in the atmosphere.
And there is also an increase in the consumption of water to overcome dehydration and exhaustion.
The heat-induced anger
Electricity supply in most parts of Ghana has been erratic in recent days. This has got consumers angry, especially when the power outages come without notification of a planned schedule for load shedding.
Interestingly, street talk on the impact of the current erratic power supply is more profound at the household level than the commercial impact.
Obviously, the recent public anger towards “dumsor” is induced by the unfairness of the heat to the skin and inner being, especially at night.
Amid the power outages, a couple of mothers have attributed the death of their children on admission at the hospital to heat exhaustion.
Indeed, the extremes of the weather are here.
At the recently held inter-schools’ athletics competition in the Ashanti region, fire officers had to intervene in rescuing students from heat exhaustion at Baba Yara Stadium as they deployed fire tenders to spray water into the crowd. Temperatures rose 36°C, high above bearable limits, and the students suffered discomfort under the unbearable heat of the scorching sun.
The intimacy between some couples have been strained by the heat waves as their romantic intimacy of cuddling suffers in the hands of a discomforting night sweat under the hot still breeze.
The rising temperatures in parts of the world have been a threat to religious activities, especially in the period of fasting. Some fasting Muslims, for instance, have been advised to increase their intake of water at pre-dawn meals for energy to prevent dehydration.
Already, authorities at the Kintampo Health Research Centre are embarking on a study to measure the impact of climate change, particularly heat waves on the health of the local populace.
The move is to assess the risk of illnesses caused because of increasing temperatures fuelled by climate change.
Humid heatwaves driven by climate change
February this year was the hottest February on record globally and the ninth consecutive month in a row that a hottest month record was broken.
Climate change has an influence on extreme weather events such as heatwaves and excessive rains.
Climate change, caused by burning fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal, and deforestation, has made heatwaves more frequent, longer and hotter around the world.
According to a study by leading climate scientists from the World Weather Attribution group, human-caused climate change made the humid heatwave in southern West Africa during February ten times more likely.
Ghana is among countries in West Africa hit by an unusually intense humid heatwave and has broken temperature records above 40°C in February 2024.
The researchers say developing heat action plans will help protect vulnerable people from dangerous heatwaves in West Africa.
The study also found that if humans do not rapidly move away from fossil fuels, causing global warming to rise to 2°C above pre-industrial levels, West Africa will experience similar heatwaves about once every two years.
This “global boiling” as termed by UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, became profound during the recent African Cup of Nations (AFCON) football tournament as a “cooling break” was introduced to allow players to dehydrate from the humid conditions.
Long-term climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of the humid environment. Urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to reduced vegetation and increased heat-absorbing surfaces.
The sixth report of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) underscores the urgency of climate action.
The energy in the heat
The high temperatures come with heat-related illness, especially respiratory and other chronic diseases.
Because they may be extremely fatal for the elderly and other persons with underlying health concerns, heatwaves are often referred to as “silent killers.”
Preterm contractions, general discomfort, and spontaneous abortion in the early stages of pregnancy might possibly result from the heat wave.
If left ignored, dehydration can result in more severe issues including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, skin infections, mental health issues, and even death.
Experts advise the intake of adequate intake of water to remain hydrated and stay safe from headaches, fatigue, muscle cramps, and dizziness.
And when people are unable to sleep well at night, workplace productivity and academic performances are adversely impacted.
But there could be opportunities.
The most reliable source of clean energy in most African nations is solar power. According to Global Energy Monitor statistics, by the end of 2023, solar is estimated to account for 67 per cent of the growth in renewable energy capacity globally, with Africa accounting for a 1.7 percent.
Clean energy advocates believe it is time to turn to solar power by taking advantage of the abundant sunshine.
Perhaps, the anger in the voice of Ghanaians will be better managed if the country takes the lead in adopting or increasing new energy sources that are clean and sustainable.
Small business managers like Ama, the beautician, will be glad to adopt such energy sources.
But this will require major investments in Africa to build resilience to dangerous heat. The UN has estimated that the cost of adaptation for developing countries is between US$215-387 billion per year this decade.
However, rich countries haven’t yet met the financial promises they have made to help developing countries become more resilient to the growing risks of climate change.
In addition, these commitments fall drastically short of the finance required – in 2021, the global community delivered just US$21 billion to help developing countries adapt to climate change.
Executive Secretary, UN Climate Change, Simon Stiell, in acknowledging the latest temperature increases that have been off the charts, spoke about a world where clean energy is abundant and affordable.
He emphasised the need to make climate finance bigger and better to undo the deadlock between developed and developing countries for “a world where every nation is safe, opportunities are shared, and 10 billion people are protected from climate impacts”.
Kofi Adu Domfeh is a Journalist, Climate Reality Leader and Green Advocate. Email: adomfeh@gmail.com
