Planting of trees | File photo
Climate change directly affects our communities, health, and livelihoods.
Yet, media coverage often prioritises politics and business over climate-related stories, leaving crucial environment news under-reported.
Climate Watch seeks to bridge this information gap, ensuring that important climate change stories and mitigation efforts stay on your radar.
Here is a round up of last week’s climate stories:
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- The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has launched a tree planting campaign to combat environmental degradation and promote sustainability across nine states. The states include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.The initiative was launched on Sunday by Onouha Obeka, director of environment protection and control at the NDDC, during a multi-stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.Obeka said the campaign aims to address the challenges of pollution, as well as drive long-term ecological and social benefits in the region.
“This tree planting initiative will also tackle key factors contributing to environmental degradation, including the absence of eco-friendly practices such as deforestation and unethical business activities,” he said.
“NDDC calls for collective action to help forge a more sustainable future for the people of the Niger Delta.”
- The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) says the recent flood in the state was caused by climate change and deforestation. More than 200 persons have been reported dead following the flood that ravaged three communities in Mokwa LGA of Niger state on May 29. Speaking on Wednesday, Ibrahim Hussaini, NSEMA acting director-general, described the Mokwa flood as unprecedented. He said due to climate change and deforestation, “areas that were never previously prone to flooding are now being flooded”. Read more here.
- During the 2025 hajj, the Saudi Arabian government raised the alarm over a looming heatwave. The kingdom, through its National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), asked pilgrims to take precautions as daytime temperatures are projected to soar between 40°C and 47°C. The NCM said the forecast shows a challenging weather pattern marked by intense heat, poor visibility, and the likelihood of thunderstorms. Read more here.
- Antonio Guterres, the United Nations secretary general, has called for a unified global front against plastic pollution. Guterres spoke in a message to commemorate World Environment Day which is celebrated annually on June 5. The UN chief said plastic pollution is “choking” the planet, threatening ecosystems, human health, and the climate. He said much more must be done to increase public awareness, reduce single-use plastics, and make the shift towards reusability. Read more here.
