TheCable

Despite directly impacting our communities, health, and livelihood, climate-related reports usually take a back seat to dominant news beats like politics and business. Climate Watch aims to ensure you never miss important stories on climate change and actions being taken toward limiting its impact.

Here is a round-up of last week’s climate stories:

• The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in a statement on May 6, said protecting biodiversity can lead to greater resilience to natural disasters, improved public health and economic growth. Oladapo Soneye, NCF’s communication manager, said addressing climate change and biodiversity loss is not only a practical necessity but also an ethical obligation to save the earth and secure a sustainable future for generations to come. The foundation urged the public to join the conversation on how best to tackle the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss and their adverse effects on our planet.
• Last week, the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) appointed Sharon Ikeazor, minister of state for Niger Delta affairs, to its leadership council. Ikeazor, who was formerly the minister of state for environment, said she is eager to steer wildlife conservation policy from within a unique alliance of African countries. Read more here.
• Also, President Muhammadu Buhari, on May 2, replaced Ferdinand Giadom as coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) with Nanibarini Zabbey.
• Before his appointment, Zabbey was a senior lecturer at the Department of Fisheries Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, and a prominent Ogoni expert on hydrobiology with extensive experience in remediation-related activities. Find out more here.
• The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the federal ministry of environment, on May 4, committed to phasing out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) used in refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) manufacturing. Mohammed Abdullahi, minister of environment, said the third stage of the hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) phase-out management plan (HPMP) project, would phase out HCFC-22 in the commercial refrigeration and residential air-conditioning manufacturing sectors. The project would also offer scholarship programmes to female RAC engineers and technicians. Read more here.
• Meanwhile, during an event to commemorate the 2023 World Earth Day in Abuja on May 4, the federal capital territory administration (FCTA) warned residents of the territory against environmental degradation. The event also aimed to guide residents on proper waste disposal and the conservation of limited resources. Umar Shuaibu, the coordinator of Abuja metropolitan management council (AMMC), said the illegal felling of trees, and building on water channels and road corridors have distorted and destroyed the city’s plan for development. The FCT department of development control called for the review of the development plan of the city, while stakeholders such as the directorate of road traffic services and the Federal Road Safety Corps were urged to participate in the effort to protect the environment.