…Say human activities unfriendly to environment
By Henry Uche
Friends of the environment, climate enthusiasts and other stakeholders in physical and environmental sciences are calling for adoption of technology to tackle challenges associated with climate change in Nigeria.
These groups maintained that developed economies across the globe are on the fast pace in managing this challenge, giving their citizens a conducive environment to live as prescribed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6, 7, 11 and 13, which spelt out respectively thus: Clean Water and Sanitation; Affordable and Clean Energy; Sustainable Cities and Communities; and Climate Action.
With these, they said it was high time Nigeria especially policyholders, oil companies and other explorers of natural resources in Nigeria gave the health and wellbeing of Nigerians especially people living in the Niger Delta region a top priority.
At the Nigeria Climate Tech Innovation Boot Camp, 2023 held recently on hybrid, leaders and experts in the field of Climate Change, Renewable energy and Digital Storytelling, expressed sadness over Nigeria’s slow response to issues relating to climate change.
Put together by Connected Advocacy with the theme: ‘Climate Tech: Digital Storytelling Technique For Community Reporting To Amplify Climate Action’, the Registrar of University of Benin, represented by Etinosa Anthonia Ogbe-Aiwanfo, stressed the importance of engaging the University community in such critical global Issue of climate change.
“We must act to reduce the effects of human activities in the environment and build a sustainable future for present and future generations because, as we all know, climate change is one of the most urgent problems facing our planet right now”
On her part, the Host, Prof. Mrs. Ujiro Igbudu, Director, SDG Desk office, University of Benin, said Nigerians must be dutifully involved in pushing for a Net-Zero ecosystem by 2060.
She decried that many are not interested or involved in pushing for climate- friendly technologies, due to low awareness, howbeit a few are pushing for these cutting edge technologies to increase locally mitigate actions, and must be encouraged.
“This maiden edition of the Climate Tech Innovation Boot-Camp is very timely, owing to the myriad of issues being precipitated by global warming or climate change. Galvanizing everyone towards embracing climate technologies for a better and safer ecosystem to live in is duty for all of us” she maintained.
The Convener, Prince Israel Orekha, the Executive Director, Connected Advocacy, affirmed that the idea was to bridge the gap between traditional climate change activism, innovative tech and advanced technology approaches in creating lasting solutions to climate crisis at every level.
He said, “Tackling climate change require a collective effort from local to global, that the use of technology will help increase local performance, and its imperative at this point, that technology will help play a great role in mitigating climate crisis.
“We have developed a web porter called Naija Climate Matters, here you can share your finding, breakthrough solutions, and information of the impact of climate crisis as it affect your local community, document loss and damages that has occurred for prompt action”
Moreso, Co-Founder of Tell That Story, Babawale Obayanju, advocated leveraging digital storytelling and innovative technology solution in addressing climate change at every level, including ploicy-making, development of digital solutions within and outside the University community.
Robert (Bob) Tiptons, Founder, of Dark Sky Innovative Solutions, supported the use of technology to drive the process of adapting to renewable energy technologies for a safer world.
Samuel C. Okorie, Communication and Policy Advisor, GLOBE bemoaned the level of loss and damage occasioned by green house gas, while Sunday Asije who spoke on climate technology, emphasised on enhancing energy transition and opportunity for green innovative jobs for youths.
The session challenged participants to deploy the most powerful, but underused tool (Mobile phone and other gadgets) to tell environmental stories in every possible way to solve the climate change challenge. Climate enthusiasts and development practitioners asserted that it was time for action, therefore, all and sundry must work together and save the planet from climate change disaster.