From Okwe Obi, Abuja
A report released by the the Agora Policy has estimated that climate change would cost Nigeria a whopping $100 billion, if left unchecked.
The Report, titled: ‘Climate Change and Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria,’ highlighted how the negative effect would take a toll on agriculture, compound poverty and impede the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.
Founder, Agora Policy, Waziri Adio, in his presentation yesterday in Abuja, said government and stakeholders should fashion out ways to address the impending doom.
“The total economic cost of climate change to Nigeria is estimated to be USD100 billion cumulatively.
“There is a scientific consensus that human activities have resulted in the rapid and widespread warming of the planet with catastrophic consequences.
“The industrial revolution ushered much of the developed world to an era of unprecedented mechanisation and economic prosperity based the burning of fossil fuel.
“But it is now evident that decades of dumping of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere have altered the very climatic system upon which development has depended and now pose a significant threat to the survival of humankind.
“The evidence and scientific consensus on climate change have compelled much of the global community to a search for ways to adapt to the impact of climate change and to transition economies to low-carbon paths.
“The human-induced rapid changes in the global average surface temperature and long-term weather patterns across the world and consequent negative impacts on human and natural systems have resulted in increased rethinking of key economic ideas, practices, and political institutions that have been the bedrock of human civilisation for decades.
“The significance of this is that how Nigeria fares with regards to climate change will be shaped not just by what Nigeria chooses to do but also by the actions and activities of actors beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“Scientific evidence indicates that Nigeria is experiencing rapid climate change with figures suggesting the situation will get worse with time.
“Since the 1980s. the temperature over Nigeria has risen significantly, and climate projections show a significant increase in temperature across all ecological zones in the next few decade Based on the results of various climate model scenarios published in Nigeria’s Third National Communication and Nigeria’s Climate Risk Profile, temperatures across Nigeria are expected to increase by 2.9°C to as much as 5. 7°C by end of the century Nighttime temperatures, currently between 20°C and 27°C, are expected to increase by as much as 4.7°C.
“The impacts of climate change manifest in rising temperatures variable rainfall, increases in the frequency or intensity of some extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, and rising sea levels.
“Climate change is compounding poverty challenges in Nigeria and impeding the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.
“Climate Impacts are complex, interrelated and they affect several aspects of our lives and well-being.
“It is evident that climate change is compromising Nigeria’s economic development through multiple and compound negative impacts: Nigeria is very vulnerable to the impacts of climate change as much of its agricultural sector, which contributes about 24% to its GDP is rain-fed and climate-sensitive.
“Other sectors of the economy such as health, transportation, energy, and water resources are also vulnerable to the impacts of climate change
“Agriculture is one of the sectors most sensitive to global warming in Nigeria and a major source of climate-induced economic loss in the country.
“Agriculture is a crucial sector in Nigeria, employing a significant portion of the population and contributing to food security and economic growth,” the report stated.
In his presentation, Professor Chucks Okereke, encouraged government to ensure adequate funding for climate change related issues.
“Government should ensure a just and fair energy transition, collaborative approach targeted at sectoral intervention, strengthen institutional capacity, strengthen national climate policy,” he said.
Also, Director of Programmes, Centre for Journalism and Innovation and Development (CJID), Akintunde Babatunde, added: “We are happy to see that the report has been published. We, at the moment, are also committing to ensuring that the report gets the visibility and publicity that it requires, so that government will take action and citizens will get to know what climate change is all about.”