Environmental sustainability and climate change advocate Chukwuebuka Anyaduba has just returned from the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan as part of the delegation from the Nigerian Senate Committee on Environment. Mr. Anyaduba, who is the Special Assistant to Senator Ned Nwoko actively participated in high-level discussions aimed at forging global consensus on actionable climate strategies.
As part of his post-COP 29 feedback, Anyaduba emphasized the critical need for simplifying the language used in climate change and environmental sustainability discourse. He argues that the current terminologies often alienate local communities, impeding their understanding and active involvement in environmental solutions.
“Climate change affects every individual, yet the technical jargon surrounding it creates barriers to grassroots advocacy. When we talk about ‘just transitions, adaptation and innovation, carbon credits, Net Zero, etc these phrases mostly sound unrelatable to grassroot advocacy” Anyaduba stated. “We need to reframe the conversation so that farmers, market women, students, and community leaders can grasp the issues and solutions, making them active participants in achieving environmental sustainability.”
As part of his ongoing efforts, Mr Anyaduba through his Non-Profit, International Initiatives for Advancement of SDGs in Africa (IIASDG Africa) hopes to launch a campaign to develop educational materials and training programs tailored to local audiences. The initiative will aim to demystify climate science and empower communities with practical tools for action, leaving no one behind.
Chukwuebuka Anyaduba also reiterated his call for policymakers, the private sector, and civil society to prioritize inclusive communication strategies. “The journey to sustainability starts with understanding,” he concluded.