From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Clean Technology Hub, Ifeoma Malo, has estimated that Nigeria would need about $3 trillion to tackle flood prevention, erosion and climate that is causing migration and to boost food production.
Malo stated this at a summit, which was held in Abuja, yesterday to mark this year’s World Environment Day and was organized by Save the Children, Clean Technology Hub, SDSN, and Coca Cola Nigeria.
“One of the things that manufacturers of plastics have been doing is to champion reuse. It takes advocacy because companies are commercially minded,” she added.
Also, Advocacy and Campaign Officer, Save the Children, Faith Osaretin, said the summit was geared towards generating innovative cross-sector solutions linking youth action with climate investments.
Osaretin explained that agriculture has been one of the most affected sectors, with the dwelling fortune of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
She said the youths, as a matter of urgency, should begin to raises to tackle climate-related crises. She identified greenhouse emission which can only be reduced with the planting of trees.
“We are trying to give the youth the platform to meet mentors and create awareness on climate change, and to ensure we have a climate-friendly environment.
“Climate change affects different sectors of the Nigerian economy. Look at agriculture for instance, the change in rain pattern where farmers are meant to plant at certain times and harvest at certain times.
“It is the work of climate change. And that is reducing GDP of Nigeria. We need the youth to take the leadership on the implementation of the use of plastic.
“So, if we want to end plastic pollution in Nigeria, we will ensure reusing and recycling of plastic. We can see climate innovative leaders and they are pushing the narrative.
“We all know that one of the causes of climate change is greenhouse emission and one thing that reduces greenhouse emission is planting of trees. Save the children is passionate about tree planting. It has been part of our campaigns all along.
“We have also advocated to the Borno State government to implement planting of a million tree. We understand the importance of tree planting and how it is going to reduce greenhouse emission in Nigeria.
“We also have climate awareness club where children are being taught on how to mitigate flooding, draught and so on,” she said.