The United Nation refer to Climate change as long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.
Nigeria’s climate has been changing, evident in: increases in temperature; variable rainfall; rise in sea level and flooding; drought desertification; land degradation; more frequent extreme weather events.
The impacts of climate change on different sectors of society are however interrelated. Drought can harm food production and human health. Flooding can lead to disease spread and damage to ecosystems and infrastructure. Human health issues can increase mortality, impact food availability, and limit worker productivity.
To tackle the many effects of climate change in Kwara state, a grassroots network, Ilorin global shapers says it has worked out ways to implement actionable plans toward climate change adaptations through community outreaches, capacity, and resilience building.
Gathered at a stakeholders meeting at the instance of Ilorin global shapers community ,Director of Programmes, Ilorin Global Shapers Community, Azeez Abubakar, says the network will engage communities and grassroots to implement solutions to local challenges caused by climate change in the state.
“According to analyses, Kwara is at high risk of flooding, and schools in Ilorin East and West Local Government Areas have a very high flood risk level and are most impacted by damage caused by flooding.
“There is a need for awareness and sensitisation on the issue of climate and environmental change, this will help the people to adapt and also hold the government accountable for the desired change,” he said.
In his separate remarks,the Founding Curator, Ilorin Global Shapers Community, Oyindamola Yusuf, says working with other stakeholders in the community will help in achieving aims of the campaign.
“We understand that engaging locals is not easy and that is why we are localising it, speaking to them in their local languages, and involving the community members in this campaign.
“Looking at the importance of climate action, we believe when people become aware of the dangers that lie ahead, they will be interested in taking actions towards saving themselves and their livelihoods,” he said.
At the end of the event ,stakeholders agreed to do all they can to tackle climate change in Kwara communities. They also called on the media to cooperate with the government, NGOs, and CSOs on sensitisation.
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