Friday, October 16, 2009
Climate change: A serious hazard to Nigeria
African countries especially Nigeria, may suffer more
damaging health hazards as a result of climatic change induced by gas flaring in the Niger Delta and other atmospheric emission from human activities. Although African countries contribute less than three percent of global emission of greenhouse gases, yet Nigeria has been rated 35th out of about 150 member states by a World Bank study on global greenhouse emissions.
Greenhouse Gases are atmospheric emissions such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. Others such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) are produced through natural processes and more recently due to increase in human activities. These gases make up only about one percent of the atmosphere around the earth, but act like a blanket in the air and the gas molecules trap the solar heat that radiates off the earth back out of the universe. These gases keep the planet about 30 degrees warmer than what it would otherwise be.
This disturbing situation, according to the ministry of environment, calls for urgent action by the Federal Government to avert the attendant terrible consequences. The ministry explained that there is now an increasing pressure mounting on potential polluters, users of energy and conspicuous contributors to global warming and climate change to clean up their act and adopt greener practices, stressing that the transport industry were not left out to such scrutiny and pressure. This situation, environmentalists say had also made it compulsory for Nigeria to develop local adaptation plan within its limited capacity and resources to fight climate change and to save its citizens and the future generations from the looming dangers associated with this atmospheric emission.
Reacting on the effect of the global warming, the Minister of Environment, John Odey, said already Nigeria is already facing the problems arising from carbon emission such as poverty, disease, uneven economic development, drought, desertification, flooding and lack of access to clean water. He explained that the climatic change and response to the multi-faceted problems it presents had already become the defining challenge of the 21st century, saying that study by International Maritime Organisation on GreenHouse Gas emission shows that shipping activities had contributed about 847 million tons in 2007. He explained that although there were efforts to increase sea transportation efficiency and reduce Greenhouse Gases emission, he however called for the use of renewable energy sources that are climate-sensitive and environmentally friendly.
However, reports had revealed that in the Niger Delta region, the inhabitants are already facing serious agricultural problems, shortage of water resources and lack of food security. Also, people living in the region are experiencing health hazards, terrestrial ecosystems problems, as well as biodiversity and flooding because of gas flaring. Similarly, because of flooding especially during the rainy season, environmentalists say most of the residents in the Niger Delta have abandoned their natural habitats because of the disaster associated with global warming.
According to Nick Hopwood and Jordan Cohen in an article, ‘Greenhouse Gases and Society’, shorter-wavelength solar radiation from the sun passes through earth’s atmosphere and is absorbed by the surface of the earth, causing it to warm. Part of the absorbed energy is then reradiated back to the atmosphere as long wave infrared radiation. Little of this long wave radiation escapes back into space, while some of the radiation cannot pass through the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. But the greenhouse gases selectively transmit the infrared waves, trapping some and allowing some to pass through into space. The gases absorb these waves and re-emit them downward, causing the lower atmosphere to warm to about 33 degree Celsius. They stated that a total of 76 percent of Carbon dioxide, six percent of Nitrous oxide, 13 percent of Methane and five percent of Fluorocarbons were being pass down to the atmospheric due to increase in human activities.
On her part, the permanent secretary, ministry of transportation, Sayifat Muhammed, said although the world’s developing countries have contributed less than two percent of the polluting gases in the atmosphere, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has highlighted in its report- confirmed by the World Bank, that the overwhelming majority of those most threatened by climate change live in the poorest and developing countries of the world. Different regions, she said, would be affected differently by climate change, stressing that in Nigeria, the vulnerability would not only arise because of the impacts of climate change, but also to the impacts of response measures. Muhammed pointed out that apart from the fragile ecological zones in some parts of the country, Nigeria’s economy depends mostly on the earnings from fossil fuel production, consequently, any measure taken to cut down the use of fossil fuels would affect the economy and people negatively.
She stated that the International Maritime Organisation conference held in Malmo in June 2008, confirmed that much of the impact of climate change on the maritime industry, is likely to be felt most strongly in the polar regions and in particular, in the arctic, where a reduction in sea-ice seems to be its most significant consequence. In essence, if significant sea-level rise occurs due to the melting of polar ice, the effect on many harbours, ports and coastal zones around the world could be devastating as witnessed in Lagos Bar Beach, few years ago.
Responding, the director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Temi Omatseye, said millions of people especially in developing countries including Nigeria, would be confined to perpetual poverty and precarious living conditions due to food and water shortages, coastal flooding and extreme changes in weather pattern as a result of global warming which are warning signal. The capacity to cope with climate variability and extreme weather events are highly dependent on the level of economic development, explaining that livelihood sources of the poor were usually narrower and more climate sensitive than those of the wealthy nations.
The director general of NIMASA stated that extreme weather events, which would cause limited damage and few casualties in a developed country, often cause extensive destruction and substantial loss of life in a developing country like Nigeria. In his submission, he maintained that climate change is real with devastating consequences including desertification and land degradation and therefore advised that Nigeria should build a strong partnership and collaboration in its efforts in combating the menace.
Therefore, the Agency being the focal point for the implementation of International Maritime Organisation programmes in Nigeria; should align its activities with that of the world maritime body. It is also expected to enter into collaborative efforts with the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) and Obafemi Awolowo University to establish climatic observations, which the leadership of the apex maritime body in Nigeria said it had already initiated.
On her part, the director, Marine Environment Management of the NIMASA, Juliana Gunwa, said Nigeria is making concerted efforts towards ratifying Annex VI of Maritime Pollution (MARPOL), which deals with air pollution, stressing that the Agency is also ensuring the elimination of vessels that are not seaworthy, citing example of the single hull tankers. She pointed out that climate change was already occurring. So, to tackle these problems, Gunwa called for adjustments and changes at every level, adoption of appropriate technologies while making the most of traditional knowledge. The director said if the flared gas in the Niger Delta is properly utilized, it would serve as sources of energy supply for Nigeria and to other West African countries. For the International Maritime Organisation, the marine expert said should maintain a leading position in developing GHG strategies and mechanisms for international shipping and cooperate closely with other relevant United Nation bodies to avoid unilateral action on a global, regional or national level. She explained that the world maritime body should set a measurable, verifiable and reportable emission reduction targeted at a considerable date to save the climate and humanity from its negative consequences.
Traffic, construction, crackers are major noise-pollutants
Traffic, construction activities and fire-crackers during festivities top the list of polluters in the
Even as the Bombay high court asked the state last week to issue a notification to demarcate "silent zones'' in the city, activists say this is only the first step. To effectively deal with sound pollution in Mumbai, authorities will have to tackle the noisy trio.
"Traffic and constructions are two sources, which affect a large number of people,'' said city-based NGO Awaaz in a public interest litigation in the HC. "Noises crated by drums and other instruments and by fire-crackers during weddings and festive processions are also a significant cause of noise pollution,'' added the PIL.
According to activists, the biggest culprit is the blaring noise caused by honking. The use of shrill musical and multi-toned horns add to the cacophony on the streets, even in silent zones where honking is banned, including localities near hospitals, schools and courts. Noise from motors and exhaust system of vehicles are other high-level sounds created on city roads.
"Readings in the Crawford Market area revealed that the continuous background noise due to traffic was as high as 85-100 decibels throughout the day,'' said Sumaira Abdulalli of Awaaz. The noise level for all category of vehicles were far above normal--two wheelers emitted up to 90 db (permissible level is 75 db), three wheelers 77-85 db (77db), cars up to 90 db (75 db) and trucks recorded between 80 db and 95 db (82 db).
Measures suggested by Awaaz to reduce traffic noise include periodic checks on silencers of vehicles, confiscation of illegal multi-toned horns, heavier fines for offenders and setting up of sound barriers along roads and flyovers.
With the rising number of constructions and infrastructure projects in the city, the noise level is also rising, activists said. Since no parameters are laid down while granting construction permissions, developers pay scant regard to the problems faced by people staying near the sites. Awaaz has recommended a number of guidelines, including setting up of noise barriers at the site, installing silencers on building equipment, putting a time limit for activities such as drilling, banning construction at night and a hault on stone- and aluminium-cutting in silent zones and residential areas.
Activists are also calling for a stricter implementation of the 10 pm rule, ban on bursting fire-crackers on roads and use of loud-speakers in silent zones to counter noise pollution during festivals. "The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board should take the lead in scientific baseline studies including the noise mapping study of Mumbai,'' said the PIL. The case is scheduled to come up for further hearing on Thursday.
CHARCOAL MAKING
Charcoal Making
This is the story of a remote village called Kothur (meaning new village) located in the semi-arid environment of the interior peninsular
Due to climate change and variability the rainfall has come down from over 800mm to less than 600 mm in the last 50 years. As a result the traditional paddy cultivation area has come down, and people started more and more dependant on the meager groundwater resources. The present scenario is unimaginable and contrasting; most of the paddy growing fields are left fallow and the soils have turned saline / alkaline. In these soils Prosopis Juliflora (a native thorny arid plant species / http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosopis) is growing abundantly. This an exotic species is seen in this parts only since past 30 years. Now we can see a
This present situation is the result of Climate Change and Human interventions. In the summer of year 2005 when I first visited this village, I could see heaps of Prosopis Juliflora was being converted into Charcoal. The people from a far of coastal area having seen the abundant Prosopis in this area have migrated to this area and started making Charcoal with the support of local people. Soon local people have also learnt the art of charcoal making and are able to cope with the recurring drought conditions prevailing in this area. This adaptation method could arrest migration of people to some extant, other wise this District is well known for migration of people to far of places.
I was thinking about different solutions, to help people to uproot this species and replace it with other useful species. But in the year 2006 there was drought in this part of the district. People have not sown any seeds and I was imagining mass exodus of people from this village to other parts for work. To my surprise, when I visited this village again during the peak of drought, none of the people have migrated. And they were very happy too.
The secret is that because of unprecedented demand for Prosopis Juliflora wood and charcoal from Industries and urban areas. They were earning 2 to 4 times more by cutting Prosopis Juliflora, than what they were getting from their regular agriculture work. Within no time about 30 % of the Prosopis Juliflora was harvested. I never imagined this kind of situation. Even the people who have left their lands fallow, were also benefited by getting about 10% of the total earnings.
The Climate change, energy crisis, new energy demands, and the adaptations by communities to the changes is a reality.
This is the new situation happened in this remote part only in the last 10 years. Still Charcoal making has become very popular and number of kilns are increasing every year. At last I am not sure whether to encourage community to continue to make charcoal or slowly replace Prosopis Juliflora species with other useful horticulture crops. I have presently planned the later. This case study stands as tip of an iceberg for the changes that would happen in the environment very fast, due to climate change, energy crisis and other human factors.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
INTRODUCTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate Change
Climate change is a big problem and one that impacts upon every living thing on planet earth. This issue pervades every aspect of our lives – we see it in the world around us; our extreme weather, ongoing drought or loss of habitat, we read about it in the papers every day and whether we know it or not even the price we pay for petrol, the food and goods we buy, and even the state of our health can be affected by climate change.
While climate change may seem insurmountable the solutions don't necessarily have to involve radical changes to our lives, but rather, are achievable by working smarter and using our resources more efficiently.
While climate change may seem insurmountable the solutions don't necessarily have to involve radical changes to our lives, but rather, are achievable by working smarter and using our resources more efficiently.
What Can You Do?
Over the past 100 years the world has grown rich on a diet of carbon rich fossil fuels such oil, coal and gas. One of the downsides of the huge amount of fossil fuels we have burnt is that it is now affecting the stability of our climate through global warming.
Each year, Nigerians emit more than 550 million tonnes of greenhouse gases. That's an average of 26 tonnes per person (enough gas to fill around 26 typical 3 bedroom houses). This includes emissions from a variety of sources, many of which are ‘downstream', for example the greenhouse gases emitted in growing, transporting and having your food stored in a supermarket.
Directly, our households generate about a fifth of this total through everyday activities such as driving to work, heating or cooling our houses, heating water, lighting and electrical appliances. Even sending our food waste to be buried in landfills creates greenhouse gases. This equals about 15 tonnes per household each year, though this varies depending on: the size and number of people in the house, and the size and number of cars the family owns.
How do I cut this down and go on a 'carbon diet'?
Like any good diet you need a strategy. Our recommended strategy is to first calculate your carbon output, then set a target of how much carbon ‘weight' you want to lose. A good target is 50%, as that is roughly the proportion we need to ‘lose' globally to stabilise climate change. The three stages recommended are:
- Reduce - the amount of carbon you put out. An example is replacing incandescent globes with compact fluorescents.
- Replace - fossil fuel based energy with renewable. An example is to replace black coal fired power electricity with renewable energy.
- Offset - your carbon. An example is to have trees planted to offset the emissions of items such as car and air travel.
Great choices you can make right now:
- Switch off lights and appliances when they're not needed. Simple but very effective.
- Install energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps. They can save up to 80% of your lighting bill and last up to 8 times longer.
- Switch to low greenhouse impact transport options like your legs, bicycles or public transport.
- Make your home more pleasant to live in and reduce your need for home heating and cooling and by installing insulation, draft-sealing and shading.
- Divert garden and food wastes from landfill to composting (either at home or through a Council scheme - if they don't have one ring them up and ask for one to be set up).
Great choices you can make in the future:
- When buying your next car ask if you really need it - maybe a public transport pass, a good bicycle and an occasional taxi ride will do the job. You will save lots of money and get fit as well.
- If you still decide you need a car, then buy a fuel-efficient one such as a hybrid.
- When choosing a home location, consider the time and cost of travel from there to work, school, shops and leisure activities.
- When building, renovating, or buying a home, aim for high energy-efficiency.
- Buy energy-efficient appliances. This is very important for appliances that get used often such as fridges and washing machines and last a long time.
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