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Written By: Hassan Nasiru
Social Catalyst for "Sustaining" Earth's Climate - The Role of Climate Education and Advocacy

The Science of Climate Change

 

Anthropogenic Greenhouse gas emissions is causing unprecedented changes in our environment in ways never witnessed in the past centuries. Human activities such as burning of fossil fuels, and land use changes are causing a rise in the average global temperature.  It is pertinent to note that human activities are not the only factors responsible for rising average global temperature. Natural occurrences such as volcanic activities, continental drift, intensity of solar radiation and the Earth’s tilt are also contributing factors to climate change. By climate change, we refer to the long-term changes in the weather patterns and the temperature of the planet Earth. For most of the last 2000 years, the global temperature has fluctuated at a stable rate.

But as can be observed from the figure 1, drastic temperature-rise starting from around 1850 coincides with the industrial revolution, a moment in human history characterized by large scale industrialization and burning of fossil materials (carbon) in commercial quantities. As human societies expand with globalization, so does energy demands, burning of fossil fuels, land use changes to feed the teeming population, and urbanization which alters the biodiversity of species. Industrialization can be a double-edged sword. Rapid industrialization is often associated with improved living standards, rising income per capita, and the rise of technology. But scientific evidence suggests that the current path of consumption and production is unsustainable and is in fact, harmful to the environment. The refrigerators, cars, and air-conditioners that gives us great benefits, also produces substances that harm the environment. 

Figure 1. Rapid Global Temperature Rise Since the Industrial Revolution

Source: IPCC

 

Figure 2. The Science of Global Warning

Source: Author’s illustration

Figure 2 demonstrates how the energy from the sun interacts with the Earth and its atmosphere. Energy from the sun supports life on earth, and part of that energy is captured by natural gases in the atmosphere to keep the earth warm and habitable, in the absence of which earth will become like planet Mars, and too much of it will transform Earth to the planetary hell (Venus), where the average temperature is high enough to melt lead! Hence, the earth is said to be in the “Goldilocks Zone”, a place in the planetary set-up that possesses just the right conditions (say temperature) to sustain life.

But human activities have accelerated the Greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere faster than the Earth could handle, and it is threatening to alter the “habitability” of planet Earth! (Figure 1)

Then here begs the question:

Are we all doomed?

 

Is there anything that can be done to salvage the planet from exceeding planetary boundaries and triggering cascades of planetary “dooms day” events?

The simple answer to the latter question is - yes!

Economic development and sustainable environmental needs are not always mutually exclusive. But Nigeria, and other developing nations needs to consume energy at levels almost (10) times the current average consumption levels of developed nations to meet its development needs(energy consumption). This is at the backdrop of increasing global pressure for nations globally to decarbonize and meet the Paris agreement of limiting global temperature rise to 2°C (or possibly 1.5 °C!) above preindustrial levels. The relatively higher upfront cost of green-energy alternatives adds more dimensions to the complexity of the situation.

 

Climate Change Mitigation or Adaptation? The Dilemma of African Countries

Nations and communities less responsible for the historical global greenhouse gas inventory face the greater burden of global warming and possess the least adaptive capacity. Coastal communities are worst hit. With livelihood that directly depends on nature (agriculture, animal rearing), changes in rainfall and weather conditions directly impacts their source of living. Climate related stress can undermine, or even reverse decades of development-gains!

The IPCC's 4th assessment report, confirming that ecological events will continue to occur for a while, even if global emissions suddenly stop, underscores the inevitability of strategic adaptation and resilience building for the most vulnerable.  Historically, those who contribute to climate change the least suffer the most from its adverse consequences. Figure 3and Figure 4 illustrates this discrepancy between contributions to climate change and climate vulnerability, a discrepancy that underscores the need for climate justice to be at the center of international climate negotiations. The term climate justice simply refers to the consideration that those who contributed less to climate change should not be made to face its negative consequences alone, without assistance in the form of international green climate funding and conscious technological transfer to meet their mitigation and adaptation needs. In Figure 3, countries shown as red are those less able to cope with adverse climate change impacts. On the average, the most vulnerable countries in Figure 3 corresponds to thosecountries with the least contribution to global GHG inventory in Figure 4, with greater color intensity indicating higher contributions to greenhouse gas emissions in Figure 4. It is pertinent to note that the most climate-vulnerable countries in Figure 4 are in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia (with the exception of China, of recent).

 

Figure 3. Countries vulnerability to climate- Disasters      Figure 4. Per capita Green House Gas emissions 

Source: Global Adaptation Initiative                                  Source: Our World in Data

 

Understandably, many African countries prioritize climate adaptation over mitigation. However, by doing so, they risk being left out of the global transition. This can also lead to fossil fuel assets like petroleum becoming “Stranded Assets”, a term used to explain resources that lose their value due to changes in market conditions or global regulations related to climate change. To minimize the green-transition risks of African countries, there is a need for increase global collaborations, while recognizing the importance of differentiated responsibilities in global climate strategies.

 

Society’s Tipping Interventions as Drivers of the Green Transition

According to Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use. to change the world".  Recognizing the importance of climate education in accelerating the global transition,  IM Otto, 2020 incorporated climate education as one of the societal drivers of the sustainable just transitions by 2050. The Figure 5 represents a reformulation of the societal drivers of the sustainable transition as presented by  IM Otto, 2020, with climate education placed at the center of the dynamic interactions.

Figure 5. Sustainable Transition Drivers

Source: Authors’ extension of IM Otto, 2020

While there exists, ample scientific evidence on the dangers of climate change, there is still a significant gap in awareness, and motivation for action. Improvements in technology, having formed the core of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies remains vital, but insufficient. For other drivers of sustainable development including removal of fossil fuel subsidies, divestment from “brown” activities, moral implication,the gap between science/technology, and policy formulation needs to be bridged. Climate Education/advocacy is that vital bridge between science, policy, and action. This interaction is illustrated in Figure 6.

 

 

 

 

Figure 6. The Nexus of Science, Policy, and Action

Source: Authors’ Illustration

 

Figure 6 demonstrates the government’s vital role in ensuring that citizens live in a clean and green environment. But conventional fiscal responsibilities inadvertently and always tip the scale of government’sattention against climate action. Historically, this is necessitated by political reasons, as governments strive to enact politically advantageous policies. However, the current awareness and clamor for a sustainable world meant that incorporating sustainability in policy frameworks is astrategic political decision, which will lead to a win-win situation. 

The level of climate literacy in Africa is still growing, but not at the pace consistent with current global trends. The climate literacy rate for Africa is about 37% on the average. This is well below that of North America, recording climate literacy rates as high as 80%. Currently, there are abouttwo observable climate change school of thought present in Nigeria, but not well captured in the literatureThere are those who are convinced about the long-term consequences of climate change and others who do not. “Orthodox” traditionalists in Nigeria believe that climate change is a hoax being propagated by the Western world to subject poor nations to perpetual state of subordination. This, according to their postulation is achieved through the prioritization of climate mitigation goals ahead of dire energy and development needs of the African continent. While this claim is not established as the previous scientific evidence shows, it is still spread among indigenous groups. The inadequacy of climate education in Nigeria school curricula is a void that needs to be filled, to avoid such hoax eating deep into the fabrics of national consciousness.

At FutureSavers, education at the community level constitutes a vital strand of its climate advocacy approach. Over the years, the organization has effectively organized and conducted climate change education and environmental programs across the country. The bottom-up approach is at the center of FutureSavers' climate education strategy, due to its potential to enlighten those that are affected the most by negative environmental externalities, and who possess limited resources to access critical information. Climate advocacy transcends climate change alone to issues of inclusive development, gender equity, human rights, and social solidarity. The FutureSavers strategy relies on the principle of the butterfly effect, where small actions at the community level can create significant positive changes in the broader environmental landscape. FutureSavers also recognizes the critical role of the “leaders of the future”i.e. the youths in driving sustainable development. Representing 16% of the global population  and 70% of Nigeria’s population, youths possesses the potential to lead the advocacy for a future that is climate resilient. Global movements such as Fridays for Future is a testament to the power of the youths in influencing global discussions on climate change.

 

The Triple Planetary Crisis 

Environmental pollution and the rising waste generation is a growing concern. Soil, water, and air pollution adversely affects the environment and human health. Plastic waste worsens the problem of environmental degradation and adds to the existing climate change burdens. Nigeria is not spared of the problems of waste disposal. A 2018 World bank report titled “What a Waste”   explained how the generation of solid waste in Nigeria  rose to about 35 million tons, with projections of 107 million tonsof waste generation  by 2050. Lagos state recorded the highest waste generation of 0.5kg/person/day. Sadly, only 10% of the total waste is properly disposed. Such waste generation and poor waste handling aggravate the triple planetary crisis of pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Addressing the triple planetary crisis constitutes a major area of concern for climate advocates, which is consistent with sustainable development goal 13 – Climate Action!

 

Figure 7Planetary Crisis

Source: Authors Illustration

FutureSavers is at the forefront in the fight against environmental pollution in Lagos, Abuja, Nasarawa, Oyo, and Ogun states in Nigeria, with ongoing plans to expand its outreach to other parts of the country. To tackle the problem of waste and pollution, FutureSavers advocates for sustainable waste management. The adoption of recycling is a fundamental way to minimize waste generation. FutureSavers also advocates for policies that will ensure that sustainability forms a core corporate strategy of manufacturing firms.

 

Nature-Based Solution to the Climate Crisis

FutureSavers advocates for the continuous adoption of Nature-Based Solutions NBS in climate mitigation/adaptation strategies of institutions, governments, and even individuals committed to fighting climate change. The vital link between biodiversity, and life on earth established the need for human activities to be conducted in a nature-friendly way, and in a manner that supports a thriving ecosystem. In Nigeria for example, land-use change, animal grazing, and clearing of natural vegetation for agriculture adversely impacts biodiversity, with its attendant consequences. NBS can take the form of tree-planting in cities to suppress the effect of heatwaves, climate-smart agriculture, planting trees strategically on farmlands, green and climate-resilient city infrastructure, the cleaning of polluted rivers and water ways, and the general restoration, and protection of the land and sea ecosystems.  Local communities and local culture should be of vital importance when implementing NBS. Tree planting is vital for the removal of carbon(iv)oxide from the atmosphere, and the production of oxygen, thereby contributing to solving climate change. Tree planting also minimizes the effect of erosion. NBS can also address pressing societal issues beyond climate change. Nature-Based Solution have been successfully implemented in different parts of the globe. While the complex and dynamic nature of ecosystems meant that results from the implementation of NBS cannot be explicitly measured, NBS projects of urban wetlands in Sri Lanka,  and the Zhejiang Qiandao Lake - World Bank supported project in China are cases where NBS has accelerated climate adaptation and resilient building in communities. Nature-Based Solutions are however, not meant to replace other climate mitigation strategies like the phasing-out of fossil fuels, rather, it is meant to complement them.

 

Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that we live in a clean, green, and sustainable world. The following represent some actions that can be taken by individuals.

a. Use of renewable energy sources for our homes.
b. Utilizing, and patronizing carbon-free means of travelling.
c. Eating green and healthy.
d. The use of recycled materials.
e. Proper disposal of home waste.

 

Climate education and advocacy represent vital tools in combating the challenges posed by climate change. Through sensitization, mobilization, public and private partnerships, and education, climate advocacy seeks to bridge the gap between policy, science, and action, to ensure a successful transition to a green and sustainable society.


 

Written By: Hassan Nasiru
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