Nigerians are not wildlife conscious — Dr Morenikeji

Dr Olajumoke Morenikeji is the Director, Zoological Garden, University of Ibadan (UI). She speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE on Nigerians’ unimpressive attitude towards wildlife as well as animal rights, and how government can boost the economy through wildlife, among other issues.

Does wildlife truly exist in Nigeria?
We have wildlife in Nigeria; we have a very rich wildlife resource, but we are not wildlife conscious people. The country is not really interested in wildlife, as the government is not really doing anything to boost the sector of wildlife consciousness, wildlife management, as well as wildlife tourism. It is an area we have not fully developed as a country and I think it is something we should look into because if we continue to be over dependent on oil, as the case is now, it is failing us already.

There is a lot to gain as a country if money is invested in this sector, because there are many animals that are indigenous to the country; they will not be found anywhere else on the planet, except here in Nigeria. So if we can build tourism around our indigenous species, we will make a lot of money as a country.

What are those animals indigenous to us?

One that readily comes to mind is the Ibadan malimbe, which is a bird that is indigenous to our environment. And there are other animals like that which you can’t find in other places. So we need first, to have a data of what we have, to protect them and ensure that they continue to exist.

As a director of a zoological garden, what would you say it takes to run one?

It takes a lot. That is why most zoos all over the world depend heavily on donations. You have to feed the animals, cater for their health needs, and maintain their enclosure. To do all these, it takes a lot of money.

For instance, we have many lions here; and feeding one lion takes about N1 million annually. That doesn’t include the health needs and the enclosure maintenance. So it takes a lot of money to keep animals in the zoo. Enriching the enclosure and ensuring that it simulates the natural environment of the animal so that they can behave and breed normally is also important.

World Wildlife Day: Stepping up for endangered species

BY DOYIN ADEOYE
The international community is geared up to celebrate wildlife tomorrow, as well as channel a way forward, especially in the area of eradicating wildlife crimes.

With the theme: ‘The Future of Wildlife is in Our Hands” and African and Asian elephants being the main focus of the 2016 global campaigns, the World Wildlife Day (WWD) is an annual event marked every 3 March, and aimed at celebrating and raising awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora.

Speaking with Ecoscope, the Director, University of Ibadan (UI) Zoological Garden, Dr Olajumoke Morenikeji, noted that Nigeria has a very rich wildlife resource, but unfortunately we are not wildlife conscious.

“It is unfortunate that the country is not really interested in boosting the wildlife sector, wildlife management, wildlife consciousness and wildlife tourism. These are areas where we have not fully developed as a country and it is something we should look into.

“There are lots of animals that are indigenous to Nigeria; they will not be found in any other place in the planet. If we can build tourism around our indigenous animals, we will make a lot of money,” she said.

The WWD was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2013 and the theme of this year’s edition is a call to people around the world to play their roles in protecting the wild animals and plants who share the planet with us.

Illegal international trade of ivory and poaching has remained a major threat to African elephants. As at 1979, the population of African elephant was estimated to be around 1.3 million in 37 range states, but by 1989 only 600,000 remained. Around 100,000 African elephants are estimated to be slaughtered in three years to feed the demand for ivory.

In his message for the 2016 WWD, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said that global efforts to protect wildlife are gathering force.

Leonardo DiCaprio talks climate change at Oscar Awards

BY DOYIN ADEOYE

Hollywood star, Leonardo DiCaprio, for the first time, won in the Best Actor category at the Oscars on Sunday.

The United Nations (UN) Messenger of Peace seized the moment to talk about climate change, urging the audience to support leaders around the world who speak for all of humanity.

“Climate change is real. It is happening right now. It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating. We need to support leaders around the world who do not speak for the big polluters, the big corporations, but who speak for all of humanity, for the indigenous people of the world.

“Let us not take this planet for granted,” he said.

Leonardo is one of the many celebrity environmentalists, advocating for a greener planet.  The likes of Woody Harrelson, Julia Roberts, James Cameron, Arianna Huffington, George Clooney, Tom Hanks and Brad Pitt, among others, are actively involved in one environmental project or the other.

Climate change is a matter of life and death — Okali

Professor David Okali is a retired professor of Forest Ecology from the University of Ibadan (UI), and the Chairman, Nigeria Environmental Study/Action Team (NEST). He speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE on climate change issues, as well as other global environmental concerns.

Why should Nigerians be concerned about climate change?
It is not just about Nigerians, anybody who lives on planet earth should be concerned about climate change because it is a change that is affecting the whole planet. Climate change is a matter of life and death, a matter of survival and non-survival.

Taking Ibadan’s temperature for instance, by now, we should have had rainfall so that the high temperature would go down. All of this is happening because of climate change; the climate is not behaving as it is supposed to. The things that we have adapted to are changing and we have not been able to change fast enough to keep up with it. The consequence of that would be termination of existence in the environment and Nigeria is a part of the planet earth.

So Nigeria, like many other developing parts of the world should be very concerned about the changing climate. Our livelihood, the way we get our resources, depends almost 80 per cent on the environment, which includes the land on which we farm and the rainfall on which we depend on for farming. So if we don’t have an environment that allows agriculture, food insecurity will arise. Also we don’t have the technology yet to be able to react when the environment is changing beyond the natural form. And even if the technology is available, we don’t have the money and economic power.

So we are very vulnerable to climate change. Climate change is also causing the sea to rise, which is affecting our coastline. Taking the Nigerian coastline for instance, all our economic activities is from the coastline, so if the coastline is affected, that would affect our economic activities in a very bad way. So we must be very concerned and we should be doing something about it.

Bill Gates charges teenagers on climate change

BY DOYIN ADEOYE

Annually, Bill and Melinda Gates publish a letter where they outline the goals of their philanthropic organisation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

In its recent letter released online last week, the billionaire urged high school students, who are the next generation of world leaders, to think about how they can be a force for good in the world.

The letter outlines the environmental and economic quandary that the world faces: a growing population, growing demand for services and increased energy use, with each of these factors contributing to the rising carbon dioxide emissions, a major driver behind climate change.

“In short, we need an energy miracle. When I say ‘miracle,’ I don’t mean something that’s impossible. I’ve seen miracles happen before. The personal computer; the Internet; the polio vaccine, none of them happened by chance. They are the result of research and development and the human capacity to innovate.

“In this case, however, time is not on our side. Every day we are releasing more and more CO2 into our atmosphere and making our climate change problem even worse. We need a massive amount of research into thousands of new ideas, even ones that might sound a little crazy if we want to get to zero emissions by the end of this century,” he said.

In an interview, Gates expounds on his energy ideas and faith in the world’s youth, noting why the year’s edition of the annual letter is targeted at the teenage audience.

“I think this younger group has a lot of advantages. They will tend to take a long-term view of things. They’re more scientific oriented and more interested in opportunities they can dream about where our generation hasn’t solved the problem, and therefore, they can take up and surprise everybody by what they are able to do.

“With scientific innovation, you see that people in their 20s get a depth of knowledge and a willingness to look at things in a different way. So, I would say it’s likely that if an energy miracle comes in the next 15 years, key participants will be the teenagers of today.”

UN-Habitat key in shaping SDGs—Minister

BY DOYIN ADEOYE

The Minister of Environment, Amina J. Mohammed, on Wednesday lauded the efforts of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), saying that it was key in shaping the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially on the cities.

In a Tweetmeet, the minster alongside the Assistant Secretary General and Executive Deputy Director, UN-Habitat, Dr Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, spoke extensively on the opportunities offered by the UN-Habitat in an era of sustainable development.

Speaking on the connection between environment and habitat development, the minister said: “I see UN-Habitat as a platform that creates the space for knowledge, innovation and partnerships that ensure sustainable development. It is about one ecosystem where people, the environment, our abode, workplace all interact in harmony.”

Reacting to the same question, Dr Kacyira noted that we have the responsibility to plan and develop our habitats and cities to the benefit of our environment, adding that UN-Habitat goes beyond housing and human settlement.

“UN-Habitat goes beyond housing to integrated urban planning, equitable access to basic infrastructure, as well as safe and resilient environment,” Dr Kacyira said.

“UN-Habitat offers the policy and technical support to leaders especially to harness the benefits of urbanisation and human settlements,” she added.

Climate change is a major challenge for many nations, as both women highlighted ways by which it can be tackled through human settlement and housing development.

According to Kacyira, “Climate change can be addressed by better urban planning and housing policies for efficient energy use, better water and waste management and job creation, especially for youth.”

Ex-Vanuatu PM talks #ClimateChange with Zuriel

BY DOYIN ADEOYE

THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD Zuriel Oduwole recently met with the former Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Honourable Sato Kilman, to discuss the threat of climate change to his country’s future generation, which are the children, a demography Zuriel has a passion for.
Republic of Vanatu is a Pacific Island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. Known for conducting interviews with leaders across countries, especially on their focus for the children, Zuriel has interviewed presidents of Kenya, Cape Verde, Tanzania, South Sudan, Liberia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Guinea, and the Prime Ministers of Lesotho, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis and others.
The issue of climate change has become as enigmatic to some, divisive to others, yet its effects are now felt around the world more than before. Yet, nowhere is this effect of climate change felt even more than the Pacific Island region, where up to one foot of coastal land is lost annually in some areas. This has prompted the regions leaders to form a strong voice alliance, as they continue to make their case for the world to help address the issue of climate change, now threatening their cultural, social and physical existence.
In recognition of the growing platform Zuriel has created in the international community, Kilman who was in office as the Prime Minister till 11 February 2016, hopes her voice would make a difference to his country’s call for urgent assisting.
“I hope she and I would be remembered for our work on this important issue,” Kilman said.
In September 2015, Zuriel met the President of Guyana on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, to mediate peace between that country and Venezuela, two days after both leaders met with the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon in New York, on the disputed oil rich Essequibo region.

Governments set UNEA-2 agenda

BY DOYIN ADEOYE
STAKEHOLDERS across various countries gathered in Nairobi, Kenya last week, to channel a focus for the forthcoming United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2).
The week-long event was the second meeting of the Open Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (OECPR-2), where environment ministers, high-level government delegates and representatives of major groups set the agenda for the UNEA-2, which will be held at the United Nations Environment Programme’s Nairobi headquarters from May 23-27.
At the meeting, key actors set the stage for key decisions on the implementation of the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including addressing the environmental aspects of global humanitarian crises and human health risks.
UNEP’s Executive Director, Achim Steiner said: “At the United Nations Environment Assembly, every nation has a seat at the table. Since its first meeting in 2014, UNEA has become the world’s de facto Parliament for the Environment.
“When ministers gather here in Nairobi in May for UNEA-2, the decisions they take will again set the global environmental agenda. Keeping the global environment under review through science and policy dialogue enables governments to build the international agreements that will result in improvements for both the environment and human development.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Anima Mohammed, at the event, urged for a synergy in order to have a better planet, nothing that no one should be left behind as nations prepare for the UNEA-2.
“Our planet is our commonwealth, our dignity and hope. Leaving no one behind will be fundamental as we prepare for the second United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA2) coming up in May.”
It therefore, behoves on us to consolidate on the ongoing efforts and deliberations towards a clear pathway to set a concrete resolution that will facilitate the implementation of actions to deliver on the interrelated environmental dimensions of the universal Agenda 2030 for sustainable development,” she said.

Open defecation: Old problem in a new world

That open defecation have remained a crucial global menace in this age is a shocker to many. From rural communities to the urban areas, many people across the world do not have access to toilets and so resort to open defecation, which has adverse effects on the environment. DOYIN ADEOYE writes.

WITH the revelation over the weekend that 1.8 million out of a total population of 2.7 million residents in Ekiti State practise open defecation, Nigeria is obviously still drowning in the ugly anomaly, as one of the countries where the menace is mostly common.
Many Nigerians do not have access to decent toilets in their homes and therefore are left with the choice of defecating openly. Although the fight against open defecation is ongoing across many states in the country, the situation seems to be worsening as the days go by.
Leading other states of the federation in open defecation, it will be recalled that in December 2014, Ekiti State governor, Dr Ayodele Fayose, gave a two-month ultimatum to defaulters to provide toilet facility in their homes or face prosecution. Although some may have met the deadline, it is now obvious that the motive behind the decision was not met, judging by the new sanitation statistics in the state.
According to a 2012 World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) joint monitoring report, 1.1 billion people, which is 15 per cent of the global population practise open defecation, while 949 million of the open defecators live in rural areas.
Nigeria in the report, made the list of the first five countries that account for almost three-quarters of the people who practise open defecation, as 34 million Nigerians still relieve themselves in the open, posing great environmental concerns.
Speaking at a two-day media networking and alliance building workshop on water sanitation and hygiene and open defecation free campaign over the weekend, the United Nations Children Fund and European Union (UNICEF/EU) noted that over 2.5 billion of the global population lacked access to improved sanitation and that of the figure, one billion people are engaged in open defecation.
Ending open defecation is crucial, as the health implication include the spread of diarrhoea, chickenpox, measles and cholera, among others. There have been a lot of achievements by various bodies in recent times to end the menace, but a lot still needs to be done.

Scientist discovers boiling river in the heart of the Amazon

A mysterious, four-mile long river, deep in the heart of the Amazon is so hot that it boils. The river has long been a legend in Peru, but when geoscientist, Andres Ruzo heard about it, he thought such a phenomenon couldn’t possibly exist.
He believed that it would require a huge amount of geothermal heat to boil even a small river, and the Amazon basin is far from any active volcanoes.
According to DailyMail, Ruzo first heard about the Mayantuyacu River when his grandfather told him a story of how some Spanish conquistadors headed into the Amazon rainforest in search of gold. When they returned, the men spoke of a terrifying experience that involved poisoned water, man-eating snakes and a river that boils from below.
Despite his skepticism, Runzo found himself hiking into the jungle and he said that what he saw was beyond his imagination.
“Dipping my hand into the river would give me third-degree burns in less than half a second. Falling in could easily kill me,” Ruzo told Ted.com.
Parts of the river are so hot that any animal that falls in boils instantly.
“I’ve seen all sorts of animals fall in, and what is shocking to me is that the process is pretty much the same. They fall in and the first thing to go are the eyes. Eyes, apparently cook very quickly. They turn to a milky-white colour. When the stream is carrying them, they try to swim out, but their meat is cooking on the bone because it is so hot. So they lose power until finally they get to a point where hot water goes into their mouths and they cook from the inside out,” said Runzo.
For some reason, the river has escaped scientific scrutiny. But Ruzo is on a mission to change that.

Ecological challenges: CGGEJ commends Okowa’s approval of N500m counterpart fund

THE Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa (CGGEJ), last week commended Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for approving N500 million as counterpart fund for World Bank to address ecological challenges across the state.
In a statement, the CGGEJ’s Media Coordinator, Mr Patrick Omene said that the group is pleased with the governor for his takeoff policies since assumption of office, adding that the approval of the N500 million counterpart fund is a conviction of his resolve to address the enormous ecological challenges facing the state.
“This is commendable and must be pursued with zest. In addition, your far reaching reforms geared towards reinvigorating and restructuring the economy of the state, anchored on accountability, transparency and fiscal prudence is no doubt a sure way of telling what manner of governance we should expect,” the Coalition said.
Urging the governor to focus on delivering the goods of democracy to the people, as it was time for governance and not politics, the group said “There is time for everything; time for politics and time for governance. The governor must keep his eye on the mark so as not to be swayed from the purpose of governance, since the Supreme Court which is the final arbiter in the governorship election has delivered judgment and there is nothing anybody can do about it.
“We congratulate the governor and the law abiding people of Delta State. And we would also like to call on all stakeholders in the state to see themselves as one, as the purpose of politics and governance is for the benefit of the generality of the people. Delta State must unite for once, because experience in the past is a lesson for us all, both at the intra party and inter party levels.”

UN-HABITAT hosts FGDs on urban equity, youth development in Nigeria

BY DOYIN ADEOYE

In its bid to promote sustainable urbanisation in cities and regions that will provide all citizens with adequate shelter, basic services, security and employment opportunities regardless of age, sex and social strata, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) recently organised a survey and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) for youths in Ibadan and Abuja.
The survey was done to understand the social and structural factors that contribute to the increasing inequalities of opportunities for young men and women aged between 18 and 35, as well as their inclusion in urban governance, and this gave rise to the Global State of the Urban Youth Report (GSUYR).
Chief Consultant to the UN-HABITAT in Nigeria, Dr Boladale Abiola Adebowale, who coordinated the survey said that “Through this programme, we are trying to look at the root causes of inequities among young people in some regions and we try to do that through surveys and FGDs where we ask these youths for their comments and views about initiatives of the governments and how it is affecting them.
“The youths discussed different dimensions of iniquities from economic, social, cultural and political. So our role is that thereafter, we then put all of these views together and analyse the various findings from the survey and then come up with policy recommendations, which is then up to each country to do something about,” she said.

Achakpa on using environment to empower women, youths

Achakpa Priscilla is the National Coordinator, Water and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and the Executive Director, Women Environmental Programme (WEP). She speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE on involvement of women and youths in African environmentalism, among other issues. Excerpts:

What are the objectives of the Women Environmental Programme (WEP)?
WEP is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-religious and voluntary organisation whose vision is to see a society where the environmental, economic and political rights of women, children and youths are protected. Our mission is to empower women and youths to effectively address the environmental, economic and political issues that affect them.
The organisation has grown from strength to strength at national, regional and global levels, while still ensuring its primary focus which is the grass roots women and youths. We have the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) status and an observer status to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). With this status, WEP can participate as a major group organisation in contributing to the intergovernmental decision-making process in the UN-System and we are at the moment one of the Organising Partner (OP) for the Women Major Groups (WMG) as well as the Women and Gender Constituency at the UN.

Would you say gender plays a role in environmental management?
The world is unique for every human being, but in general, women’s lives vary greatly from those of men because of patterns of socialisation related to gender. In terms of the environment, women around the world play distinct roles in managing plants and animals in forests, drylands, wetlands and agriculture; in collecting water, fuel and fodder for domestic use and income generation; and in overseeing land and water resources. By so doing, they contribute time, energy, skills and personal visions to family and community development. So women’s extensive experience makes them an invaluable source of knowledge and expertise on environmental management and appropriate actions.

Our planet is our commonwealth, our hope — Minister

BY DOYIN ADEOYE
THE Minister of Environment, Anima Mohammed, has called on stakeholders to work in synergy in order to have a better planet, nothing that no one should be left behind as nations prepare for the forthcoming United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA2).
The minister said this while speaking at the second meeting of the Open Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (OECPR-2), held in Nairobi, Kenya, earlier this week.
“Our planet is our commonwealth, our dignity and hope. Leaving no one behind will be fundamental as we prepare for the second United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA2) coming up in May. It therefore, behoves on us to consolidate on the ongoing efforts and deliberations towards a clear pathway to set a concrete resolution that will facilitate the implementation of actions to deliver on the interrelated environmental dimensions of the universal Agenda 2030 for sustainable development,” she said.
Agenda 2030 is one that aims to address the root causes of unsustainable consumption and production patterns and transform them into sustainable lifestyles and livelihoods.
“Empowering people, taking climate action and protecting the environment are at the heart of changing the narrative and putting us firmly on the path of sustainable development. The cross cutting nature of the 17 SDGs and 169 targets therefore, requires integration, synergy and enhanced partnerships for the targets to be successfully achieved,” the minister said.

I made my sculpture to inspire people - Eliagu

BY DOYIN ADEOYE
ALTHOUGH the sculpture ‘Your Destiny is in Your Hands,’ was made in 2013, it became social media frenzy last week when the originator, Eluagu Williams uploaded the night view on his Facebook wall.
Made from pet bottles, Eluagu constructed the 13.6feet structure, which he said was birthed out of his desire to inspire people, as well as make something worthwhile out of waste.

Speaking with Ecoroom, Eluagu, who is a graduate of the Department of Fine Art, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) said: "I did it as a final year project in 2013 and it was mounted in January 2014. Although I majored in Sculpture, it was a risk doing the artwork because it wasn’t as if there was a prototype to follow, but I wanted to do something unique, as well as inspire people with the sculpture.
"I worked with pet bottles, which many people throw away and feel that it is just waste. I basically just wanted to turn something people feel is useless to something useful. The name of the artwork ‘Your Destiny is in Your Hands,’ is to inspire people in Nigeria and the world at large.
"This is a trying time for many people, considering the challenges many people and nations are facing today. So I wanted to inspire people that no matter what happen, their destiny is in their hands and they can strive to rise above it and use those challenges as stepping stones to greatness," he said.
A unique way of recycling waste, the major material used in the construction were used pet bottles Eliagu said he picked around.

So not only did the sculpture beautify the environment, it also aided keeping the planet save and clean.
 Taking about 90 days to complete, Eliagu said the gesture of the hands in the sculpture, which appears shaky, shows that in the course of life, we go through challenges to get to the point we want.
A true talent, he is also into wood carving and clay modelling.
On his message to other young talents out there, he said: "They need to be humble and be close to God, no matter their religion, because spirituality is key for any creative person."

Tackling major environmental issues of our time

BY DOYIN ADEOYE
“What about sunrise;
What about rain…
What about killing fields…
Did you ever stop to notice;
The crying earth the weeping shores?
What have we done to the world;
What about flowering fields…
What about animals…”

When pop legend, Michael Jackson released the track, ‘Earth Song,’ in 1995, which overtly dealt with the environment and animal welfare, not many envisaged that a time would come when environmental issues would be at the fore of global discourse, and attract a major global concern. That time is now.
Two decades after the release of the song, the situation has deteriorated, with global environmental issues becoming more alarming as the years go by.
Over four decades after the first Earth Day in 1970, there still exist many environmental concerns for communities around the world to address. From global warming, to overpopulation, water and air pollution, waste management and deforestation, among other issues, our environment is constantly changing.

Overpopulation
With human population growing like never before, overpopulation is probably the most pressing environmental issue the world is currently facing. The list of problems associated with this increase includes shortages of resources, war and social conflict, overcrowding, as well as the health and survival of other species.
“As of July 1, 2015, the total number of living humans on earth was 7.349 billion,” the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division reported. Nigeria, for instance, has a population of over 170 million people.
Overpopulation, no doubt, triggers most of the other environmental issues. As human population increases, so does the demand for natural resources. While tackling inaccessibility to clean water remains a global issue, addressing water pollution from individuals, factories, open mines and other sources is also a major concern.

Ecopreneurship: Making money by saving nature

BY DOYIN ADEOYE
WHILE there are entrepreneurs, others create businesses with the intent of saving the environment, they are ecoprenuers.
From recycling to house cleaning, consultancy and production of organic beauty products, there exist many eco-friendly business ideas that revolve around saving nature.

Solar energy
There has been a lot of focus on solar energy in recent years. Many state governments are now investing in this field, with many working on ways to convert their waste to energy. One good way to make money while also save the planet is to get involved in solar energy production.
Also, with the increase in demand for solar energy comes the need for more hands in relation to installation, maintenance and repairs. Engineers in solar technology are beginning to get known, and with little or no competition, it is a business idea that pays really well.

House cleaning
Getting involved in house cleaning, especially environmental-friendly home cleaning services can be profitable. Many Nigerians, especially the working class, are often too busy to care for their environment. So having a classy and standard cleaning service brand will not only bring in profit, but also help people keep their homes clean.

Composting
Why throw your waste out when you can convert it to useful and fertile compost? Any organic matter, including cooked waste food, can be converted to compost. Organic fertilisers are in high demand by people who have already embraced the green revolution, and tapping into this can be profitable.

Recycling
Recycling is probably the fastest growing eco-friendly business at the moment. Although recycling may be on the high side for someone who has a small startup capital, collection of waste is relatively cheaper. While partnering with companies on collecting their waste is a plus, it is however, becoming a very highly competitive industry.

Consultancy
Although going green has become more popular in recent times, many people who are interested in it still do not have the knowledge or idea of how to go about it. You can assist people with consultancy services and get paid for it.

Is climate change driving the spread of zika virus?

TRANSMITTED by mosquitoes, the Zika virus is spreading at an alarming rate across countries and scientists in Brazil suspect that global warming is exacerbating the problem.
According to the Climate News Network, last year was the hottest on record, with temperatures for the first time about 1°C above pre-industrial levels. But in some parts of Brazil, average temperatures rose between 3° and 5°C, according to data from the Centre for Weather Forecasting and Climate Studies at Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research. The abnormal warming of the Pacific caused by El Nino contributed to this.
Studies by Brazilian scientists show that the Aedes egypti mosquito has spread to 80 per cent of the country, an area of 6.9 million square kilometres, four times larger than a decade ago.
Paolo Zanotto, a virologist at the University of Sao Paulo’s Biomedical Sciences Institute, is co-ordinating a network of laboratories studying the Zika virus.
“We have noticed that dengue has spread to areas that were previously too cold for it, like the south of the country. The number of mosquitoes is increasing, their area of activity is increasing and contact with populations who have never before had contact with dengue is increasing. Global warming is probably collaborating with its spread to previously free areas,” he said.
Christovam Barcellos, a geographer at the Fiocruz Institute in Rio de Janeiro, said: “We have noticed that dengue has spread to areas that were previously too cold for it, like the south of the country.”

Kenya launches Green Universities Network

MORE than 160 participants from Kenyan higher education institutions last week attended the launch of the Kenya Green University Network (KGUN), which is aimed at including environmental and sustainability practices into the curricula, campus designs and research projects of Kenyan universities.

Speaking at the launch of KGUN, a joint initiative of the Commission for University Education (CUE), the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, said that Kenya is seeing fast progress in higher education.

“With the increase in student enrolment, there is more reason, challenge and opportunity to integrate sound environmental practices and knowledge-sharing into the higher education fabric. Many Kenyan universities have already recognised sustainability demands and have responded in ways that are worth sharing. They are investing in greener campuses, greener curricula, and ways of engaging staff, students and community,” Steiner said.

Professor Judi Wakhungu, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Natural Resources and Regional Development Authorities of Kenya, said that the network marks the beginning of long-term cooperation between 70 universities in Kenya that will address sustainability issues through the adoption of low-carbon strategies, mainstreaming environmental sustainability across the curriculum, and engaging with community and other stakeholders at various levels.

The National Environment Management Authority, through its Director General, Professor Geoffrey Wahungu, also expressed its commitment to continuously work with universities, through various initiatives including this network to harness synergy and mobilize resources for capacity building to enhance environmental sustainability.

Waste is a resource; it is a currency —Bilikiss

Bilikiss Adebiyi Abiola is the CEO and co-founder of Wecyclers, a company that offers waste collection and recycling services to Lagosians. She speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE on what it takes to run a recycling business among other issues.

What exactly influenced Wecyclers?
Wecyclers is a social enterprise, and the idea came from a class I took in business school, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where I was exposed to the issues people face in countries like Nigeria. According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, about 70 per cent of Nigerians live in poverty. We face a lot of issues such as lack of access to finance, poor environmental sanitation and waste management systems.

So we wanted to turn waste management from being a problem, because many people live in very dirty environments where drainages are blocked; they are exposed to mosquitoes and sorts. All of these are because waste is not managed properly. Waste is a resource; it is a currency. It is valuable, so we wanted to teach people that instead of living in such environment, they could actually take control of the situation by making money from the waste.

So how does it work?
We designed cargo-bicycles that we deployed in communities around Lagos to pick up waste. So we tell people to separate their waste; they separate their plastics, bottles, pure water sachet and cans, so when we go and pick up the waste from them, we weigh it and for every kilogramme of waste they give to us, they get points. As the points accumulate, they can then exchange the points for something, choosing from one of the different items we have which ranges from plastic bowls, toasting machines, pressing irons, and even things that can empower them like generators, sewing machines and even cash.
So people are using it as a way of empowering themselves and we have several people that engage with us within the communities; those who don’t have any job see it as an opportunity to earn something.

Was it easy convincing people to partner with you as regards their waste?
It wasn’t. We actually targeted the grassroots because we felt that the people in the rich areas already have adequate waste collection system. So it is the people in the poor areas that need it. Many of them were very sceptical initially when we approached them and that really shocked me, because they actually throw this waste away. But when we told them we needed them to keep the waste for us, they felt we wanted to scam them.

So we had to spend a lot of time building their trust, talking to them and we even get members of their community that believe in us to talk them. Whatever we say we would give them, we ensure that we do so. And having done that consistently for some time, there is a lot of trust now.

Environment Ministry resuscitates sanitation day in Abuja

BY DOYIN ADEOYE

WITH the theme, ‘Clean Environment: Our Collective Responsibility for a Healthy Living,’ the Ministry of Environment on Saturday, 30 January, launched the monthly sanitation day programme in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed, stated that the national environmental sanitation day was introduced in 1984 by the Buhari-led administration, and 32 years later, the idea of designated sanitation days at states, local governments, as well as markets across the country has remained a legacy.

“Sanitation is vital for human health, as healthy people are more productive at workplace and healthy communities offer a more lucrative market for our goods and services. That is why the Ministries of Environment, Health and the FCT are collaborating to ensure providing clean environment for healthy living in the FCT and there is a strong commitment to make the collaboration sustainable.

“The theme was carefully selected to highlight the fact that most of the common illnesses our people suffer from such as malaria, cholera, typhoid fever, scabies and even Lassa fever etc, occur as a result of poor environmental sanitation and hygiene practises,” she said.

The minister at the event also reiterated her commitment towards giving Nigerians the desirable change in the environment sector, adding that it is her “strong desire to consult with states, local governments and other relevant stakeholders to create a strong interface to bring back the national environmental sanitation day.”

The launch which took place at the Kuje Area Council saw to the cleaning of Kuje Modern Market and environs, and a visit to the Bwari Area Council of the FCT.

In his address, the FCT Minister, Honourable Mohammed Musa Bello, also urged the members of the communities to cultivate the habits of cleanliness, while the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jubril, noted that the essence of the communal environmental sanitation exercise cannot be overemphasised.

Traditional rulers in the FCT including the Bomo of Kuje and Ona of Abaji, who were at the event, pledged their support to the success of the campaign.

Landmark Paris Agreement opens for signing April 22

BY DOYIN ADEOYE
ALTHOUGH the world rightly celebrated when 195 countries adopted the new international climate agreement at the COP21 in Paris in December last year, what is important to ensure that the Agreement quickly comes into effect and is fully implemented, is that each country must now sign and indicate their consent to be bound by the Agreement.

To this end, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon has invited all world leaders to a signing ceremony on 22 April, for the climate agreement. Coinciding with the observance of the International Mother Earth Day, the UN executive is also using the occasion to further engage business leaders to put the new agreement into action.

“Leaders’ participation could also facilitate the early entry into force of the Paris Agreement and provide for the smooth finalisation of the operational details needed to give effect to the provisions of the new Agreement,” Ban Ki-moon said in his invitation letter.

For many stakeholders, it is until the agreement is signed that nations can then begin to celebrate, because at least 55 countries, representing at least 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, are needed to ratify the agreement before it can take legal effect.

The Agreement which is aimed at keeping a global temperature rise at no more than 2 degrees Celsius, and to strive for a limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius if possible, for the period 2020-2030, is a critical turning point towards a climate-resilient world.

“The adoption of the Paris Agreement caps a remarkable year of multilateral achievements for people and the planet. It provides a solid foundation for the low-carbon, climate-resilient transformation of the global economy. And this transformation will help secure a future that is safer, healthier and more prosperous for all,” Ban Ki-moon said in his invitation.

The signing event will take place at the UN Headquarters in New York on 22 April, after which it will then be opened for signature for one year, that is until 21 April, 2017.

Ever heard of the Sick Building Syndrome?

BY DOYIN ADEOYE
FOR many, once they enter a building, they begin to feel dizzy; develop eye, nose, or throat irritation; dry or itchy skin; or even have difficulty in concentrating, such, among others are the symptoms of the Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).

The SBS is believed to occur when occupants of a building experience discomfort that appears to emanate from the building. Although it has no known cause, there are many risk factors responsible for this condition.

A 1984 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, suggested that up to 30 per cent of new and renovated buildings worldwide may be subject of complaints related to poor indoor air quality.

Basically, the SBS occurs in modern buildings with closed mechanically ventilated systems, as its causes are often related to poor ventilation and air conditioning systems. On many occasions, lack of fresh air is the major factor responsible for SBS, which in turn causes discomfort for many individuals.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (2006), inadequate ventilation, chemical contaminants from outdoor sources, chemical contaminants from indoor sources and biological contaminants, are the four major causes of SBS.

While chemical contaminants from indoor sources within the building may include pollution from adhesives for carpeting, upholstery, chemicals from copy machines, pesticides and so on, sources of air pollution from outdoor pollutants may include fumes from car exhaust, plumbing vents, etc.

Biological contaminants on the other hand, are as a result of bacteria and viruses in the building. They may breed in stagnant water or on wastes that are not properly disposed. Individual negligence and attitude towards caring for the environment, is a major contributory factor to this.

To some others, especially those in an office space, poor lighting could also have adverse effect on the eyes. And in areas where they rely solely on power plants for electricity supply, the loud noise could cause headache for many residents in such areas.

To maintain good and healthy conditions in buildings, as well as resolving the problem of SBS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (2006) recommended increase in ventilation rates and air distribution; purification of air; removal or modification of the pollutant sources, as well as education and communication.

Ogun will soon begin to generate clean energy from waste — Hon Oyeleye

Honourable Bolaji Oyeleye is the Commissioner for Environment in Ogun State. He speaks with Doyin Adeoye on the works of the ministry, especially ahead of the state’s 40th anniversary.

What has the ministry put in place ahead of the state’s 40th anniversary?
Ogun state will turn 40 by February 3 and the state government is planning to launch some of its projects that she has done from the first term till the second term of this administration. So talking about the environment as it affects the anniversary, we have been up and doing in the ministry because the environment touches practically everyone and everywhere. So, we are ensuring that we have a clean and safe environment even as we celebrate.

How has the ministry fared over the years?
We’ve done quite a lot and we are still doing more, because the environment is such that we cannot do it all; it is an ongoing process. Just like we live daily, the environment has to be taken care of daily as well. We have been able to make a lot of moves in the area of waste management, our cities are cleaner. And the ministry have also been able to put in place laws that will ensure that our people comply with the way the environment is meant to be. We’ve made laws on the way they dispose their waste, as well as laws that have to do with tree planting. So we’ve done a lot on improving the aesthetics of the city, especially on going green.

SDGs: Can Nigeria fight these environmental issues by 2030?

THE international community over the last decades has adopted quite a number of environmentally related agreements, one of which is the new global development agenda agreed by the United Nations (UN) in September 2015, which is a follow-up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The universal agreement which is based on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030, carefully balances the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development.

Integrating the environment and development is essential, as any human development, largely depends on a healthy environment. While some of the goals are basically environmental, others such as Ending Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, and the likes, need a good environment for a successful implementation.

Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
With more than 40 per cent of people around the world affected by water scarcity, it is essential to ensure access to water and sanitation for all. This figure is however, even projected to increase with the rise of global temperatures as a consequence of climate change.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), although 2.1 billion people have gained access to improved water sanitation since 1990, dwindling supplies of safe drinking water is a major problem impacting every continent. By 2050, it is projected that at least one in four people are likely to be affected by recurring water shortages.

Oceans will contain more plastic than fish by 2050

According to a new report from the World Economic Forum and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, if we continue our ways, the world’s oceans will soon be home to more plastic than fish.
“The best research currently available estimates that there are over 150 million tonnes of plastics in the ocean today,” the report reads.
“In a business-as-usual scenario, the ocean is expected to contain one tonne of plastic for every three tonnes of fish by 2025, and by 2050, more plastics than fish, by weight.”
In other words, in just 34 years, plastic trash in the ocean will outweigh all the fish in the sea.
According to Huffington Post, the study describes plastics as the “ubiquitous workhorse material of the modern economy” and finds that after a short first-use cycle, 95 per cent of plastic packaging material value, or $80 billion to $120 billion annually, is lost to the economy.
At least eight million tonnes of plastics, equivalent to one garbage truck every minute leak into the ocean each year, according to the World Economic Forum.
The 36-page report, “The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the future of plastics,” also offers hope.
By redesigning materials and developing new technologies, the research shows it is possible to eradicate plastic waste.
Achieving such systemic change, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation said in a statement, will “require major collaboration,” including from consumer goods companies, plastics manufacturers, businesses involved in collection and recycling and policymakers.
“This report demonstrates the importance of triggering a revolution in the plastics industrial ecosystem,” Dominic Waughray of the World Economic Forum said in a statement, “and is a first step to showing how to transform the way plastics move through our economy.”
Today, only 14 per cent of plastic packaging is collected for recycling, according to the World Economic Forum. In comparison, the global recycling rate for paper is 58 per cent, while that of iron and steel is 70 per cent to 90 per cent.

Short answers to hard questions about climate change

Here are quick answers to often-asked questions about climate change. This should give anyone a running start on understanding the problem.

How much is the planet heating up?
As of October 2015, the earth had warmed by about 1.7 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880. The number may sound low, but as an average over the surface of an entire planet, it is actually high, which explains why much of the world’s land ice is starting to melt and the oceans are rising at an accelerating pace.

Is there anything I can do?
You can reduce your own carbon footprint in lots of simple ways, and most of them will save you money.

Will a tech breakthrough help us?
Even Bill Gates says don’t count on it, unless we commit the cash. As more companies, governments and researchers devote themselves to the problem, the chances of big technological advances are improving. But even many experts who are optimistic about technological solutions warn that current efforts are not enough.

How much will the seas rise?
The real question is not how high, but how fast. The ocean is rising at a rate of about a foot per century. That causes severe effects on coastlines, forcing governments and property owners to spend tens of billions of dollars fighting erosion. But if that rate continued, it would probably be manageable, experts say.

Is there any reason for hope?
Scientists have been warning since the 1980s that strong policies were needed to limit emissions. Those warnings were ignored, and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have since built up to potentially dangerous levels. So the hour is late.

But after 20 years of largely fruitless diplomacy, the governments of the world are finally starting to take the problem seriously. A deal reached in Paris in December commits nearly every country to some kind of action. Religious leaders like Pope Francis are speaking out.

Culled from New York Times

Nigeria needs more environmental warriors —Dr Jibunoh

Better known as the Desert Warrior, Dr Newton Jibunoh is perhaps Nigeria’s foremost environmentalist with over 40 years of experience on environmentally related issues. The founder, Fight Against Desert Encroachment (FADE) speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE about various issues, especially as regards the Nigerian environment.

Nations will start signing the Paris Agreement. How realistic is this agreement for Nigeria?

We shouldn’t celebrate yet over Paris Agreement, because there are a number of issues related to it. I started attending the very first summit in 1994, so as an old player in the game, I have learnt not to go away with whatever draft agreement. For instance, countries will start signing the Paris Agreement in April this year, and by then I think a lot of the nations that attended the COP would have dissected the agreement. Until the whole 196 countries signs the agreement, which will go on for one year, that is when we can start celebrating.

For instance, a lot of countries did not even initial the Kyoto Agreement, not to talk of signing it and this draft agreement is very similar to the Kyoto Agreement. So there are issues so many people are worried about. For instance, if countries fail to meet up with agreement, how do you hold them accountable? This was missing in the agreement, as well as the time frame to achieve it. So I believe we should not celebrate yet, until countries begin to sign the drafted agreement.

Would you say the agreement put into consideration the Intended Nationally-Determined Contributions (INDCs) of developing countries?

A lot of the developing countries are underdeveloped and very vulnerable. So when it comes to adaptation to climate change, many of them find it difficult. In fact, Nigeria is an underdeveloped country; we are not in the same league with South Africa, Brazil or India, those are the developing countries. So when benefits that are meant for developing counties come, I doubt if we are in a position to tap into it.

Like I’ve always maintained, and I hope that the new Minster of Environment will take that seriously, most of the countries that are providing money and transfer of technology will not do that except they see what you have on ground. So the question is, what are we going to show that we have been doing?

Social media, viable tool for climate advocacy —Cross River Most Beautiful Girl, 2015

BY DOYIN ADEOYE

TWENTY-YEAR-OLD Cross River Most Beautiful Girl 2015, Queenette Awukam is an environmentalist, advocating for more youths’ involvement in climate friendly activities.
“I have been advocating for forest conservation even before I became Cross Rivers’ Most Beautiful Girl. And I believe that being in this position is an avenue to further promote this. I am passionate about the sustainable livelihood of my people, coupled with the drive from my governor, Professor Ben Ayade, who is a source of inspiration in the course of championing climate change.
“I grew in a state that is very environmentally conscious; very clean and green. So having grown up in such place, I believe everywhere in Nigeria should be conducive enough for breathing and our day-to-day activities,” she said.
Using the platform to create awareness on climate change and its effect, Queenette said her green pictures which went viral of recent, is meant to reach out to more youths to be environment conscious.
“As a beauty queen and an artiste, I know that pictures are good sense of communication, as they speak louder than words. In one of the pictures, I, being the only live tree in the middle of dead logs, is an appeal for forest conservation.
“There have been innovations over the years; every youth is on the social media. So I feel that the best way to go reach out to them is to create more awareness using the social media. Every youth now wants to have fun, so we can as well educate them while they do that.
“For instance, the recently held Calabar Carnival had the theme: ‘Climate Change,’ which was used as a platform to educate youths on being environment friendly. More youths need to champion the course for a greener environment, and must take further steps in acquiring more knowledge on problems and particularly solutions on climate change,” she said.