Climate Change:GEF/GIFSEP takes awareness campaign to secondary schools in FCT

…..Says, public awareness is important to increase knowledge
…..Wants FG to stop gas flaring
In its bid to address the adverse effect of climate change in Nigeria, the Global Initiative for Food security and Ecosystem Prevention,GIFSEP and Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, GEF-SGP, yesterday moved its awareness campaign to Secondary Schools in the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking during a capacity building campaign for students to address climate change in schools within the FCT yesterday, GEF-SEP National Coordinator, Mrs. Ibironke Olubamise, noted that awareness campaign is an important component for the adaptation process to manage the impacts of climate change in Nigeria.

While calling on the students to be conscious of the implications of environmental hazards, Olubamise added that the future of our communities, natural resources and ecosystems depends on how well we understand, value and protect the habitats and species that sustain our world.

“We need to be proactive and give young learners the tools to observe the effects of a changing climate for themselves. It’s one more way to invest in the future of our planet and let our children shape the world that soon will be theirs” she added.

Earlier, the Branch Manager, African Climate Reality Project, Gilian Hamilton who lamented the adverse global effects of climate change called on the Nigerian government to stop the uncontrollable flaring of gas.

While emphasising on the need to move faster and aggressively as a nation to stop the effects of climate change, Ms. Hamilton added that new renewable energy should be embraced in order to curb the menace of gas emission.

She further reaffirmed the commitment of African Climate Reality Project to straighten it’s synergy with the Nigerian government to enable it plan ahead so as to proffer solutions that will curb the menace.

“We were very privileged to meet the minister of environment as well as the Director of climate change here in Abuja and our discussion was centred on how we can stop this hard fact that is before us.

” It is no longer a hidden fact that climate change is here with us, we can see clearly the effects of desert encroachment as we can feel the temperature change.

” All we need to do is change the way we behave and the things that we do. Collectively, we can stop this. The solutions are here in Nigeria.

” We already know that the floods are going to come in some areas, we should make plans in advance before the flood comes. We should stop the idea of waiting for disaster to come before we take action” Hamilton said.

Also, the Deputy Director, Secondary FCT Education Board, Kemnele Donatus urged Nigerians to to inculcate the habit of planting trees.

He called on the Federal government to ensure that the law on deforestation which is already on ground is fully implemented and those who default are charged to court and sanctioned appropriately.

On his part, GIFSEP the Team Leader Mr. Mike David Terungwa during his presentation on climate said that the most vulnerable people mostly hit are women and children.

He stressed the need for thoughtful and careful stewardship of the land together with a more intensive use and management of its resources with active involvement and participation of the youths.

The program is sponsored by GEF Small Grant Program implemented by UNDP