NGO plants 78 trees in Bwari Area Council of FCT

A Non-Governmental Organisation, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Initiative (CCMAI), on Monday, said it had planted 78 trees in Bwari Area Council of FCT to improve the atmospheric condition in the area.

Its Senior Programme Officer, Mr. Richard Inyamkume, told newsmen in Abuja that ‘CCMAI is presently engaged in a tree planting project within Bwari Area Council.

At least 78 trees have already been planted in different locations including churches, homes, and public schools from May 2017 to August 2017 and is ongoing,’’ he said.
Inyamkume said his organisation was planting the trees to support the Federal Government’s efforts at mitigating effects of climate change on the populace.
‘

In Nigeria, climate change impact is already interfering with weather conditions, food and livestock production, fresh water supplies, energy generation, health and sanitation, human settlements and housing, transportation and communication and education.

The average Nigerian may still be unaware that our climate has changed and may further change if nothing is done to lessen the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
‘‘The National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action on Climate Change for Nigeria (NASPA CCN) recognises that climate change is already having significant impacts in Nigeria.
According to him, these impacts are expected to increase in the future.
Recent estimates suggest that in the absence of adaptation, climate change may result in the loss of between two per cent and 11 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP by 2020.
This will rise to between six per cent and 30 per cent by the year 2050 which is equivalent to N15 trillion (US$100 billion) and N69 trillion (US$460 billion).

That is why many state governments, International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGO), CSOs, NGOs, public and other relevant stakeholders have been collaborating with the Federal Government to achieve a low carbon society.

Inyamkume said his organisation was working in the areas of advocacy, activism and climate change governance.

According to him, the organisation has engaged Nigerian school children through its Children Safe Climate Forum” and the youth through its “Climate Community Ambassador Programme.

He said CCMAI also engaged women through its “Nigeria Women Will Cook Clean Programme” as well as “Home Green Vegetable Recovery Programme” for rural women.
Inyamkume said that the organisation was also carrying out viable advocacy and enlightenment campaigns in primary, secondary and tertiary schools and churches within the FCT which would be extended to some states of the federation.

He said CCMAI also created a “Tertiary Students’ Renewable Energy Innovation Forum.”
The purpose of the forum is to bring students together from tertiary institutions to sustain a conversation on transitioning Nigeria to a green and sustainable environment, while promoting Made-in-Nigeria renewable energy components.

The organisation is also promoting the use of clean cooking “modes” such as Made-in-Nigeria Clean Cook stoves, Biogas Cooking Stoves and Biogas Generators.

Inyamkume said his organisation embarked on these programmes to increase awareness and strengthen capacity for climate change mitigation and adaptation.