The climate change conference in Cancun has come and gone with a lot more positives than in Copenhagen the previous year. Gains have been made in the areas of REDD+, funding, and on mending the diplomatic bridges between countries that had become shaky. All this still does not elude the fact that there are still challenges towards the world achieving global carbon emission reductions. The legislative framework in a lot of countries is still too weak or in some others, non-existent. This also includes the giant polluters like the U.S and China.
Political will is sorely lacking, as politicians juggle between making populist and tough decisions, government indecision have given rise to an increase in skepticism about the veracity of climate change science itself. Some pointing to recent global heavy snowfall as signs that the earth is not warming as predicted by scientists, putting to question the fact that 2010 was the hottest year on record.
It is important to note that if current levels of carbon in the atmosphere are maintained or increased the average global temperatures will rise; what this phenomenon does is create a delicate set of climatic imbalances which cause an increase in extreme weather events. These may range and vary from dramatic heat spells and powerful snowstorms to extreme flooding.
It brings to the fore that in such circumstances the economies in which the governments had shortsightedly claimed to protect would be worse off. The world stands to gain a lot more than it has to lose in the case of acting on climate change. If climate change was a farce these are the outcomes we would be left with;
• Green jobs
• Energy independence
• Liveable cities
• Sustainability
• Clean water and air
• Preserved rain forests, Eco-habitats
• Healthy children etc
Nigeria is not left out of this global conundrum as its economy is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, which are a finite resource. It stands the most to gain if it diversifies into alternative and sustainable sources of energy.
Gain 1); Nigeria would be energy independent – Should the country pursue the green route vigorously, it can take advantage of the over 20,000MW generating capacity from hydro resources alone (Renewable Energy Master Plan - Nigeria). This has the capacity to create 500,000 thousand jobs; according to a Global Climate Network and ICEED research conducted in 2009, providing the country with adequate stable electricity that can stimulate economic growth.
With the growth of green jobs; investment in clean energy sources will directly and in-directly open up a whole new employment spectrum. Jobs requiring technical expertise in hydro plants and solar pv development sectors would be in demand, not to mention the run-off effect it would have for goods and services in its supply chain.
Gain 2) Nigeria has lost 80% of its forest cover in the last 30 years, and currently has about 2.6% of forest reserves remaining. Nigeria’s rapidly diminishing forest reserves and delicate eco-habitat can be preserved through programmes such as REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation), which is a mechanism to create an incentive for developing countries to protect, better manage, and wisely use their forest resources.
Gain 3) we would have cleaner and liveable cities. With a national policy supporting the reduction of GHG emissions, corporations and businesses would have no other alternative than to go greener. In which the environment and the population would be better off. As there would lower pollution and cleaner air which all lead up to a healthier society.
Gain 4) Sustainable – Nigeria would be off it’s time clock of fossil fuel expiration – given the 20-30 years left for the nation’s oils reserves to run out.
It is not too late to act on climate change, but it may soon be. Governments have shown with current austerity measures that future preservation can out-weigh instant economic gratification. If the momentum and pressure is built on political office holders to view the effects of climate change in this light, only then would tough stances be made on issues concerning emissions reduction and promoting greener sustainable livelihoods.
By Michael-Donovan Ezeilo
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