N’Delta risks threat of Climate Change – University Don

A professor of Climatology, Department of Geography, University of Lagos, Emmanuel Oladipo, has cautioned that if proper measures are not taken to harness the effects of climate change, the Niger Delta region could be submerged in flood.

Oladipo, who is an expert in climate change, stated this at a two-day North Central regional sensitisation workshop in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

In his paper titled, “The Roles of States in National Reporting to UNFCCC”, Oladipo explained that climate change remains an inevitable phenomenon everyone needed to accept and adapt to.

He explained that the effects of climate change do not respect individuals or communities that fail to contribute in mitigating its effects.

“The use of energy is mainly responsible to climate change coupled with the way lands and vegetation are being destroyed rapidly.

“If the sea should rise by one meter above what it is, the whole of the Niger Delta will be submerged in water. Although we can’t stop climate change, we can use it to improve the lives of citizens and the economy.

“Climate change can only be a disaster when we fail to manage the outcome to improve or power our agriculture or solar energy.”

Oladipo, therefore, urged the Federal Government to capitalise on the opportunities that exist at the global level to tackle the challenges of climate change.

In her opening remarks, the Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, who was represented by Director of Climate Change, Dr. Yerima Tarfa, said although climate change represented a global challenge, the geography of Nigeria has exposed it to more danger of the phenomenon.

She said that the sensitisation has become necessary given the recent climate prediction unveiled by the meteorological agency for 2020.

“As part of national actions to mitigate the effects of climate change following the climate prediction, the Federal Ministry of Environment has decided to embark on sensitisation at the state, regional and local government levels.

Yerima charged all citizens to imbibe tree-planting culture during festive seasons, birthday anniversaries, special events and others, as part of their contributions towards combating climate change.