By Tare Youdeowei

In celebration of the 2014 United Nations World Environment Day, Professor Ademola Omojola of Geography Department, University of Lagos, lectured on the theme; Raise Your Voice, Not The Sea Level at the University of Lagos,  Akoka.

Prof. Omojola warned that Nigeria is highly vulnerable to climate change due to low latitudinal location, low adaptive capacity and high dependence on the natural resource base that are climate sensitive. “These could result in a loss of between two and 11 percent of Nigeria’s GDP by 2020, which may rise to between six and 30 percent by the year 2050, and is equivalent to between N15 trillion (US$100 billion) and N69 trillion (US$460 billion), ”Prof Omojola said at the event organised by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation, SETPOM,

Highlighting the celebration’s thematic objectives; climate change and its impact on the country, review of climate adaptation management in the country, highlights on the issues that need to be strengthened in getting adaptation right, and what to raise our voices on, which SEPTOM is propelling, Prof. Omojola stated; “ the climate has naturally changed greatly over geological timescales due to natural causes such as; continental drift, variations in earth’s orbit around the sun (Milankovitch cycles), sun-busts and flares, variations in greenhouse gases, changes in solar output, volcanic eruptions, cosmic collisions and particulate matter in the atmosphere (aerosols).”

In proffering a solution, the geographer who explained that mitigation in climate change research refers to the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions and other related strategies to slow the rate of climate change, pronounced; “adaptation actions as opposed to mitigation simply means living with climate change.  Adaptation is very relevant because, in spite of all mitigation activities, we are already committed to certain climatic challenges over the next 100 years due to the inertia of the climatic system — the time lag between cause and effect.

“For successful adaptation to climate change we need to recognize that adaptation must happen at the local level, Identify key vulnerabilities—exposure, sensitivity, adaptive capacity, Involve all key stakeholders, set priorities for action based on projected and observed impacts – magnitude, timing, persistent/reversibility, likelihood/certainty, importance, equity and chose adaptation options based on a careful assessment of efficacy, risks and costs.”

Adding that responses have evolved as regards climate change adaptation management in Nigeria, Omojola affirmed;  “the Special Climate Change Unit of the Federal Ministry of Environment and a number of civil society organizations embarked on the development of National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action on Climate Change for Nigeria (NASPA-CCN) document, which was developed to facilitate the proposed aggressive but needed and widely supported strategy and action plan for national response to climate change. Also it is to facilitate coordination and support multi-level and cross-sectorial adaptation responses. The Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders were equally identified and documented while well though-out institutional arrangements were proposed. These laid the foundation for the formulation of national policy and strategy”

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Prof. Ademola Omojola however declared; “recent and projected climate change impact on Nigeria makes effective climate change adaption necessary. There is need for more and renewed focus on adaptation options. The introduction of policies and strategies may be a turning point in the effective climate impact management and adaptation response in particular thus making human and environment development climate neutral. However, the gap between what is stated and what is being done must be bridged so that the uncertainties of climate change and its impact may the limited on the society.”

Also celebrating and raising their voices at the 2014 United Nations World Environment Day Celeration were; Dr M. K Ladipo, Rector Yaba College of Technology, represented by Dr Loretta Ofodile, Dr Bayo Otitoloju, President SETPOM and Dr Funmi Doherty, Chairman local organising committee World Environment Day.