By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – Jos residents and stakeholders took part in an awareness walk along key city routes to highlight the impact of climate change on natural resources and the potential for local conflicts arising from resource pressures.

The walk drew public attention to the link between climate change, pressure on natural resources and local conflict.

The event was organised under the BRIDGE Project, implemented by the Crest Research Institute (CRADI) with funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through the SPRiNG programme.

The walk moved through key areas of the city, including Old Airport Junction and Secretariat Junction, and involved participants from civil society groups, youth organisations, and first responders, including the Nigerian Red Cross Society and the Federal Road Safety Corps, who assisted with safety and coordination.

Organisers said the activity aimed to highlight the pressures on natural resources caused by climate-related factors such as water scarcity, land degradation, and irregular rainfall, and to show how these pressures can contribute to tensions between communities.

The exercise forms part of the BRIDGE Project’s broader work to strengthen local capacity for climate resilience and peaceful management of shared resources in Plateau and Benue States.

It also encouraged participation in local mechanisms, such as early warning systems and dialogue platforms, to address tensions before they escalate.

Project Manager, of the BRIDGE Project, Samuel Emelis noted that public engagement is important for building awareness of climate risks and supporting community-led responses.

He stressed that climate stressors such as water scarcity, land degradation, and erratic rainfall are no longer abstract environmental issues, but daily realities that intensify competition over land and water, deepen tensions between communities, and threaten peaceful coexistence if left unaddressed.

Programme Manager at PODBETA NG, Sonia Dashe added that the initiative focuses on the environmental impact of human and industrial activities and on practical actions communities can take to mitigate these effects.

She explained that the project seeks to help communities understand how climate change fuels conflict risks, while also highlighting local mechanisms that can prevent escalation and promote dialogue.

According to her, “Bridge the Gap is designed to close the disconnect between knowledge and lived realities, ensuring that information translates into action…”

The organisers said the awareness campaign will continue in Buruku, Benue State, as part of ongoing efforts to promote peaceful cooperation over natural resources and improve resilience to climate pressures.