Abstract
The
issue of global warming usually seems like an occurrence in the western world
alone with no effect whatsoever on Africa, hence we become non challant and
lackadaisical about it as if it is of no concern to us.
Africa
is also on planet earth which means the issue of global warming isn’t just
limited to the western world but is also applicable to Africa, hence the term
‘global’.
It is
high time Africa as a continent takes this issue of global warming seriously,
so that necessary steps can be taken and deliberations can be made for a way
forward. This Article is focused on discussing global warming in Africa, the
effects it has on the continent and the way forward if any. The aim of this article
is to enlighten as well as stir Africans to not just sit on the fence but to
take deliberate and intentional steps in handling this global phenomenon.
INTRODUCTION
Global
warming is referred to as the gradual rise in the mean temperature levels of the
Earth’s oceans and atmosphere. It is believed to change the climate of
different parts of the earth permanently. Climate change resulting from global
warming remains to be the greatest humanitarian crises of our time. It has been
the reason behind the rising seas due to the melting of the polar ice caps,
raging storms and ferocious fires.
Many
people think of global warming and climate change as synonyms, but scientists
prefer to use climate change when describing the complex shifts now affecting
our planet’s weather and climate systems. Climate change encompasses not only
rising average temperatures but also extreme weather events, shifting wildlife
populations and habitats, rising seas, and a range of other impacts.
All of
these changes are emerging as humans continue to add heat. The planet is
warming, from North Pole to South Pole .Since 1906, the global average surface
temperature has increased by more than 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit (0.9 degrees
Celsius) -even more in sensitive Polar Regions. And the impacts of rising temperatures
aren’t waiting for some farfetched future; the effects of global warming are
appearing right now.
CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING
Did
Planet earth just suddenly decide to warm itself up or did the inhabitants
contribute to the global warming. The latter is the case, as Humans contributed
largely to global warming.
Scientists
attribute the global warming trend observed since the mid 20th century
to the human expansion of the “greenhouse effect” warming that result when the
atmosphere traps heat radiating from the earth towards space. Certain gases in
the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Long lived gases that remain semi
–permanently in the atmosphere and do not respond physically or chemically to
changes in temperature are described as “forcing” climate change.
Gases
that contribute to the greenhouse effect include:
·
Water Vapor: The most abundant greenhouse gas.
It increases as the Earth’s atmosphere warms
·
Carbon dioxide (CO2). A minor but very
important component of the atmosphere, carbon dioxide is released through
natural processes such as respiration and volcano eruptions and through human
activities such as deforestation, land use changes and burning fossil fuels.
Humans have increased atmospheric CO2 concentration by more than a third since
the Industrial Revolution began.
·
Methane: A hydrocarbon gas produced both
through natural sources and human activities, including the decomposition of
wastes in landfills, agriculture. Methane is a far more active greenhouse gas
than carbon dioxide, but also one which is less abundant in the atmosphere
·
Nitrus oxide: A powerful greenhouse gas
produced by soil cultivation practices, especially the use of commercial and
organic fertilizers, fossil fuels combustion, nitric acid production, and biomass
burning
·
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) : Synthetic
compounds entirely of industrial origin used in number of applications, but now
largely regulated in production and release to the atmosphere by international
agreement for their ability to contribute to destruction of the ozone layer.
They are also greenhouse gases.
On
Earth, human activities are changing the natural greenhouse. Over the last
century the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil has increased the
concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (C02). This happens because the
coal or oil burning process combines carbon with oxygen in the air to make CO2.
To a lesser extent, the clearing of land for agriculture, industry, and other
human activities has increased concentration of greenhouse gases resulted in
global warming.
The
intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of 1,300 independent
scientific experts from countries all over the world under the auspices of the
United Nations, concluded there’s a more than 95% probability that human activities
over the past 50 years have warmed our planet. The industrial activities that
our modern civilization depends upon have raised atmospheric carbon dioxide
levels from 280 parts per million to 400 parts per million in the last 150
years. The panel also concluded there’s a better than 95% probability that
human produced greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrus
oxide have caused much of the observed increase in the Earth’s temperature over
the past 50 years.
GENERAL EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
The
consequences of changing the natural atmospheric greenhouse are:
·
On average, the earth will become warmer. Some
regions may welcome warmer temperatures, but others may not. Africa, especially
western Africa has recently experienced warmer temperatures than it used to be.
·
Warmer conditions will lead to more evaporation
and precipitation overall, but individual regions will vary, some becoming
wetter and others dryer
·
Meanwhile, some crops and other plants may
respond favorably to increased atmospheric CO2, growing more vigorously and
using water more efficiently. At the same time, higher temperatures and
shifting climate patterns may change the areas where crops grow best and affect
the makeup of natural plant communities.
EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING ON AFRICA
Although
the countries of Africa have some of the lowest overall and per capita global
warming emissions on the planet, Africa is likely to suffer from some of the
worst consequences of climate change. These impacts may already be unfolding in
the form of droughts, famine, and desertification and population displacement.
SOLUTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
Merely
writing, talking and discussing about global warming will not put a stop to the
increasing atmospheric temperature. Change only happens when individuals take
action. Strategic steps need to be taken and here are some suggestions
especially for Africa as a continent.
·
Sensitization: The issue of global warming is
taken with so much levity in Africa, talk to your friends, family, neighbors
and everyone you meet about it. Talk about it with every means possible; radio,
television, clubs, religious centers, recreation centers, social media and
every available tool for sensitization especially to the uneducated
·
Accountability of political leaders and
representatives: Africa needs to arise and begin to hold its political leaders
and representatives responsible and ensure that they formulate environment
friendly policies. This can be achieved through public opinion polls,
propaganda, bills etc. Encourage them to enact new laws that limit carbon
emissions and require polluters to pay heavily for the emissions they produce.
·
Production of gas smart cars such as hybrids and
fully electric vehicles which will save money, fuel and also save the
environment from pollution
·
There has to be a significant reduction in the
amount of heat trapping emissions being put into the atmosphere in our homes,
industries, farmlands etc
·
Planting of more trees rather than cutting and
burning of trees, our forests need to be preserved. Green is beautiful and
healthy to our environment
·
Increases in wind and solar power, biofuels
from organic waste rather than carbon emission into the atmosphere.
The
solutions and suggestions can never be exhausted as new ways to curb global
warming will always arise. This article is just to stir Africans up to face the
reality of the situation and curb it with all it takes. Humans have the
solutions to address the issue of global warming. The question is: Do we have
the will?
COVID 19 AND GLOBAL WARMING
COVID-19 is
affecting the lives of millions of people and, also, the environment. The CO2
emissions and human mobility have been reduced, which improves air quality and
encourages wild animals to come out and explore the cities. But how sustainable
is this positive effect in the long term?
Scientists have
confirmed that air quality in certain regions has improved in recent weeks. As industries,
aviation, and other means of transportation stop, air pollution is reduced
countries severely affected by the virus, such as China, Italy, and Spain. A
reduction in commuting due to work from home policies has also played its part
in reducing carbon emissions.
According to
Steven Davis, Associate Professor in the Department of Earth System Science
at the University of California, in recent years, we have generated around 500 tons of
CO2 per $1 million of the world’s GDP. In 2019, 40 billion tons of CO2 were
emitted per $88 billions of the world’s GDP. If this correlation persists, a
decrease of the world’s GDP due to the imminent economic recession might
generate a reduction in the global CO2 emissions in a similar proportion.
Furthermore,
Randolph Bell, Director of the Global Energy Center, explained in the Atlantic Council that the economic recession linked by
the virus is likely to cause a drop in the carbon dioxide emissions for this
year. He indicated that NASA’s satellite images have evidenced the pollution reduction
in China right after the carbon emissions had dropped by 25% in four weeks of
lockdown.
In the long term,
the COVID-19 pandemic will offer lessons and opportunities leading to
environmental action. For instance, we will have a new baseline of what can be
achieved digitally: remote work, education, shopping, and more. In addition, as
our governments, private institutions, and even social media succeed in
partnering, we will possibly feel more capable of tackling other pressing
issues such as climate change. Our response to this health crisis will shape
how we will deal with a climate crisis in the next decades. Times of change can
lead to the introduction of long-lasting sustainable habits. Thanks to the
outbreak, some habits that are incidentally beneficial to the environment may
last since people will have experienced scarcity. For example, the reduction of
travel, personal consumption, and food waste.
This public
health crisis may serve as a turning point for another well-known crisis that,
even though it may be perceived as slow, has the potential of significantly
impacting humanity. As the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António
Guterres, indicated the threat of COVID-19 is temporary, meanwhile, the threat of droughts, floods,
and extreme storms linked to climate change will remain for years and will
require constant action.
Clearly, human
beings are part of nature and all activity that impacts the environment also
impacts us. According to Marshall Burke from the Department of Earth System
Science at Stanford University, in China, just two months of reduced pollution has
saved the lives of 4000
children under the age of 5 and 73000 adults over the age of 70. Perhaps, this
is not a question of whether the virus is “good” or “bad” for the climate, but
instead if we can create a functional economic system that supports people
without threatening the life of Earth.
It is safe to say
that no one wanted carbon emissions to be reduced this way. COVID-19 has a dark
cost to our lives, healthcare systems, and mental health of people around the
world. Nevertheless, it has also shown that communities can make a difference
when they take care of each other, and this could be an invaluable lesson when
we face climate change.
Key environmental
legislations in Nigeria:-
·
National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement
Agency (Establishment) Act 2007 (NESREAA) and the 33 Regulations made by the
Minister of Environment under section 34 of the Act This statute was created
under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (section 20) and
repealed the Federal Environmental Protection Act 1988. The NESREA, the major
federal body responsible for protecting Nigeria’s environment is responsible
for enforcing all environmental laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards.
This includes enforcing environmental conventions, treaties and protocols to
which Nigeria is a signatory.
·
Environmental Impact Assessment Act (Cap E12 LFN 2004). This law
sets out the general principles, procedures and methods of environmental impact
assessment in various sectors.
·
Harmful Waste (Special Criminal Provisions etc) Act (Cap H1 LFN
2004). This law prohibits the carrying, depositing and dumping of harmful waste
on land and in territorial waters.
·
Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic)
Act (Cap E9 LFN 2004).This provides for the conservation and management of
wildlife and the protection of endangered species, as required under certain
international treaties.
·
National Oil Spill, Detection and Response Agency Act 2006
(NOSDRA). The objective of this law is to put in place machinery for the
co-ordination and implementation of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan for
Nigeria to ensure safe, timely, effective and appropriate response to major or
disastrous oil pollution.
·
National Park Services Act (Cap N65 LFN 2004).This makes
provision for the conservation and protection of natural resources and plants
in national parks.
·
Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007.This repealed the Minerals
and Mining Act No. 34 of 1999 and re-enacted the Nigerian Minerals and Mining
Act 2007 for the purposes of regulating the exploration of solid minerals,
among other purposes.
·
Water Resources Act (Cap W2 LFN 2004). This aims at promoting
the optimum development, use and protection of water resources.
·
Hydrocarbon Oil Refineries Act: The Act is concerned with the
licensing and control of refining activities.
·
Associated Gas re-injection Act: This law deals with gas flaring
activities by oil and gas companies. Prohibits, without lawful permission, any
oil and gas company from flaring gas in Nigeria and stipulates the penalty for
breach of permit conditions.
·
Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act: The Act regulates
the use of radioactive substances and equipment emitting and generating
ionising radiation. In particular, it enables the making of regulations for
protecting the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.
·
Oil In Navigable Waters Act: This is concerned with the
discharge of oil from ships. It prohibits the discharge of oil from ships into
territorial waters or shorelines.
Nigerian Regulatory authorities
The National regulatory bodies include:
·
National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement
Agency (NESREA).
·
National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency.
·
Federal Ministry of Environment.
·
Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR).
·
Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority.
·
Federal Ministry of Water Resources
·
National Oil spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA)
·
National Biosafety Management Agency
·
Department of Climate Change
·
Energy Commission of Nigeria
·
Erosion, Floods and Coastal Zone Management
·
Department of Planning, Research and Statistics
·
Drought and Desertification Agency
Each of the 36 states has its own environmental protection
bodies. For example, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA)
law authorises officers to search and seize offending items and to arrest
offenders. Offences under the LASEPA law include:
·
Discharge of raw untreated human waste into any public drain,
gorge, or any land.
·
Discharge of any form of oil, grease, spent oil including trade
waste from manufacturing into any public drain, watercourse, gorge or road
verge.
Similar provisions are contained in the Akwa Ibom State
Environmental Protection and Waste Management Act (EPWMA) which empowers
inspectors to inspect premises and take samples of waste generated there. The
EPWMA also requires any person who commits an offence under the Act to be
brought before the Environmental Sanitation Court which can try offending
individuals or organisations.
Offences under the EPWMA include:
·
Burying or dumping expired drugs or chemicals without a permit.
·
Using pesticides, herbicides, insecticides or other chemicals to
kill fish or any other aquatic life in rivers, lakes and streams.
CONCLUSION
Global
climate is projected to continue to change over this century and beyond. The
magnitude of climate change beyond the next few decades depends primarily on
the amount of heat trapping gases emitted globally, and how sensitive the
Earth’s climate is to those emissions.
Do we
want the atmospheric temperature to continually increase or we want it to be
reduced? The steps we take after this will determine what exactly we want as a
continent and the world in whole. Change begins with you!
NOAH AJARE ESQ
NOTE CAVEAT: Please Note that this information is provided for general
enlightenment purposes and is not intended to be any form of legal advice
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