Heatwaves and droughts, wildfires, cyclones, rising sea levels, land degradation, desertification and major floods have made climate change – also referred to as global warming – a devastating reality, resulting in millions facing famine, water scarcity and agricultural shrinking.

With every slightest increment of warming, the effects will only get worse, with a disproportionate impact on those countries in the world which are still developing and that lack the resources and means to protect themselves by implementing effective climate action.

This was the warning by Egypt’s foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, the incoming president of the conference of parties – COP27 – that starts in Sharm El-Sheikh on Sunday, November 6, and ends on Friday, November 18.

In this special report, environmental expert Usman Aliyu spoke to RNI about the importance of the government and its development partners in Nigeria to embark on a massive public awareness campaign about key issues, causes, the dangers and the effects of climate change.

Aliyu, a member of Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) and a member of Nigerian Environmental Society, told RNI that although scientists and other experts had been talking about climate change for many years, it had been only in recent years that the reality of global warming and its devastating effects had made governments sit up and take notice.

“The impact of climate change has become prevalent and it is worsening by the day as we see the effects of large companies using big machines that are capable of producing excessive smoke into the ozone layer. The ozone layer is like a curtain in the sky.”

It is the common term for the high concentration of ozone that is found in the stratosphere around 15km to 30km above the earth’s surface. It covers the entire planet and protects life on earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation from the sun.

While the ozone gas in the atmosphere protects humankind from harmful radiation, greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat in the atmosphere thereby raising temperatures worldwide with harmful repercussions.

Aliyu said that globally, the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions were electricity and heat (31%), agriculture (11%), transportation (15%), forestry (6%) and manufacturing (12%). Energy production of all types accounted for 72% percent of all emissions.

Clearing land and forests released carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and garbage landfills were a major source of methane emissions. “Energy, industry, transport, buildings, agriculture and land use are among the main emitters,” he said.

“Climate change refers to shifting temperatures and weather patterns. The causes of climate change might be natural but human factors – primarily the burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas – are the main contributors.

“Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions which, coupled with the sun’s heat and rising temperatures, are the main causes of global warming. This has resulted in melting glaciers and icebergs, which have increased the quantity of the water and have brought about massive flooding in some parts of the world.”

Aliyu said climate change had affected the physical, biological and socioeconomic environments.

“People often misuse and overuse the environment at the same time. For instance, trees are cut down to be used as firewood to cook food. The problem is that when they cut down trees, they do not plant others, which is mostly what causes desertification, the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation or inappropriate agriculture. Also, the smoke that comes from burning firewood, trash or bush areas has a long-term effect and contributes to climate change.”

In northeastern Nigeria, the people who cut down trees were mostly local farmers, he said, and many of them did not know anything about the climate change crisis, its effects and the dangers to their own lives as well as the that of their livestock.

It was for this reason that the federal government and its development partners should make a major effort to help the public to become aware of the dangers of climate change and its causes, especially for those who lived in rural areas, he said, adding that local farmers needed to know what measures they should put in place to help combat the climate change crisis.

“Scientists and environmental experts are optimistic that world leaders, international communities and development partners will take decisive measures and actions to help avert the climate change crisis globally from getting worse when they meet for the COP27 summit in Egypt which, among other issues, will focus of the implementation of key issues of climate change crisis that were raised at the COP26 summit held in Glasgow, Scotland in December last year.”

Residents of Maiduguri spoke to RNI about the climate change crisis.

Abbas Alhaji Bura said: “I used to hear about climate change and, based on what I understand, it is about cutting down trees which will result in higher temperatures and decrease the circulation of air. We all know how cool and comfortable it is to take refuge under fully grown trees, to feel the breeze and sit in the shade where it is not so hot. I know it is very significant for us to plant trees and avoid cutting down trees for cooking food or commercial purposes. If a tree is cut down, at least one tree should be planted in its place.”

Umar Mustapha said he had never heard of climate change and did not know what it was all about. “All that I know is that the change in weather patterns, such as high or low temperatures, low or excessive rainfall during rainy season and extreme cold weather, are destined by Almighty Allah. Apart from that, I don’t know anything about climate change and its causes.”

Abdullahi Yunusa told RNI that climate change was very complicated and confusing. “What I know about climate change is that it brings about a high rate of fever among people. People are falling sick because of the high temperatures and fluctuations or changes in weather patterns. So, perhaps climate change brings about different kinds of diseases and unknown illnesses.”

• In his letter to parties and observers of the coming COP27, Shoukry said that as COP president, Egypt was proud to host more than 45,000 registered participants representing the United Nations, regional organisations, businesses, the scientific community, indigenous and local communities and civil society to jointly enhance and accelerate the implementation of climate action and follow up on their collective commitments and pledges.

He said the conference was being held amid increasing mitigation gaps, a rapidly closing window of opportunity for adaptation and recurrent and increasingly severe losses and damages. Reports reinforced the insufficiency of climate finance and undelivered pledges and science had indicated that some impacts of climate change were now irreversible and required concerted global solidarity and action, not empty rhetoric.

“COP27 creates a unique opportunity for the world to come together, mend multilateralism, rebuild trust and unite at the highest political levels to address climate change – with more than 100 heads of states and governments joining the summit, let us take advantage of what COP27 can offer as we have no time to lose.

“With this in mind, it was only logical that COP 27 unofficially be labelled ‘the Implementation COP’. This means the full and faithful implementation … to keep the temperature goal within reach and avert further negative impacts. It further means pursuing a transformative action agenda aimed at moving from pledges to actions on the ground.”

Shoukry said the climate crisis needed dedicated efforts by all, from heads of states and governments to young climate activists and advocates, from multinationals and major stakeholders to small community groups at local level. The magnitude of the climate challenge required an inclusive partnership and collaboration among all stakeholders to deliver the actions.

SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO