By Bisola Adeyemo
Following the upcoming convention on climate change (COP26), some environmentalists on Thursday have said that African countries need infrastructural development to combat climate change.
The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is a global event, scheduled to be held in the city of Glasgow, Scotland between 31 October -12 November 2021, under the presidency of the United Kingdom.
The COP26 aimed at working together with countries to be able to encourage countries affected by climate change -to protect, restore ecosystems, build defences, warning, systems and resilient infrastructure and agriculture to avoid loss of homes, livelihoods and even lives.
In an interview with NatureNews, Engineer Ibrahim Jolaosho, said Climate change is a problem that is facing the planet particularly Africa countries and it has progressed a lot after the industrial revolution.
The emission of greenhouse gases has accelerated the progress of climate change and made the weather more intense. However, the world’s dependence on fossil fuel for energy, transportation, and manufacturing have created a major obstacle for us to switch to renewable energy.
“We need to transfer our energy to renewable energy Also, one of the things we must do is to adapt to the changes that occurred and will occur. We need to prevent any future changes from happening, but adaptation is a major thing we need to do”.
“Scientists, environmentalists, communities, as well as policy makers need to diligently and cooperatively to live up to these challenges and combat climate change.
While speaking on what could be the agenda of Africa during the global meeting, Engineer Ibrahim said “The first thing African should demand from the developed countries including Europe, US and even Asia is to be more responsible in their industrialization and development to preserve our common earth.
“They should stop using Africa as a dump ground for products and technologies that does not comply with climate change protocols and treaties.
“Moreso, Europe should help Africa develop sustainably to avoid falling into the same challenge of environmental degradation Europe and other nations are trying to come out of.
In her own view, Miss Sylvia Obiukwu. An Environmentalist said in as much as factors causing environmental degradation can originate from one region but its impact will be felt in another region, Africans especially Nigeria is currently a major contributor to global environmental degradation through the activities of our oil production and exploration.
“Nigeria was the world’s 17th biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in 2015, the second highest in Africa after South Africa. The country’s economy is closely tied to oil and gas exports. Profits from petroleum exports currently account for 86% of Nigeria’s total export revenue. The production of oil and gas in Nigeria has been linked to environmental disasters. In adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change, Nigeria is as much the cause of its own problem.
“Restitution can only apply if it’s the case of oil spill caused by international oil companies, of course, there are laid down legal procedures for adequate cleanup and remediation of spill sites as well as compensation and social cooperate responsibilities.
Speaking also, Mr. Yemi Lawrence, who stated that the ancient countries can render support by developing solar power. assist in reducing emissions through afforestation, less use of fossil fuels
“Increasing resilience against the negative impacts of climate change such as heat waves, Floods it another way they can support African as well as researching novel techniques in the use of alternative energy and maximize use of renewable energy.”
