By Yemi Olakitan, Nneka Nwogwugwu and Fatima Saka
Nigerians across different strata and professions have called on the Federal Government, states, their agencies and the private sector to adopt renewable energy as against fossil fuels to help mitigate global warming and climate change.
The call by these Nigerian stakeholders come against the background of similar ones around the globe to combat the common enemy of climate change.
Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources that are constantly being replenished. Renewable energy sources are plentiful and all around us.
An environmental specialist and the Network Coordinator for Let’s Do It World (LDIW) Africa Region, an environmental non-profit organisation, Mr Gafar Odubote, urged Nigerians to adjust to and utilise renewable energy to combat the consequences of climate change.
Odubote stressed that the fight against climate change should include both adaptation and mitigation.
Odubote said, “Along with mitigation, we may actively combat climate change by participating in climate change adaptation.
“The process of adjusting to the present and future effects of climate change is known as climate change adaptation. It differs significantly from mitigation, which is the prevention or limiting of the effects of climate change.”
He explained that with adaptation, greenhouse gas emissions would be totally eliminated rather than reduced.
Only recently, the House of Representatives also encouraged the federal government to explore renewable energy including nuclear, solar, biomass, and wind to power Nigerians.
The House also encouraged the government to create an investor-friendly framework for private sector alternative power supply investment nationwide.
The motions headed “Need for Alternative and Renewable Power Supply in Nigeria” were moved by Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji.
Umeoji presented the motion, noting that stable energy supply was the main driver of sustainable economic development progress and that all government programmes prioritised it.
“A nation with epileptic power supply must delay development and risk losing market investors. “Nigeria’s inability to attain steady power supply across decades is a sign that its over-reliance on gas and to a lesser extent hydroelectric power sources alone needs to be evaluated.
“Rural enterprises struggle without electricity, which leads to rural-urban migration and underdevelopment.
This is as an environmental champion and educator, Mrs. Shola Abimbola, told NatureNews that renewable energy is the only solution to tackle Nigeria’s energy crisis. She also noted fossil fuel-free energy reduces air pollution.
Abimbola held that diversifying energy sources and cutting fuel imports would boost Nigeria’s economy.
“Renewable energy generates manufacturing, installation, and other jobs. Nigeria has plenty of renewable energy. Solar energy is available year-round in the country. Cheaper too. If the Federal Government invests in it, it will transform the Nigerian energy sector, ” Abimbola added.
The LDIW African Region coordinator, Odubote, urged individuals and corporate entities to switch to renewable energy sources in order to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
“In order to effectively adapt to the effects of climate change, people should live sustainable lifestyles. “Corporate organisations can start addressing climate change by changing their business strategies to account for it and avert impending natural disasters. One important method of coping with climate change is to run offices and equipment on renewable energy sources rather than burning diesel.
“It is time to start considering more ways to utilise renewable energy as a means of coping with climate change.”
“We can eventually overcome the challenges of climate change if we can refill our environment via adaptation,” he stated.
“We should plan and create our architectural models to be climate change-adaptive. Solar energy usage and the choice of building materials are crucial.
Odubote continued, “Our infrastructure construction should be tailored with climate change adaptation in mind.
He emphasised that the measures continue to be the proper course of action for everyone in reducing the impact of climate change in the nation.
Odubote urged Nigerians to adopt new behaviours in order to combat the effects of climate change.
“We also need to encourage people to adjust their attitudes regarding climate change; it shouldn’t be dismissed as a myth.
“In mitigation, we always encourage a sustainable way of living and activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
” We should boost the budgetary allotment for the forestry department and encourage more afforestation initiatives,” he advised.
Also, the Programme Officer Daily Trust Foundation, Immam Nma Shuaib, said the transition to renewable energy would save the world most specially Nigeria from the challenges of energy crises, food cross, and others related crises.
Giving an instance on how renewable energy can help in overcoming the challenges of emissions and environmental pollution as a result of the use of fossil fuels, he also said It is cheaper to maintain.
“Renewable energy sources are also not subject to extinction or exhaustion. They are well in abundance,” he stressed.
Also speaking with Nature News, a fireman for Total Energies, who craved anonymity, said adopting renewable energy in industrial companies and cities would help governments achieve 2030 target to reduce carbon emissions.
He said the target could only be achieved if multinational companies as well domestic oil and gas companies would cut down on carbon emission, thereby reducing climate change.
He said as a fireman, he had witnessed situations where adverse effects of carbon emission destroyed livelihoods.
He urged the Federal Government to join global leaders to ensure that regulations are implemented to reduce the increasing effects of carbon emission and also adopt alternative means like renewable energy.
