Climate change is the change in atmospheric patterns observed over a long period of time. These change may be natural, such as through variations in the solar system.
But since the 19th Century, human activities have been the main cause of climate change primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. This increase in fossil fuel burning leads to an increased amount of greenhouse gases and effects.
Many people are unaware that littering the environment could as well affect their health. Places in Africa like Nigeria are not supposed to experience flooding, but we have a very ineffective way of disposing dirt which end up blocking the waterways and result to flood.
Other activities of man such as deforestation, industrial processes, waste generation, can impact human health as there is an interplay between climate change and human health.
You might be wondering how climate change can affect your health, but an example is this; when you find yourself in a freezing environment, do you experience respiratory issues like catarrh, cough or difficulty in breathing? Climate conditions can even result to heart diseases, pest related diseases like West Nile virus and Lyme disease, water and food related illnesses such as cholera, injuries and death. These impacts are rapidly increasing in scale, frequency and intensity.
“Climate change is not only racking up a bill for future generations to pay, it’s a price that people are paying now with their health”, says Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (Director-General of the World Health Organisation)
The risk vulnerability of climate change impacts are gender, geographic location, age, economic resources, nutrition, race, access to medical care. Talking about age, older people are more affected because their immune systems are not as strong as that of the younger ones. The Nigerian Government and independent organisations are now implementing climate change programs to help raise awareness about climate change.
In Nigeria, climate change is emerging as a public health challenge which can lead to vulnerable diseases, malnutrition and extreme weather events. Addressing these health impacts requires a combined effort at both National and local levels, with youth playing a vital role in driving change. We must all work together to help save planet Earth.
It is sad to note that Nigeria ranks as the 53rd most vulnerable country globally, and it is the 179th most ready country in climate affairs, meaning we have a very long way to go in areas where improvements are needed.
We need to address climate related health issues and this can be achieved by:
- Addressing Vector-Borne Diseases: There should be more disease control programs in regions where rising temperatures and increased rainfalls are lengthening the disease transmission season.
- Climate Resilient Health Systems: Healthcare infrastructure should be strengthened to withstand extreme weather events. Our government can start by building flood resilient hospitals.
- We can take local actions by supporting community led initiatives, such as early warning systems and local health education.
- Researchers should make more studies to see how air quality can be improved.
Some of the terminologies in Climate Change include greenhouse gases (GHG), climate negotiations, mitigation, global warming, climate crises, energy access, climate finance and just transition.
When there is an increase in fossil fuel burning, it could also result to an increased amount of greenhouse gases. These gases include methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), Nitrogen oxide (N2O) which are emitted via sources that are either owned by federal agencies, industries or individuals. In the past, there have been climate negotiations aimed at addressing climate change through agreements.
Climate change policy framework in Nigeria addressing health include Nigeria Climate Change Act 2021, Energy Transition Plan, 2050 Long Term Low-Emission Vision, National Climate Change Policy, amongst others. We can effectively introduce mitigation strategies like transitioning to renewable energy sources, adopt regenerative agricultural practices, enhance energy efficiency to reduce or prevent GHG emissions that cause climate change.
People have been complaining lately that the weather is hotter and this is as a result of the gradual increase in the average temperature of earth resulting from the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere. This phenomenon is called global warming.
Have you ever asked yourself where Asia experiences several catastrophes and climate crises like earthquakes, flood and mud slides? This is because climate change has a greater impact in their region and results to natural disasters.
Everyone should have access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy. I believe this will go a long way in achieving the UN SDG 7, which aims to ensure energy access to affordable, reliable energy for all by 2030. Just transition is the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources in a way that is fair and inclusive. The benefits of a green economy are to be shared by everyone, especially those who are most affected by the transition.
There should be more support given to the masses especially those in undeserved communities. Support from local, national or global spaces, including public, private or alternative sources of financing to support mitigation and adaptation actions. I found out that Africa has the least climate financing even when our countries have been going for climate meetings and negotiations.
The Nigerian Health Sector is amongst the five sectors most often described as vulnerable to climate change, and we must take important actions to help ourselves. These actions can be as little as advocacy and awareness campaigns, innovation and entrepreneurship, community projects, networking and volunteering.
