National Climate Change Policy and Nigerian Floods.

Climate change, Floods and government responsibility.

Climate change is no longer an issue that is only discussed by a few elite groups in Nigeria. An ordinary Nigerian is currently facing the impacts, making life harder than it already was and governments keep saying that they are doings something about it. Well yes there are.

On the 13th of September 2012, we received the news that the Nigeria's Federal Executive Council (FEC), have approved the draft National Climate Change Policy produced by a group professionals convened by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Climate Change. The experts, who worked with the principle behind the United Kingdom’s Climate Change Act, determined that Nigeria’s policy should ensure cut down of greenhouse gas emission and set the best target and institutional framework for doing so. According to the Hon Minister of Environment, the Policy focuses on the following: adaptation, mitigation, finance and technology.

While were debating this new development, and trying to understand the final content of the climate policy (which is not yet in circulation), Nigerian flood which began in early July 2012 intensified Nigerian had a very rainy season and suffers from seasonal flash floods. These floods are sometime very lethal as we are currently experiences across the country especially in rural areas or overcrowded slums and where drainage is poor or doesn't exit. Climate change in itself has exacerbated the impacts on human population and settlement. Will the new climate change policy be effectively implemented? we are yet to see.

#NGFloods

The Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition, Zero Carbon Africa, Nigerian Youth Climate Action Network, Women Environmental Programme (WEP) with other amazing young climate leaders like Halima Dagogo have begun an online/social media campaign and volunteer activities to raise awareness about the floods, calling for a greater ambition by the government find effective solution and support the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Red Cross in their rescue missions.

Using the innovative tools (Radio, TV, Social media) available to young people, we are calling government and relevant Agencies to step up support for victims of the Nigerian Floods.

Join the conversation today on twitter via #NGFloods

Source: NYCC