Tackling climate change

Nigeria and Malawi may not be amongst the worst culprits of global warming and the changing effects of the climate. But the activities of deforestation in both countries categorise them as victims because according to Professor Babajide Alo the production of charcoal and burning of wood to cook in Nigeria and Malawi generates sufficient gasses which deplete the ozone layer and in turn leads to global warming.
Despite existing laws against charcoal production in Malawi the industry still strives. However the press officer of the International Institute of Environment Development said they have been working with partners in Malawi and suggested that if the country legalise charcoal production and taxed it, they could generate a huge amount of money to boost the economy. Like in Malawi deforestation is a huge problem in Nigeria. Ambassador Hamzat Ahmadu the executive council chairman of the Nigerian conservation Foundation said the government should provide affordable alternative for the poor. Bola Odunsi the chief environmental scientist, federal ministry of the environment added that a more aggressive campaign is needed to educate the masses on the need to preserve the forests.
The first carbon credit project that was registered in Nigeria is an efficient wood stove at fifteen thousand naira. But critics say those who really need the stove can not afford it Jorg Salamo a German environmental entrepreneur in charge of the project if the Nigerian customs tariff were not so high the price of the efficient wood stove would be cheaper . While kerosene is usually scarce and unavailable and gas is out of the reach of so many, culture and tradition may remain a hindrance for many especially in the rural areas to adopt to other sources of cooking other than charcoal and firewood

Shortlink:

Posted by AfricaSTI on March 18, 2012. Filed under Media. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry