Environmental News

COPING WITH HARMATTAN IN THE YULETIDE SEASON

To say that the harmattan season is here again would be stating the obvious.

The nation is besieged with a different kind of weather towards the end of every year.

There is nothing unusual about it. If anything, the harmattan arrived a bit late this year, coming in early December instead of mid-November.

This is observable from the last rain of the year which occurred sometime last week, in most parts of Lagos. After the rain, came the much-dreaded season, and for others, the long expected break from the rain and the scotching heat of the sun.

Harmattan comes during the Yuletide season.

It comes with its own aura and many prefer it to the hot weather. This northeasterly wind blows from the Sahara towards the entire West Africa sub-region.. This begins from mid-November and attains a peak in mid-January but wanes by mid-February.

Despite the dry wind which comes with the season, it is also characterized by an extremely cold weather – quite a contrast. For this reason, it is not unusual to find out that fans and air conditioners are used less during this season.

The weather impacts on the socio-economic life in the country.

It brings with it very dry winds that are capable of inflaming unintended ashes into raging fires that can effortlessly get out of control causing destruction of lives and property. Hence, fire outbreaks are one of the general risks during harmattan.

Humans and vegetation also feel the immediate impact of harmattan.

One common feature of the season is that it comes with a variety of health hazards. For instance, common cold and its symptoms such as catarrh, sneezing and coughing are very rampant during harmattan. As the throat gets sore; sneezing is frequent while sometimes the eyes become wet or ruddy. Asthma patients suffer mostly during this period due to dusty environment. The same goes for sickle cell disease patients whose crises are triggered frequently due to the cold.

But like a bittersweet pill, harmattan is not entirely a negative season; it has some positive sides.

For example, good agricultural activities and rich harvest. Fruit trees like mangoes, avocado, guava, among others bloom with flowers and fruiting.

Traditionally, farmers use this period to clear farms and get them ready for planting.

It is also advisable that people improve on their hygiene pattern during this period. In the course of patronizing hawkers, fruits, vegetables and other of such items must be thoroughly cleaned before eating to prevent food borne diseases. Similarly, medical practitioners advice an increased intake of fruits and vegetables containing vitamin C, water and other fluids.

Since every season comes with its own challenges, there should be no cause for alarm during harmattan, except that people don’t get prepared for it.

It is, therefore, the collective responsibility of everyone, to not only adapt to changing environment conditions, but to also adopt individual and joint strategies to confront all challenges associated with the harmattan season.

http://thepointernewsonline.com/?p=35092

https://guardian.ng/opinion/my-friend-harmattan/

 

Environmental News

World Cities Day: UN-Habitat, Government to Upgrade Slums in Nigeria

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, says that the Federal Government is partnering with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to implement a Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP) initiative in Nigeria.

Fashola disclosed this on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at the commemoration of the 2017 “World Habitat Day” and “World Cities Day” by the Ministry with the themes: “Housing Policies: Affordable Homes” and “Innovative Governance, Open Cities” respectively.

While the World Habitat Day is observed on every October 2, the World Cities Day is celebrated on October 31. [Read more]

Nigeria: Lagosians Sensitized On Flood Prevention, Waste Sorting

In order to salvage their community from the perils of future flooding, residents of Akobi Crescent in Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State have been enlightened on the importance of sorting out their waste rather than dumping them in the canal.

The advocacy was championed by the Junior Chambers International (JCI) Lagos City. This was in collaboration with RyclePoints, a waste transformation firm, and the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

For a while, Akobi has been notorious for incidences of flood, leading to wanton loss of property. [Read more]

Sterling Bank Gets Recognition for Commitment to Sustainable Environment

Sterling Bank Plc has received recognition from Wecyclers Nigeria Limited for its commitment to the sustainable implementation of the Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles (NSBPs), through its Sterling Environmental Makeover (STEM) programme and the recycling of waste materials at its Lagos head office.

Wecyclers Nigeria, Nigeria’s pioneer waste recycling firm, gave the endorsement at the ceremony organised to mark one year of Sterling Bank’s waste recycling initiative held in Lagos.

Chief Marketing Officer. Sterling Bank, Mr. Henry Bassey, said he was quite excited about the recognition given to the various initiatives that the bank has embarked on over the years to promote environmental sustainability practices. [Read more]

Nigeria: Cloud Energy Offers Affordable Access to Solar Energy

 

In order to create affordable access to solar energy for all segments of the Nigerian society, Cloud Energy has launched a multi-function solar home system, Nigeria’s first with a 30 Watts solar panel.

The Multi-Function Solar Home System is designed with a 9AH battery. This will provide dependable basic electricity solutions to the poor and under-served in the society.

Launching the Solar Home System at a Resellers’ Forum at the weekend, the Managing Director, Cloud Energy, Theophilus Nweke, revealed that the multi-function solar home system would provide LED Home lighting, charge phones, power fan, radio and MP3 player, and other basic electricity functions with an advanced battery protection and maintenance system. [Read more]

Sokoto to Connect Solar Power in Rural Areas

The Sokoto State Government said it had started the process of connecting a number of rural households with solar power. This will help deepen energy usage and enhance rural electrification in the state.

Alhaji Bashir Gidado, the Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Tambuwal on Public Private Partnership (PPP), made the disclosure at a news conference in Sokoto on Sunday, October 29, 2017.

Gidado said the project was a partnership between the state government and Nigeria Energy Support Project (NESP), GIZ of Germany and GoSolar.

He added that a pilot scheme had already started in Kurdula, a rural settlement in Balle town in Gudu Local Government Area of the state. [Read more]

Environmental News

Air Quality – The Quality of Air We Breathe is of Essence

We humans take the quality of air we breathe for granted, forgetting the fact that we can’t live without it.

Luckily, air is a renewable resource constantly being replenished through our natural ecological cycles – carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, water, and nutrient.

Additional benefits are provided through other processes, called ecosystem services, which includes the dispersion of many environmental contaminants.

The first air pollutants emitted by humans probably occurred when early cave-dwellers learned to harness fire. Ancient Roman writers often complained about the effects of wood smoke on health.

In addition, the effects from power plants and automobiles contribute to ozone layer depletion and acid rainfall, while also affecting the chemical makeup of soils and bodies of water.

Besides, with the growing prevalence of airtight and energy-efficient homes and offices, the quality of indoor air is increasingly becoming a matter of concern, since dust particles and other pollutants are less likely to escape outdoors.

Smog and dust particles reduce visibility and can cause health problems, particularly for the elderly and those with respiratory problems.

These pollutants can also be transported by winds to affect other areas.

Although, emissions of all major air pollutants have decreased since 1970, concerns regarding nitrogen oxides from automobiles still exist. Between 1980 and 2006, total emissions of the six principal air pollutants dropped by 49 percent, with lead emissions decreasing by 98 percent.

During this same time, gross domestic product increased by 121 percent, vehicle miles traveled increased by 101 percent, and energy consumption increased by 29 percent.

Technological and regulatory efforts needs to be in place to control air pollution, although, considerable progress has been made.

Many of the easiest and most cost-effective measures have already been implemented; further reductions may require changes in individual behaviour, including restrictions on driving.

Therefore, we need to work together to achieve a healthy environment. By so doing, we will enjoy unpolluted air and live a healthier life.

https://enviroliteracy.org/air-climate-weather/air-quality/

 

Environmental News

Why we must maintain An Ecologically Balanced Environment

An environment firm, Prigem Concepts, has said there is need to maintain an ecologically balanced environment. This means having a sustainable environment where human activities do not cause distortion to the atmospheric structure and nature.

The firm’s managing partner, Owa Raymond, said, “If available data is anything to go by, our consumption pattern, lifestyle modification and excessive rural-urban migration have stretched the already inadequate infrastructure.

Wastage’s are associated with our population growth, post-harvest losses etc.

He maintained that a lot of the problems are contributed by the change in our behavioural pattern. This has evolved over-time and has largely been due to traditional disparity and family structure’ [Read more]

Federal Government to Revamp Urban Water Supply Nationwide

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to revamping urban water supply nationwide to meet the international target of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on water for all by 2030.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stated this in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the National Retreat on Revitalising Urban Water and Sanitation Sector in Nigeria.
He noted that clean potable water, in addition to adequate sanitation, were key factors for socio-economic development in the country.
“The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, places priority on infrastructure development including those of water supply and sanitation towards ensuring better life for our people’ [Read more]

NESREA Cautions Nigerians on Environment

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), South-West Zone has urged members of the public to protect their environments to guarantee sustainable development in the country.
The Zonal Director of NESREA, Mr Adeleke Ajani told newsmen in Ibadan that safeguarding the environment was a collective responsibility of everybody.
“We all have to work together as stakeholders to ensure cleaner environment for our own survival and sustainable development. Whatever we give the environment is what is given to us,” he said’ [Read more]

Lagos Clamps Down On Illegal Dumpsites

Lagos Government has ordered the closure of all illegal dumpsites across the state, saying it would not hesitate to take over sites used for unauthorized dumping of refuse.

Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe gave the order during monitoring tour of the State where he discovered an illegal dumpsite in the Anthony area of the State.

He condemned the existence of illegal dumpsites in Lagos State, stressing that such unauthorized sites do not only deface the Lagos mega-city but also create serious health and environmental hazards to the people’ [Read more]

NCF Embarks On Waste Management Advocacy in 20 Lagos Communities

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has embarked on a 6-month waste management advocacy campaign in selected 20 communities in Eti-Osa local government area of Lagos state.

In a statement made available in Lagos by the foundation, “the activities are geared towards making our environment sustainable and habitable for future generation.”

The selected communities include: Sangotedo, Idado, Gbara, Elegushi, Iru/Victoria Island, Agungi, Olugborogan, among others.

“The project will be carried out over a period of six months, commencing from September 2017. It has been divided into 5 major phases: Community Entry; Community & School Sensitization Clean up Exercise; Monitoring & Evaluation; and Post Project Supervision.”[Read more]

 

 

 

CSRfeatured

FOTE, UNDP & Zenith Bank Empower Women

As part of efforts at reducing health hazards and protecting the environment, Global Environment Facility (GEF) of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Friends Of The Environment (FOTE) in partnership with Zenith Bank, have empowered over 100 women in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State on the use and benefits of cooking gas.

Chairperson of FOTE, Mrs. Joanna Maduka, said the programme is aimed at preventing health hazards from environmental pollution among rural women in the country.

She noted that from baseline study conducted during the pre-event survey, it was discovered that 86 per cent of the women cook with kerosene stove and firewood, while 14 per cent make use of gas.

“Averagely, 86 per cent of the people surveyed spend between N5,000 to N10,000 monthly on firewood and kerosene while those who use the LPG spend averagely N3,500 on refilling the gas. On further discussion, all of the women indicated their interest in the use of gas. However they lacked the initial sum for purchase of the cylinder and gas burner,” she said.

Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Zenith Bank, Mrs. Eunice Sampson, advised the women to take advantage of the reduced prices in LPG, insisting that it would help improve their health and also protect the environment.

Watch Video Below

The event was also used to introduce the Zenith wonder bag, a heat retention cooker, which saves more than 30 per cent of regular energy costs. The event is the first of a seven-part awareness campaign, which includes four more local councils in Lagos and two local councils in Ogun State.

Environmental News

My Environment, My world – a Reminder on the Importance of Taking Care of Our Environment

We need to start doing the right things towards saving our environment from major environmental problems.

By so doing, we are able to save human existence in the near future.

Our planet earth has a natural environment, known as ‘Ecosystem.’ which includes all humans, plant life, mountains, atmosphere, and seas.

The modern technology we use now, especially in the engineering and manufacturing industries have a major impact in our lives. Some of these technologies result in resource depletion and environmental destruction.

In addition, environmental issues are no longer a blame game. Instead of complaining about polluted air, smelly garbage, polluted water, why don’t we start by keeping our environment clean?

Because when we look at it, our daily activities contribute to this environmental menace.

Below are some major environmental issues, where humans play a key role in its cause.

Pollution: Human beings and their actions are majorly responsible for all types of pollution. Such as water, noise, air, etc. Water pollution is essentially caused by oil spillage and ocean dumping. Air pollution rises from burning of fossil fuels, gases emitted by vehicles and so on.

Climate change: Climate change today is less of a natural process. It is rapidly occurring due to the ill effects of human actions like global warming, greenhouse effects, etc. Thereby, altering the overall weather set-up.

Deforestation: With population growing at a rapid rate, the demand for food, shelter and clothing has almost tripled in the last few decades. To overcome this growing demand, a direct action that we have come to recognize as “deforestation” occurs. Deforestation means, clearing of forests or green cover to make land available for residential, commercial or industrial purpose.

Overpopulation: This is a never-ending human tragedy which is responsible for causing all kinds of environmental issues. Such as: water pollution, resources crisis, gender imbalance, noise pollution, land pollution, urban sprawling, and deforestation.

What can you do to help the Environment?

Dispose waste properly; stop littering your roads and drainage.

Observe regular environmental sanitation exercise and clear out waste build-up from gutters.

Demand action from government at all levels, especially local. (This might look impossible but when we make a conscious effort to keep our environment clean, the government would surely support).

Last but not the least, spread the word. Let people know the importance of a clean environment and the dangers of improper waste management.

How do you take care of your environment?

http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/current-environmental-issues.php

 

 

Environmental News

90kW Solar System Gives Steady Power to 400 Homes in Northern Nigeria

400 families in Gnami and Pakau communities of Kaduna state have reportedly enjoyed non-stop clean electricity. This has been supplied to them for about two years now by two solar photovoltaic systems worth 90 kilowatts (kW). As disclosed by Nigeria’s power ministry.

The ministry stated in Abuja on August 2, 2017 that the systems – a 40kW and 50kW off grid solar mini plants, were installed in Gnami and Pakau respectively by the ministry.

It explained the projects were built under a renewable energy initiative to provide affordable and reliable access to electricity in rural communities in the country’ [read more]

Lagos Lauds Sterling Bank on Environmental Sustainability

In a show of endorsement of Sterling Bank’s sustainability campaign known as Sterling Environmental Makeover (STEM), senior officials of the Lagos State Government have paid glowing tributes to the initiative, saying it is in line with the state government’s vision of encouraging residents to show respect for the environment.

Speaking at the inauguration of the mega cleaning exercise, which took place on August 17, 2017 at the Computer Village in Ikeja, recently, was the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare. He commended Sterling Bank for its show of commitment to the campaign for a livable environment’ [read more]

Federal Government Restates Desire to Phase out Plastic Bags

The Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Usman Jibril, stated the desire of the Federal Government to eradicate polythene bags. They will be replaced with recyclable paper bags and in the process create wealth from waste.

Speaking in Abuja recently during the 10th Global Environment Facility (GEF) National Steering Committee Meeting, the minister, represented by the Director, Human Resources, Mr Gabriel Lotto, said it is the dream of the government to faithfully upscale issues of the environment,  such as climate change, biodiversity, desertification, and forest and land management’ [read more]

Visionscape Gets Lagos Support for Environmental Bond

Special Purpose Vehicle, the Municipality Waste Management Contractors Limited, has issued a N50 billion Medium Term Notes to finance the implementation of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI).

The Lagos State Ministry of Environment fully supports the innovative financing structure adopted by Visionscape and its partners.

The companies and their local partners will provide vital infrastructure by designing, building and managing the first engineered sanitary landfill in Nigeria.

The Lagos State Government recently launched the CLI, which is expected to commence fully in September 2017.  The Initiative is also targeted at providing over 27,500 street sweeping jobs and 400,000 indirect jobs within the State, as part of a poverty alleviation initiative’ [read more]

Waste to Wealth Containers Arrive Port Harcourt (PH)

18 containers of equipment for the construction of a world class sea waste management project has arrived in Rivers State.

This project will be carried out by African  Circle  (MARPOL), also known as  African  pollution management company. They are expected to  keep  the sea clean.

General Manager, Eastern Operations, Olajide  Oluwayemi  told newsmen  that, containers which arrived from   France are components of waste management facilities.
“This operates a waste to wealth system” Oluwayemi said’ [read more]

Energy Conservation

Go Green: Introducing the World’s First Floating Wind Energy Plant

Modern technology is converting the seemingly impossible to possibility.

It is difficult to imagine a wind turbine floating in the ocean.

Wind turbines are magnificent structures which tower higher than the world’s tallest buildings. They are generally static and grounded with a massive supporting structure under waters.

The revolutionary technology allows wind power to be harvested in waters too deep for the current conventional bottom-standing turbines.

The first floating wind turbine has been placed about 20 km (12 miles) off the coast of Peterhead in Scotland. Another four turbines will be added to the farm, which together will generate up to 30 megawatts of energy, enough to power 20,000 households.

Each turbine is 175m tall and weighs over 11,000 tonnes.

The £190 million ($250 million) project is being financed by the UK government’s renewable-energy plan.

Though they are currently expensive to make, hopefully in the future it would come at a reduced cost as it is a great source of energy.

If the technology becomes cheaper, it will open up parts of the ocean previously considered too deep for stationary turbines.

Successfully creating a floating wind turbine is not only a huge accomplishment in engineering but it also has the potential to revolutionise energy creation through wind power.

Unlike conventional wind turbines that are built directly into the seabed, a floating wind turbine can unlock huge swathes of ocean that had previously been considered unusable for wind power.

Also, floating turbines are not attached to the seabed by foundations. Rather, they are attached by long mooring tethers, allowing them to be placed in water as deep as one kilometre.

The company behind this technology is Statoil located in Norway.

They have been perfecting their design since 2009.

Scotland is already proving that wind power can be a hugely effective energy source after it was revealed that for a single day in August 2016 Scotland was entirely powered by wind.

We hope Nigeria adopts this new technology as it is a great way of producing energy without polluting the environment.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/go-green-introducing-worlds-first-floating-wind-energy-muqbil-ahmar

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/the-worlds-first-floating-wind-farm-is-coming-to-scotland_uk_5975ae92e4b00e4363e08f90

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/world-first-wind-farm-floating-scotland-north-east-coast-north-sea-hywind-turbines-a7857866.html

Environmental News

FLOODING – Effect of Blocked Drainage Systems on the Environment ‘Using Lagos State as a Case Study’

Water is important to life. Every living thing needs water to survive.

Yet the same water causes havoc and becomes a terror in form of floods when rivers overflow their banks due to excess rainfall.

Floods are common natural disasters that can affect millions of people around the world. They destroy houses and carry soil away from valuable farm land.

At least once a year, the plains around large rivers are flooded. This is due to the amount of water that rivers bring with them, because of heavy rainfall.

Flooding causes extensive damage. Apart from destroying crops, houses and other things coming its way, floods takes with it the upper fertile crust of land.

Apart from being a natural disaster, floods are also caused by humans.

For instance, the picture attached to this article shows one of the man-made causes of flood in our environment.

This picture shows how the canal which is supposed to be a drainage system in the Lekki area of Lagos is being blocked by improper maintenance and dumping of refuse.

This canal blockage is one of the reasons why coastal areas like Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki and its environs experienced severe flooding on Saturday, 8th of July 2017.

It was a chaotic day for people living in these areas.

According to the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Babatunde Adejare “We hope this experience serves as a wakeup call for residence who are in the habit of dumping refuse in drainages meant to take flood water to the lagoon.

He urged the residents to remain calm, assuring them that the government has activated its emergency response system to respond efficiently where necessary.

The commissioner therefore urged residents to stop dumping refuse indiscriminately especially in drainage channels, as this could lead to loss of lives and properties.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/236344-why-vi-lekki-others-are-flooded-lagos-govt-explains-urges-calm.html

 

Environmental News

‘Solar Paint’ Prototype Introduced to Help Homes Generate Clean Energy

Solar paints could be the future of renewable energy. There’s a new technology being developed that can turn solar energy and water vapour into fuel.

The researchers discovered that in order to create solar paint, the compound should be mixed with titanium oxide. This way, the paint can absorb sunlight that also produces hydrogen fuel harvested from solar energy and moisture from air.

How does this work? [read more]

Air Pollution Casts Shadow over Solar Energy Production

Global solar energy production is taking a major hit due to air pollution and dust. The first study of its kind shows airborne particles and their accumulation on solar cells is cutting energy output by more than 25 percent in certain parts of the world’ [read more]

African Leaders Tackle Environmental Goals

We need to adopt a holistic perspective, said the Baha’i International Community. This statement was made at a recent meeting held in Libreville, Gabon on the environment that convened leaders in Africa.

“We have to look at the spiritual and material dimensions. How do we live with nature harmoniously?” [read more]

Nigeria: Flood Control – Akwa Ibom Gets N32 Billion from World Bank

The Akwa Ibom Government says the World Bank has earmarked the sum of N32 billion to tackling flood in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Dr Iniobong Essien, who disclosed to newsmen on Sunday 25th, June in Uyo, said that the project would be executed in partnership with the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP)

He said that the drainage project would be implemented in phases and when completed, it would reduce the incidence of flooding in the state’ [read more]

Minister of Environment Partners Lagos State University on Environmental Regeneration

Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, has said the Ministry was set to partner Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, on environmental management and sustainability through its Centre for Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development (CESSED).

Adejare made this known during a courtesy call on LASU Vice Chancellor, Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun. He was accompanied by some top ministry officials.

According to him, it has become necessary for the academic to be involved in finding solutions to societal problems, particularly in the environment sector’ [read more]