CPED COLLABORATES WITH CSEA TO ORGANIZE NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
Venue: Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria
Date: September 8-9, 2014
CPED in collaboration with CSEA organized a two day workshop in Abuja, Nigeria. The event which took place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel had in attendance government officials, policy makers, head of parastatals, CPED and CSEA representatives, distinguished academics and members of the press from all parts of the country.
The workshop tagged “Climate Change and Environmental Degradation” focused on the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife in Nigeria and also, to identify possible ways to combat this life threatening scourge.
The workshop provided a platform for researchers and policymakers to share knowledge on the above subject and also identified the gaps or challenges which impede the process of making evidence- informed policy choices in the country. Prof. Peter A.O. Odjugo, CPED research associate and senior lecturer of the faculty of geography and regional planning, university of Benin, made a presentation on “Climate Change Vulnerability, Impact and Adaptation in the Lowland and wetland Areas of Delta State, Nigeria”.In his presentation, he pointed out that following the Third and Fourth Annual Reports of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Nigeria should be concerned by climate change because of its 800km coastline, coastal settlements, coastal investments, rain-fed agriculture and fishing activities. According to one of his research findings, he stated that mean annual temperature and rainfall amount are on the increase. This he said affect ecosystems greatly because of a species’ sensitivity to temperature. Prof. Odjugo concluded by advocating for urgent need for rigorous research and awareness creation using science-based information. He also recommended that key stakeholder especially those making policies and implementing them should be empowered through training and research uptake in order for climate change and adaptation strategies to be taking seriously.
The workshop featured two (2) sessions which are:
- Causes and vulnerability of climate change in Niger Delta.
- Impact and adaptation of climate change in Niger Delta.
