Nigeria is one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change. The country is already experiencing the impacts of climate change, such as more frequent and intense droughts, floods, and heat waves. These impacts are disproportionately affecting marginalized communities, such as women, children, and people living in poverty.
A few years back, there have been several examples of climate injustice in Nigeria. In 2018, a drought in the Northeast (Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe) of the country led to a food crisis that affected millions of people. In 2020, flooding in the South (Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers) of the country displaced over 200,000 people. And in 2022, a heat wave in the North (Borno, Katsina, Kano, and Kaduna) of the country killed over 1,000 people.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), there have been several heat waves in Northeast Nigeria since 2018, with the most recent one occurring in June 2022. The heat waves have caused widespread crop failure, livestock deaths, and respiratory problems. In some cases, they have also led to deaths.
The heat wave in Maiduguri, a metropolitan city in Nigeria between 2022 - 2023 is just the latest example of climate injustice in Nigeria. The temperature in Maiduguri came to 40 degrees Celsius, which is well above the average temperature for any city. This heat wave has had a devastating effect on the lives of people in Maiduguri. Many people have been hospitalized due to heatstroke, and there have been several deaths.
The total death toll from heat waves in Northeast Nigeria from 2018 to 2022 is at least 70 people. However, it is likely that the actual death toll is higher, as many heat-related deaths may go unreported.
These are just a few examples of the climate injustice that is happening in Nigeria. These impacts are having a devastating effect on the lives of millions of people. They are also making it more difficult for Nigeria to achieve its development goals.
Nigeria as a nation needs help in combating climate change as many Nigerians living in remote areas are scarcely educated about the significant transition and impact climate change would have on their day-to-day life.
Nigeria needs to adapt to the impacts of climate change by investing in infrastructure that is resilient to extreme weather events. The country also needs to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
In addition to adaptation and mitigation, Nigeria also needs financial assistance to help it address the impacts of climate change. Developed countries have a responsibility to provide financial assistance to developing countries, such as Nigeria, as they are the ones who have benefited the most from the fossil fuel economy.
The Nigerian government should also ensure that the voices of marginalized communities are heard in the international space. These communities are the ones who are most affected by climate change, and they deserve to have a say in how the climate crisis is addressed.
However, more needs to be done to address the problem of climate injustice in Nigeria. The government needs to invest in infrastructure, such as air conditioning and water systems, to help people cope with the heat. It also needs to provide more support to farmers and herders who are affected by the phenomenon.
Climate injustice is a real and pressing crisis in Nigeria. It is time for the Nigerian government to seize action and demand that evolved nations do their part to address this crisis. Together, we can work to build a climate-resilient future for Nigeria.
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