Climate Change: Experts Propose Strategies to Tackle Adverse Effects

The World Meteorological Organisation has warned that last year’s record-breaking heat will likely continue in 2025, further accelerating climate change and leading to catastrophic consequences if urgent action is not taken to stem the “human activities” behind the looming disaster.

According to the United Nations weather agency, 2024 was set to be the warmest year on record, “capping a decade of unprecedented heat fuelled by human activities.”

Recently, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) announced that it had begun preparations for the public unveiling of the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction scheduled for the first quarter of this year.

As Nigerians await the climate prediction for this year, medical professionals have advised citizens to be vigilant and take precautionary measures against some viral illnesses that may occur, such as measles, chickenpox, conjunctivitis, meningitis, and skin cancer.

The Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki Ebonyi State, Dr. Kenneth Nwedu, urged Nigerians to drink water frequently and to practice hand hygiene.

“Parents should make it a point of duty to remind their children to drink water regularly, even when they are not thirsty. It helps flush out some toxins in the body, and it will be very helpful to avoid contracting some preventable diseases.

“Personal hygiene is also effective. When you touch any surface or use any public facility, it is necessary to wash your hands, and in the absence of water, use a hand sanitiser.” Nwedu said.

In the early months of 2024, Nigeria experienced prolonged, severe heat waves, especially in the northern parts of the country, with temperatures rising to a record 41°C.

Farmers also bore the brunt as they experienced drought during the period and waited patiently for the rains to commence farming.

A commercial farmer, Mr. Samuel Abu from the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, described his ordeal from last year’s farming season as devastating.

“I borrowed 40,000 naira to get a land plant for my crops. There is also a duration on which the acquired property would elapse. When the rain commenced, most of my crops had withered. My harvest last year was not a bounty, and there was no profit after I sold most of my produce. It was a bad experience, and I hope that this year will be better… Abu lamented.”

Chief Agricultural Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Shadrach Chukwudi, explained that the Ministry is currently collaborating with NiMet to sensitise farmers on the need to cultivate heat- and flood-resistant crops for increased productivity.

“Every year, we have a series of pre-season trainings for farmers where we educate them on improved varieties of crops that can withstand floods, droughts, insects, and pests.”.

The seasonal climate prediction by NiMet would provide information about the future outlook of the coming season to help mitigate climate risk, enhance adaptation options to support livelihoods, and ensure sustainable food security.

Ifeoma Nwovu