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Climate Change: Reject All Forms Of Geoengineering Technology, Environmental Activists Urge African Leaders

Published

6 months ago

November 15, 2023

Editor

Friends of the Earth Africa and Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) have called on African governments to reject all forms of Geoengineering Technology aimed at protecting local communities against the adverse effects at COP 28.

INFO DAILY reports that Geoengineering refers to large-scale schemes for intervention in the earth’s oceans, soils and atmosphere, with the aim of providing a temporary reduction of the effects of climate change.

The Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, Chima Williams, while highlighting some of the human rights impact of Geoenginnering, explaines that Solar Radiation management techniques such as spraying sulphates into the stratosphere or modifying clouds, may have unintended infringement on the right to health and the right to water.

He added that Carbon Dioxide Removal methods involving large-scale carbon capture in the atmosphere, also raises human rights concerns in relation to food, livelihood, land and indigenous rights.

He further stated that the earth radiation management technique is an infringement on the right to self-determination and the right to adequate standard of living.

Williams who called for the reduction of the emissions of greenhouse gases, pointed out that it’s the safest way to rescue the world from the negative impacts of climate change which is the goal that every sector must pursue without compromise.

“A search on efforts being made to address the climate crisis will produce shocking results that shows that all sectors including the most polluting sectors also claim to be involved in fighting climate change.

“This deception is the targeted atdodging the real solutions which essentially is about cutting emissions to zero by leaving fossil fuel in the soil, coal in the ground and tar sand in the hole and adopting renewable energy sources.”

On his part, climate justice campaigner with ERA/FoEN and Friends of the Earth Africa, Maimoni MariereUbrei-Joe, stated that Climate Geoengineering is one of the many false solutions that have been proposed to counter the path to a just energy transition.

According to Ubrei-Joe, some of geoengineering techniques such as Solar Radiation Management (SRM) seeks to alter the amount of sunlight reaching the earth’s surface and could lead to regional climate changes.

“Solar Radiation Management is the altering of the amount of sunlight reaching the earth’s surface, which could lead to regional climate changes. This could result in shifts in precipitation patterns, temperature extremes, and changes in agricultural productivity, which could negatively impact local communities that rely on stable and predictable climate conditions for farming, water availability, and livelihoods.

“Modifying cloud patterns or introducing reflective particles into the atmosphere may have unintended consequences for local ecosystems. Changes in sunlight and temperature regimes could disrupt ecosystems, leading to shifts in species composition, altered migration patterns, and potential biodiversity loss” he added.

Ubrei-Joe further revealed that Carbon Dioxide Removal whichrefers to a Large-scale implementation of techniques such as afforestation or creating artificial forests, which may require a large expanse of land areas, could create the struggle for land resources by local communities.

“This has the potential of displacing local communities and forcing them to encroach on indigenous territories, or disrupting traditional land uses and livelihoods. Some CDR methods, like ocean fertilization, may carry environmental risks.

“For instance, seeding the ocean with iron pellets to stimulate plankton blooms can alter marine ecosystems, affecting fish populations and potentially disrupting local fishing industries or coastal communities dependent on marine resources.

“Earth Radiation Management is the thinning of cirrus clouds to allow more heat to escape into space. Creating changes to cloud cover and atmospheric dynamics could lead to volatile shifts in local weather patterns, making it challenging for communities especially farmers to adjust and plan for changes effectively.

“Geoengineering projects are often global or national in scale, and decision-making processes may not adequately involve or consider the perspectives and concerns of local communities, which is a process that undermines social equity and justice, potentially exacerbating existing social and economic inequalities.”

News

Moment Chief Defense Staff Hosts Prince Harry, Meghan Markle In Reception [VIDEO/PHOTOS]

Published

1 hour ago

May 11, 2024

Editor

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended a reception hosted by the Chief of Defense Staff.

This was after they attended a volleyball game earlier in the day.

During the reception, which held at the Armed Forces Officers Mess & Suites in Abuja, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex received asho oke gifts from Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

The couple also danced with Dabiri-Erewa.

The purpose of the visit was to introduce the royal couple to Nigeria’s rich socio-cultural heritage and provide an opportunity for the Duchess of Sussex to explore her Nigerian lineage.

News

JUST IN: Again, Aircraft Skids Off Runway At Lagos Airport

Published

8 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Editor

Photo: file copy

Barely 16 days after Dana Air was shut down by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authorities, another aircraft belonging to XEJET Airlines also skidded off the runway and landed in the grass at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Saturday.

Following this development, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has shut the 18/Left runway of the airport

The Airbus with registration 5N-BZZ with 52 passengers on board departed Abuja and landed in Lagos at 11.29 am.

Just last month, Dana MD-82 aircraft was involved in a skidding off of the runway, necessitating the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to order the suspension of the carrier for a comprehensive auditing.

Last year, in November, two aircraft from two different airlines skidded off the runway, in one week.

Aero Contractors, flight NG 119 with a registered Boeing 737 aircraft 5N-BYQ from Lagos to Abuja had a total of 133 passengers on board.

All passengers were safely evacuated through a controlled disembarkation.

The temporary closure of the runway by FAAN limits the airport to one single runway which is expected to lead to aircraft delays and landing.

The spokesperson of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Bimbo Olajide, confirmed that an aircraft belonging to Xejet Airlines skidded off the runway of the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport on Saturday.

She stated that a team had been deployed to the site of the incident.

“Our teams are there and on top of the matter. But whether or not the runway will be reopened today, i cannot immediately answer questions on that.” NSIB spokesperson told PUNCH Online.

News

Ededuna Obaseki’s Descendants Congratulate King Charles On Coronation Anniversary

Published

10 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Editor

The entire direct descendants of World War II Veteran and a recipient of World War II Medals of Honour, Capt. Ededuna Walter Obaseki, has congratulated His Majesty King Charles III on his first coronation anniversary.

A congratulatory message signed by Mercy Ededuna Obaseki on behalf of The descendants, and made available to INFO DAILY prayed God to bless the King with long life, honour, and good health.

“We wish His Majesty good health so that he can effectively pilot the affairs of The United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland and The Realms of The Commonwealth,” the message added.

The descendants, while thanking the British government for preserving the records of their late father, urged the King of the Great Britain to “start soon, the Colonial Legacy review in Nigeria because it is so important to us.”

While approaching efforts being made by His Majesty to review Colonial Legacies, the descendants said in hearing the King’s move to review it, “our Joy knew no bounds, and this feeling of great Joy increased more abundantly when we saw that indeed he was already doing this.”

“We watched with great happiness and excitement, The King presenting replacement World War II Medals in Kenya to the Veterans of The Second World War.

“We hope the King will also take action soon in actualising and fulfilling our dreams that both the British and the Nigerian government meet our demands that our father’s entitlements and work benefits be paid to we his direct descendants. It is also our prayer that the King empowers and supports us in our quests and in the present circumstances that we are in right now, your quick help is highly solicited.

“Our father Ededuna Walter Obaseki was a captain of the British Merchant Navy, a World War II Veteran and a recipient of The World War II Campaigns and Gallantry Medals of Honour. The 1939-1945; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; British War Medals were
Awarded to our father Ededuna Walter Obaseki and other officers and Seamen of the British Merchant Navy by HRM King George VI.

“Obaseki was a pioneer industrialist, governor, prime minister and head of government, and he handled the British administration in Southern Nigeria that brought great success to Nigeria in many areas like modern agriculture, education, healthcare, and maritime Shipping. The forming, shaping and developing of the navies during the time of the boom that both countries enjoyed and its citizens can still speak well of in sheer glories of remarkable advancement today.

“We are aware of some attempts by the Federal Government of Nigeria particularly in 2014 to help bring out and make known, the legacies of those that played active and very important roles in making this country Nigeria to be great, especially the Merchant Navy Officers who were the first ambassadors, head of administration and head of the British Board of Trade that brought about very positive growth and boom in Nigeria through the exports of timber, rubber, cocoa and palm produce, etc.

“We also want the distinguished senators and honourable members of the House of Representatives of Nigeria to grant our request that our father’s entitlements and work benefits for service in Nigeria to be paid to us by the Nigerian government. We need them (The Law Makers) to use their voice to also make our demands from The British Government.”