Young People, Climate Change and the Nigerian 2011 Elections

Today’s youth and future generations will inherit the climate system in whichever way governments decide to leave it.

Climate change refers to a change in climate that is attributable directly or indirectly to human activities, that affects the atmospheric conditions of the earth leading to global warming. And it gets worse: Climate change has the potential to affect all natural systems thereby becoming a threat to human development and survival socially, politically and economically. Climate change will have a negative impact on poor countries who, ironically, have contributed least to the problem. Climate change presents significant threats to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals especially those related to eliminating poverty and hunger and promoting environmental sustainability.

The Question now is: what does the Nigerian 2011 Elections got to do with Young People and Climate Change?

According to a report published by the Federal Ministry of Environment, in the last 15 years the population of Nigeria grew from 89 Million to 140 million people, with an area of 923.000 square kilometers. 33.6% of the total population of Nigeria are young people between the ages of 10-24 years. Estimates show that by 2025, the number of Nigerian young people would have exceeded 57 million..

Jennifer Ehidiamen, a young journalist from Lagos reported that young people played active role in the just conculded elections accross Nigeria stating that " Nigeria re-elected its president this month, and young people – who make up 70 percent of the population here – played an important role. Thanks to online platforms and social media, young people became “informal election observers” to ensure a free and fair process. Jennifer reported that Esther Eshiet, 24, a social worker in southern Nigeria, used social media programs such as Facebook and Twitter to report on what transpired at during election in her polling units and learned about what happened at polling units across the country during the presidential and parliamentary elections this month. She also said that the new information and communication technologies, ICTs, not only encouraged young people to participate but also helped to preserve the integrity of the elections.

This very opportunity can also be use to get more young people in Nigeria actively involved in environmental governance . Young people in Nigeria should be supported to use these ICT tools to inform and educate their peers on climate change and other evironmental issues happening in their local communities and arround the world. for instance on January 4th 2011, Young people used Twitter to e-organised a Live Tweet-Chat that attracted over 70 participants from 11 countries to discuss on the theme "Youth and Climate Change in Nigeria" #ccnigeria. first of it kind in Nigeria.

The elections activities itself had great impact on the enivironment. It has been reported that Two hundred million ballot papers and result sheets were ordered from abroad for each of the Nigerian elections. These actions has resulted to deep carbon footprint of massive proportions. Carbon footprint is the totality of greenhouse gas emissions caused by anorganization, event, product or person. Imagine the how much trees were cut to produce wood pulp, how much chemicals like chlorine were used. Has INEC disposed its waste products in an environmentally friendly manner? Will it by burining/incineration? which will result in carbon emissions,

The best alternative is recycling. In the absense of a recycling culture withnin the Nigerian society, young people can be encouraged to engage in low carbon paper recycling of these used ballot papers to produce finished product like greeting cards and picture frame thereby providing entrepreneurship opportunity for young people and creating employment. For Instance, in September of 2010, a Low carbon Paper Recycling Workshop was organised for 30 Youths in Abuja funded by Dekeyser&Friends Foundation and organised by EarthRISE Foundation and Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition under the "Awareness to Action project" .Recycling means processing used materials (waste) into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution (from incineration) and water pollution (from landfilling) by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse gas emissions as compared to virgin production

Nigeria is yet to sign the Climate Change Bill passed in the National Assembly even though it is a signatory to three related multilateral environmental agreements: the Kyoto Protocol and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC; the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, POPs; and the Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD and many young people are not still fully aware climate change issues or not interested to dicusses biodiversity conservation issues in Nigeria.

It is time that young people in Nigeria recognize that climate change will undermine current efforts to poverty eradication and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, so that it raises serious questions of climate justice and equity. We must recognise that a gender sensitve strategy is a precondition to the rising challenges of sustainable development coupled with an agrresive implementation strategy that proirities the role of young people as stakeholders in the process.

Young people must note with concern the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change presented in its 4th Assessment Report, that climate change may affect most strongly the poorest regions and people, especially women, young people and children through impacts on agriculture, food security and availability of water, which are traditionally women’s tasks in many developing countries like Nigeria.

As the world will gather in Duban, South African come December for the UN Climate Change Conference, the newly elected president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has a number of important tasks to fulfill: The signing of the Climate Chnage Bill, The diversification of the economy, the independence of fossil fuels (in this case independence of selling fuels), Clean Enegry for Power supply ,revitalization of the stagnant agriculture, The participation of young people in Governance and National Security.

Engaging young people in actions to address climate change is a critical element to any nation’s strategy. Young people are also a key point of influence for other segments of society (e.g., families and communities). If citizens come to understand what the risks of climate change are and how they can play a role in reducing the impact of climate change, they can become an integral part of the solution. Youth are an important source of creativity, enthusiasm and drive for any actions to address climate change.

Written by Esther Agbarakwe, Esther Eshiet and Taiwo Oyelakin and was first publish at NYCC's blog

http://www.nigycc.org/

Celebrating International Women’s Day & Improving Maternal Health in Nigeria

Last week I had the rare opportunity of co-hosting a dinner to celebrate women as part of the Global Dinner Party to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. The dinner was organized by the Nigeria Health Campaign of the White Ribbon Alliance in Nigeria in partnership with Save the Children Nigeria. Our focus was to enlighten the media about commitments made by Nigeria’s government in support of the UN Secretary General’s Global Strategy for Women's and Children’s Health.

 

At the event, we shared copies of the Atlas of Birth flyer that highlights the commitments that were made, and we also called on everyone to support the National Health Bill. The film "Tracking Commitments for Child Health" from Save the Children was also presented at the meeting. At the end we all agreed to the following:

1.Strengthen the existing Network of Health Correspondents through capacity building on maternal, newborn and child health reporting

2.Work together in a collaborative manner by recognizing media as a partner for development

3.Strengthen advocacy to National and State Houses of Assembly

4.Embark on advocacy visits to heads of media organizations to address identified bottlenecks for the health correspondents

In attendance were: the Country Representative of UNFPA, Dr. Agathe Lawson; The British High Commissioner to Nigeria represented by the DFID Country Advisor, Jane Miller; Secretary of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lucy Chindaba; President of International Federation of Women Lawyers, Ezinwa Okoroafor; USAID MNCH Program Manager, Dr. Folake Olayinka, and representatives of over 20 media houses.

There was excitement on the faces of all the participants as Save the Children presented the EVERYONE cake dedicated to the women of the world. Being one of the Women Deliver 100 Young Leaders and also a program assistant at the WRA Nigeria Office, I was invited to co-host the dinner to celebrate WOMEN. I used the opportunity to call for more involvement of young people in maternal health advocacy especially young women in Nigeria, and the signing of the Nigerian Health Bill to safe guard the future of young women in Nigeria.  I am very proud to be a woman, a Women Deliver 100 Young Leader, and a Nigerian.

Esther, in action, at the Women Deliver 2010 youth pre-conference below:

Women Deliver is a global advocacy organization bringing together voices from around the world to call for action against maternal death.

In a Nutshell, This is who I am

Siping a cup of Kenyan black tea I remember growing up with a dream of being one of Nigerian's Young Champion for sustainable development, a dream that  has pushed me to learn from others, get inspired and involved. Now I feel it time to give back.  I have spent over 15 years learning and contributing to solutions to development issues (mostly as a volunteer), from Child rights to adolescent and youth sexuality issues, from Poverty,Gender issues to Climate change and Biodiversity Conservation,  and yes, Global environmenatl governance has been part of it as well

2010 was a year I call, "year of Inspiration'. a year of sharing experience and get more young people inspired to become development actors in the communities. Using social media networks to communicate to urban youth and travelling north and south to meet with  rural youth on various projects on climate change and biodiversity education and awareness programmes has been the high point of 2010 year of development activism.

So what did I do in 2010? Here are a few..

1. Managed the Engaging Naija youth in Climate Change Project funded by Building Nigeria's Response to Climate Change (BNRCC)

2. Invited as a Resource person by UNFPA to the National Consultative Forum on Young People Health and Development, Abuja, Speaking on "Fostering Youth Leadership and Paticipation in Decision Making"

3. Selected as one of Women Deliver 100 Young Leaders to participate at the 2nd Global Women    Deliver Conference at the Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC

4. Speaker at the Earth Charter +10 Anniversary event at the Peace Palace in Hague, Netherland . The  Earth Charter Initiative, is a diverse global network of people and institutions that promote values and the principle of sustainable development

5. Invited to join UNICEF delegation to the Seventh African Development Forum, (ADFVII) as one African youth Delegate, also had the rare opportunity of addressing the opening session, delivering the "Message from the Youth" on behalf of African Youth. The African Development Forum is an initiative led by the UN Economic Commission for Africa to establish an African-driven development agenda

6. Winner of 7th Annual LEAP Africa Nigerian Youth Leadership Award 2010

7. Selected as a Commonwealth Youth Climate Fellow during the Commonwealth Youth Climate Fellowship Programme in London in Nov, 2010, joined by a Fellow Young Nigerian Climate advocate, Taiwo Oyelakin

8. Selected as one of the 25 students/Learner at the 2010 World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE2010) in Doha, Qatar

7. Written many Articles on Youth, Climate change and Development while built sustainable relaltionships.

...But we are now in 2011..so what been happening??

Please check back another time for  more updates, I am still who I am. giving back and sharing this wealth of Experience among Nigeria's greatest asset, The Youth.

before you leave, here a link to an interview I granted with Bella Naija earlier this year. Happy reading :

http://www.bellanaija.com/2011/02/28/meet-the-young-woman-passionately-spreading-the-word-on-climate-change-in-nigeria-environmental-sustainability-advocate-esther-agbarakwe/

Learning Together: WISE 2010

Learning Together.

Today as we began the second day at the Learners' Voice programme with a visit to Qatar's Education City. The meeting with Dr Danny Robert , Assistance VP, Faculty and Student Services was revealing and though-challenging. It was a meeting that not only inspired me but challenges me and   one idea keep hitting my heart, Bam Bam!!!  and it to Find a where to collaborate and create opportunity for learning together, learning that transcends boarders, that inspires and create a growing need for innovation among personal learners in a learning community

According to Wikipedia, A learning community is a group of people who share common values and beliefs, are actively engaged in learning together from each other. Such communities have become the template for a cohort-based, interdisciplinary approach to higher education.

Learning together with a vision for action can lead to a better world. During the brainstorming for a vision for the future of the Learners' Voice, Indee thotawattage from Sri Lanka said “Todays Local personal Learners, Tomorrow’s global interconnected world" a statement I believe expresses the connectedness between learners which I couldn’t agree more. \

So I raised a question on my facebook wall, asking undergrad and Post grad student to comment on how the learn and if connecting with a fellow student in a different culture/country help them learn better. The comments I received indicated interest for peer learning exchange. The reason being that some Student are privileged to have access to all the better learning environment with support from family and communities while other are not so fortunate. To bridge the gap student can get inspiration through connecting with other student who are studying similar course in another county/community and learn mostly through online technology.

Vinny from New Zealand said today that We should explore the advantage of peer pressure where learning becomes personal/connecting and learners can peer review themselves as sometime we have situation of “Knowledge Vs Skills”

So for me, as we explore the theme of New ways of Learning, my individual aim well be to explore the opportunity of creating a platform for action where Student in Nigeria can connect and collaborating with students from Qatar, Romania and Korea to become better learners and share global best practices

Learners’ success in developing high levels of skills, knowledge and understanding depends upon them experiencing effective and engaging learning and teaching.

..Second World Innovative Summit for Education (WISE2010)

NYCC WINS LEAP AFRICA AWARDS 2010

Meet the 2010 Winners of the LEAP Africa Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards!
Curred from CP-Africa

Its 2010 Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards at the Muson Center, Lagos. Sponsored by the Ford Foundation, the event was well attended with Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola and Former EFCC Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu serving as the event’s key note speakers. At this year’s event, five young Nigerians were recognized for implementing “social change projects with significant impact” in their local communities. Get inspired! Read all about the change projects of this year’s winners below!

Esther Agbarakwe, Age 26

Initiative: Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC)

 

Esther Kelechi Agbarakwe is a graduate of Chemistry from the University of Calabar whose passion for environmental sustainability inspired her to initiate Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC). NYCC is made up of a group of young Nigerians who are providing solutions to the climate change crisis. Acting locally and internationally, they combine forces to organize programmes, influence government and implement concrete solutions. NYCC works in schools and communities across Nigeria, empowering young people to create solutions for climate change. As a result, the initiative provides a robust platform where youth led organizations working on sustainable environmental issues interact and learn from each other. This strengthens their coordination and gives them a united voice to address climate change issues, as it affects the socio-economic growth and development of Nigeria.

In an effort to empower youth, NYCC held an “Awareness to Action” programme in partnership with similar organizations to train 40 youth between the ages of 18 and25 years on the process of recycling paper. At the end of the training, 10 beneficiaries received Paper recycling equipment to recycle paper for production of paper products including greeting cards and picture frames.

Through NYCC Esther has educated over one thousand five hundred (1500) youth through peer group training and online social networks on climate change issues. NYCC is currently collaborating with Building Nigeria’s Response to Climate Change (BNRCC) to implement a Climate Change Youth Communication Project to increase its reach to more Nigerian youth. Esther was recently selected as the Nigerian representative for the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Commission on Education and Communication In addition, she represented Nigeria at United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Seventh African Development Forum (ADVII) and Young Commonwealth  Climate Change  Fellowship 2010. Esther is a 2009 Dekeyser & Friends Foundation Fellow. She also belongs to several environmental and youth organizations.

The five winners will receive the sum of N100,000 apiece to support their works in local communities. Ms Layode, Excutive director of LEAP Africa revealed that the awardees would receive the cash prize “after they have submitted their proposals on the projects they want to carry out,” adding the organisation “will continue to reward excellence wherever it is found.” The LEAP Africa award was launched in 2004. The award is supported with funding from the Ford Foundation.

For more information on Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC), please contact Esther at esther.agbarakwe@youthclimate.org.uk; donestyc@gmail.com 


please visit www.nigycc.org for more infor about NYCC
 

 

http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/11/22/cpa-awards-meet-2010-winners-nigerian-youth-leadership-awards/ 

 

Commonwealth youth speak out on Climate Change

Written by Commonwealth Secretariat, London
17 November 2010

Activists from six Commonwealth countries meet to develop toolkit for advocacy

A coalition of young climate change activists are meeting in London this week to develop a toolkit for young Commonwealth citizens to engage in climate change education and advocacy.

The event follows last year’s successful launch of the Young Climate Change Initiative Network to build the capacity of young activists across the Commonwealth.

‘People under 30 are extremely concerned about the impact of climate change in their countries. It is their future at stake, but there is broad consensus that young people’s voices are not being heard on this issue,’ says Layne Robinson, Programme Officer at the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The YCCI brings together young people with expertise on climate change issues in their countries and regions. The aim of this initiative is for them to share experiences and produce a practical learning resource for other young people.
It will provide guidance on key resources and networks and will include se
ctions on issues relevant to climate change, such as gender, food security, water, sanitation and human rights.

Young activists from India, Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago and Nigeria yesterday gave their views on climate change:

‘Climate change is very important. The evidence is that young people will inherit the climate system which the government decides to leave. Young people have the skills and knowledge. If only they are given the opportunity.’ – Taiwo Oyelakin (Nigeria).

‘Climate change is an immediate threat. It is not a future phenomenon for which we need to be thinking about and preparing for. It is here and now. And it is here and now that we must make this our important priority, globally.’ – Alicia Crawford (Australia).

‘We are not fighting the climate, not saving the planet. We are battling our own survival. Let’s wake up to the consistent signals of nature and work together for our future. Climate change is real.’ – Rishab Khanna (India)

‘Climate change is a global phenomenon. The enormity of the effects will only be fully experienced in a few years from now. As a people, we owe it to ourselves to take action now. Change the way we consume, the treatment of our ecosystems, our impacts on the environment and as such, our livelihoods. This way, we can combat the effects on our future.’ – Nolana E Lynch (Trinidad and Tobago)

‘We all know climate change is about human survival and human prosperity. But it’s about human rights, too. So as young people, let’s start by fighting for our right to a better climate. We need practical actions, not words. We call on world leaders to take responsibility now and think about our climate rights as a global agenda for all.’ – Messeh Kamara (Sierra Leone).

‘When you believe in doing something for climate change, just do it and don’t expect the outcomes of it and the best outcome will come to you’ – Y.Komalirani (India)
‘For a future tomorrow, let us preserve our environment today.’ – Garvin Perry, (Trinidad and Tobago).

‘It’s our time, our future. Keep the planet safe. Stop climate change.’ – Esther Agbarakwe (Nigeria).

‘Young people are the world’s largest untapped resource. We have the ideas, energy, and commitment to justice that will solve climate change.’ – Casper ter Kuile (United Kingdom).

‘Our generation is already suffering from the impacts of the on-going financial crisis. Let’s not allow an ecological crisis to get to the same point.’ – Sarah-Jane Saska, (Canada).

‘We are here. We are the young generation. We are strong. We are a voice. Speak through us and we can carry the voice. Climate change. A change for your people and the young generation. Think climate.’ – Timothy Sam (Sierra Leone).

http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/231857/171110youthclimatechange.htm

Reports on Earth Charter +10 Event

I attended the Earth Charter's 10th anniversary event at the Peace Palace, the Hague from June 27th to 29th, 2010. The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental ethical principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful global society in the 21st century. It seeks to inspire in all people a new sense of global interdependence and shared responsibility for the well-being of the whole human family, the greater community of life, and future generations. It is a vision of hope and a call to action.

The event brought together people from all sectors and parts of the world to engage in dialogue, to collaborate and reflect on 10 years of the Earth Charter and the future steps towards a sustainable future.
Over 200 participants attended this event, including EC Commissioners, Affiliates, members of the International Council, youth leaders and many partners. The event had the honour of having the participation of Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands and Prime Minister Balkenende. In his address, the Prime Minister said that "the art can change your life and that he would never forget the music he heard here today", and he compared the EC movement with a tree that has been growing, although not as much (and fast) as it should, but he hopes it will continue to grow until its leaves cover the whole world.

This was a wonderful occasion for participants to learn from each other and get extra portion of inspiration. A special feature was to have Minister of Culture and Youth of Costa Rica, Manuel Obregon, play parts of his concert "Symbiosis" and also to have a "Concert of the plants" led by Macaco Tamerice. The event was convened by Ruud Lubbers and was organized by NCDO in cooperation with the ECI Secretariat.
I was invited to speak at the Earth Charter Session on UN, Global Governance and Climate Change with speaker like Yolanda Kababadse, former IUCN chair and WWF president.

It was an inspiring event for me and I got home with a backpack full of knowledge and inspiration to engage for a peaceful and sustainable future in Nigeria.

Through the Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC), I am currently planing to hold a Youth Dialogue on Climate change tagged: 'Our Year, Our Voice' to prepare for COP16 and to celebrate the International Year of Youth, which runs August 2010-2011.

Esther Agbarakwe
IUCN CEC- Nigeria