Passion for Youth and Sustainabilty : Making right choices

Life and WORK

Life comes with it mysteries. when things happens, it just do. then suddenly 3 or more years has just passed and you begin to wonder what you had done in those years that can be describe as a "footprint".

I am very inspired by young people especially young people of Nigeria. Why? because there are the most sustainable resource a nation can have, and yet, they suffer a lot not because they want to, rather because they do not have the enabling environment to grow, express themselves and follow their dreams just like thier peers in Europe, America and some Africa countries.

Resigning from my old job was a challenging decision to make, after working for 3 month as a programme officer facilitating  Climate Change related research and activity. It time for me to go. off course there were many other issues that faciliated my decision  to quit! The Nigerian Youth Climate Movement needs tasolid foundation to engage in and participate fully in Climate change issues in Nigeria. After what happen in Copenhagen (very proud to have been a part of the global Youth Movement), the momentum was building around the world. Every facet of life were getting connected to the climate change issues and the outcome of the meeting in Bella center. Did this happened in Nigeria? where more young people getting involved and taking action on climate change?

NYCC:

Well, Let me answere the question. relatively yes.The Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC) which I founded and co-directing, inspired by what happen in Copenahegen, was appraoched by Building Nigerian's Response to Climate Change (BNRCC) project to implement an 8th-month (April to Nov. 2010) Climate Change Youth Communication Project titled Engaging Niaja Youth in Climate Change Project. This is the major reason I resigned to help in building the Nigerian Youth Climate Movement. The broad objectives of the project are to provide young people with credible messages and access to further information on climate change and what they can do about it, with opportunities to make a difference, and with recognition and rewards for their work towards emissions reduction and adaption. Within the context of the BNRCC project, NYCC seek to mobilized, sensitized and build the capacity of 2000 youths as young climate Champions between the ages of 12 and 25 in Delta, Imo and Ondo states.  When completed, the project will provide Identified platforms to promote access to information on vulnerabilities, impacts and adaptation to climate change.

We will also be organising a Youth Media Dialogue on Climate Change on August 31st 2010. Bring two big forces together. Youth and Media to create a part for effective intergenerational Partnership and paradigm shift. The event will

Commonwealth Youth Climate Initaitve

I have aslo been busy. as a Commonwealth Youth Climate Initaive focal point for Nigeria, I was invited by the Commonwealth Youth Program(CYP) Office in Africa to help faciliate a Climate Change Session  during their African Regional Youth Caucus(RYC) meeting held in Abuja, March 2010. The objectives of the RYC Meeting are to provide an opportunity for young people to contribute to CYP’s policy and programme directions as well as use the opportunity to build capacity of young people in leadership and advocacy skills in key development to facilitate young people’s effective contribution to community and national development. One of the development areas that the RYC Meeting intends to focus on is Climate Change. The aim of the session is identify practical elements from Meeting communique/recommendations that young people can undertake as youth leaders to heighten advocacy and actions to address climate change issues at community/national levels.

UNFPA National Consulative Forum on young People:

UNFPA has always been on the forefront of promoting adolescent and young people health and development at all levels of development. Recently they collaborated with the Federal Ministries of Youth and Health to organise a National Consulative Forum for Advancing Young People's Health and Development in Abuja with the Theme: "Healthy Young People, Nigeria's Greatest Assest"  The broad objective was to create an action Plan for Advancing Young People Health and Development in Nigeria looking with active partciciption of young people. I was invited by UNFPA to present a Paper on "Fostering Youth Leadership and Partcipation in Decision Making"  During the Leadrship Session with some State Commissioners for  youth in attendance. My personal outcome of the meeting was inspiring the creation of "Youth For Action" Gorup which is aimed at faciliating further communiation among young people with constant and active youth enagagment in the implementation of the adopted Action Plan and the "Abuja Declaration".

2010Women  Deliver Conference .

My self and many peers arroud the world will be joining women activists, Media Celebrities like Christane Amanpour, Actoresses, UN system representatives and Men at the 2010 Women Deliver Conference in Washington from June 7th -9th 2010. holding  at the Walter E Washington DC Convention Center.

Women Deliver 2010, a global conference, will be held in Washington DC on June 7-9, 2010. The theme of the conference is: "Delivering solutions for girls and women," and we plan to focus on political, economic, social/cultural, and technological solutions. This global meeting will expand on Women Deliver's hallmark of inclusivity, reaching out to new partners and new communities. With all these partners in one room, we will further prove that maternal and reproductive health is a global priority. Women Deliver 2010 will move the dialogue to the global arena with two strong messages:

• The MDGs will not be achieved without investing in women.
• There is just enough time, if the world commits funding now, to achieve MDG5 — additional US$10 billion annually by 2010 and US$20 billion by 2015.

Personally, am heading to DC to understand fully the connection between Sexuality(women) and Sustainability(climate change). Although  UNFPA State of the World Population 2009 has already higlighted the connection. I need to hear personal stories and make connection.

Project A2A:

Last Year I spent 3 month in Schilersee, Bavaria Germany on a Youth interchange Fellowship Program designed to help young people recognize their strength and ability in order to follow their dreams organized by Dekeyer&Friends Foundation. at the end of the program, my dream plan was accepted for funding support. My dream is to see young Nigerians live sustainable lifystyle while engaging in local serivce project to protect the environment. Project A2A was launched on June 1st 2010 via  Making Dreams come True!!

Until we met again..My flight is waiting!!!

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Women and Climate Change in Nigeria

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Climate change policies must consider gender issues and women's involvement for the advancement of world development. Knowledge of climate change’s irrevocable damage is becoming more common and widely shared. In spite of this many of us are still stuck perceiving climate change as an environmental issue, distancing ourselves from the fact that we are completely dependent on the environment. Just like any other species, our survival is jeopardized by environmental degradation. It’s time to see climate change as what it essentially is, to us – a human issue. More than that, a human rights issue.

As the damage and depletion of the planet accelerates dangerously, the distinctly gendered repercussions of climate change are coming to the fore. Beyond the impact on all human beings, climate change is distinctly linked to women’s rights and gender justice, and is an urgent global issue that needs to be framed with attention to gender, due to its exacerbation of pre-existing inequalities.

As an Oxfam publication points out, “Climate change is not happening in a vacuum, but rather in the context of other risks, including economic liberalization, globalization, conflict, unpredictable government policies, and risks to health.” Although climate change reflects great injustices for both women and men, posing an increased threat to those suffering from poverty in developing nations – those who have ironically contributed the least to greenhouse gas emissions – 70 per cent of the 1.3 billion people living in extreme poverty around the world are female, according to Oxfam.

In Nigeria recently, I was involved in Building Nigerian Response to Climate Change (BRNCC)  project on "Assessmnet of Gender knowlegdge and Awareness, vulnerability and adaption strategies to impacts of climate change in Northern Nigeria" by Women Environmental Programme (WEP). I traveled to Kebbi state in North Western Nigeria on a field work based on the projecta and I got first-hand information on climate change vulnerability and impact on Women folks.  A male-dominated society like Nigeria, women also do most of the agricultural work, and are therefore affected by weather-related natural disasters impacting on food, energy and water.

From work in both drought prone and flood prone regions of Nigeria one of the consequences of climate variability one observes is the out migration of most of the able bodied male members.  The issue of climate refugees has been discussed at various levels but empirical data on its nature, social and gender impacts is perhaps inadequate.  

While we have been talking about the feminization of agriculture for some years, increased climate variability appears to be contributing to its pace and intensity.  This has implications on food productivity, land use policies, extension approaches, farm investments, our approach to farm mechanization etc.  As an example, small power tillers powered by bio diesel have been tried out in Kano and women find them very useful.  The reality is that now it is largely women who do agriculture and the approach of `Women extension workers’ as an adjunct to a male dominated service needs to be completely reviewed. 

Unfortunately women find a very small space in climate negotiations. Even when they are in such forum they get a 5 minute space to add some `colour and diversity’.  The serious business of negotiations and financing CC Adaptation & Mitigation is still the premise of hard nosed business men.

 Cycle of deprivation??

As a social development issue, climate change is pertinent to women’s equality.Our collective interaction with the environment affects every aspect of our existence as humans, so it’s crucial to explore how gender equality will be factored into the discussion as we move forward. The current climate crisis reflects issues of women’s disadvantage, such as access to resources and domestic responsibilities, and underscores the need for the inclusion of gender-based analysis in environmental problem solving and policy development.

We’re endangering our very survival by failing to curb limitless economic development, industrial expansion, insatiable use of resources, and the effects of global warming.

This estrangement from nature that allows humans to feel impervious is especially true of those of us who are far removed, in terms of geography and wealth, from the immediate consequences of global warming.

Climate change is no longer debatable; it is an undeniable fact. The time for governments and the international community to act is now

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Missed the Nigerian Youth Post-COP workshop? Here’s what happened

Reiz Continetal Hall Abuja saw a lot of young climate activists last Tuesday (Feb. 16th 2010). With a lot of new faces this time, the curiosity and the level of participation were unmatched. After everybody had their cup of hot tea/coffee basking in the sun outside, all of the 50 or so participants patiently waited while the organizers fixed little technicalities. By now, I, for one, have accepted that where there’s a projector involved, some tech hiccups occur sometimes,

Iregbu, NigerianCAN Youth Coordinator welcome participant as he was asisted by Silva Akuto(a.k.a Slim) to facilitate the workshop, He called on Nkiru Nnaemgo to present a "Reveiw of Pre-COP Youth Position" Nkiru's Presentation was fun as fun for us to watch as it probably was for people who campaigned for total youth involvemnet at COP15, it aslo reminded us on the Youth positions on NAPA. and the from setting up a "Youth Desk" at the Special Climate Change Unit of the FME to the establishment of a "Petroleum Future Fund" for susttainable development-we did it all! Because we wanted to send delegations off to COP15 with the strongest possible message that people from every corner of Nigeria, to the cities, the lanes, the desert– is telling them to cut a deal that meets the science. The well received media coverage is representative of just that – we were successful in making our voices heard, out loud.

But it’s a pity that the Copenhagen Accord didn’t even ‘take note of’ the time and the energy that we the Nigerian Youth – not just the Nigeria youth, but youth from around the globe – spent putting pressure on policymakers and delegates in preparation for and during the conference itself. Yes, the Nigerian Youth Movement also reached the eyes and ears of people at Bella Center too and Esther Agbarakwe and Onochie Anwara elaborated more on the actions that took place during the actual conference. Involvement in the various YOUNGO groups, AYICC and Global South meeting as well as the Interntaional Youth Press Conference. we, indeed, made our presence felt. For which, I do think we should receive a pat on the back. We have already gained momentum, guys.

Onochie Anwara went further to analysis the challenges we faced inspite of the progress, such as lack of indepth knowledge of climate changes issues and inter-govt negocaiations and the need to begin an "aggresive capacity building for the Youth movemnet in Nigeria to meet up with it peers in world

This was followed by Nkiru's very technical presentation (may have been for the new faces, I am assuming) on ‘Overview of COP15 and its outcome Copenhagen Accord’. I must say, it was quite detailed and structured, covering almost all the A-to-Z of COPs, it included everything starting from COP1 to COP15, AWG-KP and AWG-LCA, and the Pro’s and Con’s of Copenhagen Accord. If you want to know what exactly went about during the 17 years of snail –paced negotiations, you can just go through his 10 minutes long presentation, and you’ll know just about everything there is to know. So much for the 17 years.

This was followed by a disscusion session on the Implication of the Copenhagen Accord on Nigerian Youth Position. It was noted that the accord did not even include 'youth' in it statement..or maybe we are included among the 'vulnurable' people.

At this point, Dr Fodeke, the Head Special Climate Unit of FME arrived and was welcomed by the partcipant as such he was given an opportunity to present as adress as he was the Rep of the Honourable Minister. He said that the Minister of Environment, Mr John Odey is very committed to Youth development and involvemnet in the climate Change issues as it is our Future that is as stake, He promised to have a page on the SCCU Wepsite for Youths..this was applaued . young people need to take the opportunity on green Jobs and creat a safe future he said..He acknoweldged Esther's role in leading the Nigerian Youth at COP15 and said that this is the kind of leadership that we need....

And for me personally, the post-COP workshop was very informative and fruitful, I’d say, because it made me rethink about the whole climate change negotiation dynamics. I finally got the bigger picture: Reputable scientists and governments no longer question the existence of climate change and its consequences. Its effects around the globe are already too obvious. In the face of so much agreement, why is the leap from understanding to taking action so difficult? Is it because the countries have failed to pursue the mitigation of their CO2 output with enough vigour since Kyoto? Is it because climate change became apparent just when the countries of the global south saw their first glimmer of hope of escaping poverty? Negotiating positions changes until every country is left on its own, the rift between developed, emerging and developing countries widens and people still think World Bank can protect the climate. Where are we heading?

"I represent Nigeria"..Youth Participation and looking at retirement at 25yrs!

Intro: This is true story of what inspires me Youth Participation..I so do feel happy when I read international Youth reports where young Nigerian youth participated in and the word "NIGERIA" mentioned in the report.

I was 10 years old, when I began "activisting" on issues of children Rights. then in in the old town of Calabar, where I was raised, infact I was still in Primary school then. My Dad was the Chairman of then PTA and that too help me to live up to the expection of who my dad was..Well not untill the 27th of May 1995 that I was ask to participate at the Children Day Celebration at the Government House Calabar with the Wife of the then Millitary Admistration, Mrs Gloria Oboneni(I hope I got that right)..that I began active participation. I was 10.



Now did I stoped there? NO! I realised a calling for me in youth work that when I got into Secondry school (high school to my American peeps) I was very active. The school itself so my interest and dedication, thus they sent me to various adolescents workshops and symposia on adolescent sexuality, education and career.

Another thing I got from my Mom is giving back, so I started a Health Club in my school know as WAPI Health club, was inspired me to becomes the Senior Girls Prefect..ofcource I had mentors both in the school and outside, which greatly help me.

My Univerisiy days was even more interesting as I became more knowlegeable on issues on adolescent and youth sexuality, and leadership building as I volunteered for Nigerian Youth aid Programme(NYAP),Univeristy of Calabar, as a youth counselor and activist. Well It was not easy combining acedemic studies and activsism and peer-education, but as inpsired and determines as I was, I just did it! Thank God my parent suppoted me...Natiional Youth Service Corp Scheme provides an opportunity for young graduates to contribute to national Development, I took that opportunity as I served my Country and help over 35 adolescent to gain leadership eskilles and experiences with the support of UNICEF.

15 years later, the struggle continues as the world face global challenges that demand innovatie sollutions to achieve sustianable development. I took my "Voice" to the UN, at a High Level Meeting on Sustainable Development(UNCSD) the 18th Session, demaning that Heads of Government Practice what they Preach and see young people as stakeholders who need to be integrally involved in the process to acheive sustianable development... Now being involved as an Active Global citizen on issues of sustianable development, I feel happy more so to see the fellow Nigerian Youth and my younger generation became inspired  and taking action in field of SD... I am 25yrs now! What I am leaving back for my next generation?

 NEXT GENERATION: Most time we some of the successful youths activities are carried away with the fame and populairty associated with our susccesses that we forget that there exist the "Next Generation" which need to be inspired and intergrally involved to carring on from where we may have stopped, There are many young people with amazing interest and dedication waiting to be guided and involved in youth activisim because they do no have the right direction. What can we do then? . 

Inspired with the  growth of the International Youth Climate Movement(IYCM) and what young people can do and are doing in India, Canada, Austrain and the UK, so why not Nigeria. With support of an amazing team of dedicated youths, Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC)was born on June 6th 2010 in Abuja, at the "Dialogue with the Elder Forum" on Inter-generational Partnership for Sustainabilty with the Financial support from Earth Charter International. Since then, Many young Nigerian have had their capacity enhanced on Climate Change and Youth participation. COP15 provided such an avenue to increased awareness on climate chnage and sustainble living. Now as a leading youth plateform on climate change in Nigeria, NYCC is poised to increase youth participation on Climate Change issues. As a Co-Director of NYCC, I am planing on handing over to the "Next Generation" in May 2010 just like what happend in UK Youth Climate Coalition. Who says that Youth can not retire and play advisory role at 25?

 

 NEXT LEVEL:  A new phase in my life just began. As I enhanced my professional career as an environmental activist, I got employed with Women Environmental Programme,(WEP), an NGO with UN Specail ECOSOC Status.as a program Officer working on Climate Change. WEP Women Environmental Programme (WEP), a non-governmental, non-profit, non-religious and voluntary organisation, was established in 1997 by a group of grassroots women in Nigeria. The major aim is to address the gender injustices on issues relating to environment, economic and social rights of women, children and youths in the society. WEP’s headquarters is situated in Abuja while its operational offices are in two geopolitical zones of Nigeria, namely: North Central and North East.

WEP is operating as an NGO under the Companies and Allied Matters Act by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The organisation is administered by a Board of Directors, while the management team run the administration. The Executive Director who is part of the management team serves as the operational head. WEP has United Nations special Economic and Social Council Status (UNECOSOC status). I am happy and feel fulfiled as this chapter in my life opens.

Copenhagen: What's Next?

I have just come back from Copenhagen COP15. While it was a thrill and privilege to participate, it also made evident how far we still have to go to meaningfully address climate change and resource degradation.

I was touched to see the buzz and interest of 40,000 participants engaging at the official conference, and of many more participating in side events and demonstrations. Most paid their own way to Copenhagen, showing incredible commitment to making this world work for all, now and later. There is tremendous public will to make a difference, beyond the 193 country delegations, and possibly over 130 heads of state.

But much about the Climate Talks was quiet puzzling as well:

Most delegations seem to be unaware of the link between climate change and resource constraints. Why would Europe propose to reduce emissions by X, and to reduce even more if everybody participates? If they fully realized resource constraints, and recognized that without a strong Copenhagen regime the world will get volatile more quickly, their proposition would look differently: They would suggest to reduce emissions by X, and if NOBODY participates, would propose to reduce European resource use even more to get Europe ready for a wild and rapidly resource-constrained future.

Informed negotiators would arrive to Copenhagen with the mind-frame of “we have a big incentive to make this deal work, because without the deal, we will have to work harder," rather than “I will not reduce if you don’t”. Perhaps these Climate Talks should not be called negotiations (which connote: “How much am I willing to give?”). A better name would reflect designing a new framework for cooperation (“How do we need to work with each other in order not to sink the planet?”). It was particularly stunning to see how addicted we still are to outdated terms like “developing and developed countries”. These terms embody the linear development that is not only becoming physically impossible, but is also the one that got us into the climate problem in the first place. What we need is green prosperity, or green development, that works with, rather than against the budget of nature.
But there were also quite a few achievements:

Many local initiatives – cities, pro-active businesses, regions - are already moving ahead even without global agreements.

REDD+ (United Nations' collaborative programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) represents a solid recognition, that land-use and biocapacity are keys to the global carbon cycle. Many solutions to climate change will come from carefully managing our use of ecosystem services.

Delegations showed their level of commitment, negotiating through the night and working tirelessly towards solutions – all encouraging signs that we are at a historical crossroads. Sustainability is certainly no longer a sideshow.Nigeria delegation were very smart, hardworking and well prepared, with a Delegtion Office with enough staff to asisit with anything, There is an information website on Nigerian Particoation at COP15:http://nigeriaatcopenhagen.com/contact_information.html.

Nigerian Youth were not left behind, The Government supported a few to particpate while other were sponsored by Development Agencies. As the leader of the Nigerian Youth Delegation, I was invited to particpate at the Official delegation meetings and side event were I made presentations.

We the Nigerian Youth at COP15, have liad down plans for Post-COP 15 activities starting in January 2010 with a Youth Summit and exhibition in Lagos in Feburary 2010

With growing interest in resource degradation and climate change, Nigerian Youth Climate Coaltion (NYCC) will play an even more significant role in 2010. We are both excited about this prospect, and immensely thankful. We are grateful to you, our partners, and for your ongoing trust and interest.

Lets not forget that we as individuals still have the ability to tackle climate change ourselves. We shouldn't get the politicians of the global north get away with it but we have a HUGE responsibility ourselves! Lets slow down, consume less and enjoy life in a sustainable way!

Esther Agbarakwe

Lagos, Nigeria

UN Climate Change Conference, COP 15: Failure or Success?

Copenhagen, Denmark - The UN climate talks in Copenhagen were inches away from total failure during the night and this morning were gripped by a last minute debate on the legally binding nature of an eventual agreement. It is clear, however, that the present ambition is far too weak to tackle dangerous climate change. 

Copenhagen was at the brink of failure due to poor leadership combined with an unconvincing level of ambition. Well meant but half - hearted pledges to protect our planet from dangerous climate change are simply not sufficient to address a crisis that calls for completely new ways of collaboration across rich and poor countries.


Politicians around the world seem to be in agreement we must stay below 2 degree C threshold of unacceptable risks of climate change-in theory.

However, practically what leaders have put on the table adds up to 3 degrees C of warming or more according to WWF estimates. Millions of lives, hundreds of billions of dollar and a wealth of lost opportunities lie in the difference between rhetoric and reality on climate change actions.

The draft Copenhagen Accord is a long way from developing into a legally binding framework for decisive action on climate change. We needed a treaty now and at best, we will be working on one in half a year's time, said Carstensen. what we have after two years of negotiation is a half backed text of unclear unclear substance. Noon of the political obstacles to effective climate actions have been solved with the possible exception of the beginnings of financial flows. 

The lack of clarity is illustrated by a call for a global peak in emissions as soon as possible, in contrast to the 2007 call of the IPCC for emissions to peak in 2017. Emission reductions pledges remain far lower than what is required, with a leaked analyst by the UNFCCC secretariat showing a shortfall that would lead to 3 degrees C of warming even without considering extensive loopholes. 
We are disappointed but the story continues, said Carstensen. Civil society was excluded from these final negotiations to an extraordinary degree, and that was felt during the concluding days in Copenhagen. 

Esther Agbarakwe
Copenhagen. Denmark.

Youth Climate Leaders Stand With Millions Demanding a Real Deal NOW

Youth address world leaders at high-level plenary at UN Climate Summit, demanding governments commit to bold targets to ensure survival and climate justice.

COPENHAGEN – With over 1000 youth leaders from more than 100 countries gathered in Copenhagen, the International Youth Climate Movement at the UN Climate Summit today sent a powerful message to the assembled world leaders that governments must rise above the divisive politics of the past and show true leadership to ensure nothing less than the very survival of current and future generations.

“We have all worked for the past two years with the promise of a strong deal in Copenhagen to safeguard our future. Now it seems you will not get it done,” said Juan Carlos Soriano, a youth delegate from Peru, addressing the summit plenary. “This is unacceptable. We placed our trust in you. You should be ashamed.”

“Our rivers are drying up. Our crops are turning to dust. An unrelenting sun scorches our land while other areas are ravaged by storms and diseases,” said Esther Agbarakwe from Nigeria. “If developed countries set aside just 5% of their GNP for effective adaption by the most vulnerable countries, we will survive beyond 2050.”

“I came as a part of the Pacific youth delegation, but here I united with the Caribbean, the Maldivian, and the International Youth Climate Movement as a whole, calling out with one united voice for only 1.5 degrees of temperature rise and 350ppm of carbon concentration in the atmosphere”, said Krishneil Narayan from Fiji. “If the youth can unite as one movement at COP-15, we expect the leaders deciding our future to do the same, and deliver a legal binding treaty to ensure our survival.

Youth are calling for a Fair, Ambitious, Binding deal in Copenhagen, to avoid catastrophic climate change and ensure the survival of current and future generations, that:

• Ensures Climate Justice
• Limits global temperature rise to no more than 1.5 °C
• Reduces atmospheric carbon dioxide levels back down to 350 PPM or lower
• Commits developed countries to financing for adaptation of at least 5% GDP by 2020
• Reduces the emissions of developed countries at least 45% below 1990 levels by 2020

For more information, please contact:

Matthew Carroll, External Communications Coordinator, UNFCCC Youth Constituency

matthew@youthclimate.org, +45 5010 3621, www.youthclimate.org