1 week Ago By Guardian Nigeria
Despite the mild onset of the rainy season across the country, the weather has refused to be hospitable. It is unsurprising that high temperatures have resulted in highly distressing heat and humid conditions during the day and at night, wreaking discomfort and illnesses in homes and open places. Tropical diseases associated with hot weather are reported to be on the rise.
Meningitis, heat rash, heat cramps and respiratory diseases are being reported across localities. It has been established that besides the irritability that heat causes the body, it can also result in dehydration (loss of water from the body), heat exhaustion, and illnesses ranging from heat cramps to heat strokes, which may be severe and life-threatening. Certainly, all hands should be on deck to return planet Earth to its pristine and self-moderating kind nature, while in the meantime, people adopt survival strategies Environment experts have warned that the uncontrolled release of greenhouse gases over the years has trapped heat in the atmosphere, causing the average global temperature to increase by more than one degree centigrade since the late 19th century.
The hottest years were 2016, 2023 and 2024, with 2024 taking the top spot to become the warmest year on record. Experts say this trend is bound to continue if human activities are not moderated. At this point, Nigerians should be conscious of the warning that global warming and rising temperatures, as well as their negative impact on the environment, have come to stay unless everyone agrees to implement the mitigating remedies.
That means countries must deliberately cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, stop bush burning and avoid activities that encourage deforestation. Back in February 2024, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) warned that Nigerians risked death, in addition to other climatic hazards, as the effects of global warming became rampant. At that time, NiMet projected that temperature in Northern Nigeria could hit 41 degrees and 39 in the South.
The 41 degrees was considered too high and dangerous. Experts have further cautioned that extreme temperatures without the capacity to apply cooling measures could render animals and plants susceptible to diseases of various kinds. Farmers across the country are being advised to adapt to the impact of climate change on their calendars.
This year, NiMet has cautioned farmers not to rush to plant in tune with first rains, as such could be deceptive. Indeed, the rains have come rather sparingly and were quickly succeeded by very hot and humid weather, which has been tormenting the average Nigerian. It is worse for those who work outdoors and in open spaces.
In recent years, farmers across the country have encountered unusual weather conditions. Southwest, for instance, had to contend with the yearly August break (dry season), which used to last for two or three weeks but now lasts almost two months between July and August. In the absence of irrigation service, the result of this long break is poor harvest.
For low-income persons who live in densely populated areas, the reality of climate change is compounded by a lack of affordable and available electricity. The high cost of energy and the fact that it is not available at the right time means that millions of citizens go to bed without the means to apply cooling effects to mitigate high temperatures. They succumb to heat rash and other diseases prevalent in hot and dry air.
In climate change discourse, the elephant in the room is the emission of greenhouse gases, which the global community has initiated measures to deal with. Yet, Carbon emissions are flaring. Many countries, including Nigeria, are still burning fossil fuels to generate energy for transportation and industry.
Others are cutting forests for farming, urban development and logging. Though some countries have kept faith with the global pledge to reduce emissions, others are idling with the Paris Agreement. Meanwhile, the global average shows the earth remains endangered: sea-levels are rising; heatwaves, droughts, floods and storms are becoming regular geographical features.
The ecosystem is disrupted, and natural climatic patterns have shifted from their normal seasons. They now occur irregularly and dangerously. It is important to take note of how these disruptions affect our country.
The government should invest more in renewables to reduce the incinerating effect of fossil fuels on the environment. Residents are advised to take cool showers, wear loose clothing and take enough liquid to remain hydrated. Children and the elderly, who are particularly vulnerable, are urged to spend more time indoors.
Low-income populations are advised to shelter in cool areas, under trees and in gardens. The government should also ensure that children are vaccinated against meningitis well before the onset of every dry season. Government agencies and civil society organisations tasked with climate change assignments should take their responsibilities seriously, more than they have done in the recent past.
Beyond attending climate change conferences, where a substantial budget is expended on housekeeping matters, let there be year-round enlightenment activities to propagate the Conference of Parties’ (COP) yearly message. Schools and clubs must spread the message of climate change. At home, parents must preach the gospel of a clean environment and waste management to children.
Let no one wait until humans begin to incinerate along the streets and in their homes before we take climate change seriously. Climate change is real, and hot temperatures shall remain as long as humans refuse to moderate practices that harm the environment. To be forewarned, they say, is to be forearmed.
Nigerians should adhere to various advices on how to cope with the hot weather. This includes wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing when stepping outside; wearing hats, sunglasses or carrying an umbrella to provides much-needed shade; drinking a lot of water to stay dehydrated (this aspect has been difficult during the days of fasting); taking showers as often as possible; eating more vegetable and fruits and avoiding outdoor activities as much as permissible..
