By Ify Onyekwere
In a compelling interview on The Development Report show on People’s 105.5 FM Abuja, Edwin Orogbo, Executive Director of the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), provided critical insights into how communities can drive the fight against climate change. The conversation centered around the importance of community-led initiatives in fostering both mitigation and adaptation strategies to tackle the global climate crisis. With a focus on Nigeria, Orogbo emphasized the role that individuals and local communities must play in responding to the escalating challenges of climate change, which have far-reaching impacts on health, food security, and societal stability.
Orogbo began by distinguishing between two essential components of climate action: mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation actions, he explained, are geared towards reducing the root causes of climate change, particularly by cutting down on the emission of harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, which are the primary drivers of global warming. These gases, primarily released through industrial activities, have contributed to the phenomenon of climate change, leading to more frequent and severe weather events. In contrast, adaptation refers to the steps communities must take to cope with the already existing impacts of climate change—such as rising temperatures, flooding, droughts, and unpredictable weather patterns—by making their environments more resilient.
“Community-led initiatives are critical because they represent the everyday actions that individuals and groups can take to contribute to climate solutions,” Orogbo stated. He argued that local communities must not wait for global or national interventions but should instead become champions of climate action at the grassroots level. “For instance, if a community decides to educate and inform its members about the realities of climate change and how they can reduce their carbon footprint, that in itself is a form of climate action. It’s about empowering people with knowledge and tools so that they can be part of the solution.”
One of the most severe consequences of climate change, particularly in Nigeria, is its impact on health and food security. Orogbo pointed out that extreme weather patterns—like prolonged droughts and unpredictable rainy seasons—are increasingly contributing to conflicts, such as those between farmers and herders, who are now competing for shrinking arable land and water resources. He emphasized that without robust climate adaptation policies in place, such conflicts could worsen, leading to greater displacement and further destabilization of rural communities. “If we implement the right policies, people will be able to live sustainably within their environments,” Orogbo remarked, underscoring the need for both governmental and community-based interventions to support the adaptation process.
A key aspect of climate action, according to Orogbo, is raising awareness. He shared details about SPP’s ongoing efforts to engage young people, particularly through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). “We proposed a program to visit NYSC camps to educate youth corps members on climate change. By empowering them with this knowledge, they can take the message out to their communities, helping to spread awareness on a larger scale.” He also urged the Nigerian government to incorporate climate education into school curricula, ensuring that climate awareness is embedded in society from a young age. “We must take this awareness not just to schools, but also to households and communities. People need to understand that the floods we are seeing, the strong winds during rainfall, and the extreme heat during the dry season are not normal—they are clear signs of climate change,” he said.
The Climate Change expert took the discussion global by reflecting on the historical roots of climate change. He noted that Africa is disproportionately affected by climate change despite contributing far less to the problem than the global West. “The problem of climate change didn’t start in Africa,” he explained. “It began during the era of industrialization in the West, when the discovery of crude oil and its use for energy led to the massive release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Now, we are feeling the brunt of it because we have fewer resources and less infrastructure to cope with its effects.”
The disparity between the global North and South in terms of climate impact and response capabilities is a significant concern for Orogbo. He acknowledged the existence of international frameworks like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which aim to foster global cooperation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but he argued that Africa needs more support in building resilience. “We don’t have the strong infrastructure that countries in the West have to withstand the impacts of climate change. There is a global agenda to tackle climate change, but we must ensure that African countries are not left behind in these efforts.”
On the local front, Orogbo shared a personal experience illustrating the challenges of mobilizing communities for climate action. He recalled an attempt by SPP to organize a clean-up of Abuja’s Jabi Lake in February 2021. Despite initial enthusiasm from the community, the event faced an unexpected hurdle when locals demanded payment before participating in the clean-up. “We had informed the community about our plans, and they seemed supportive. But on the day of the event, they told us we had to ‘settle’ them before they could help. It was a stark reminder that climate action must be framed in a way that engages and benefits communities, rather than being seen as an imposition from outside,” Orogbo recounted.
For Nigeria to make meaningful progress in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to climate action, he called for more substantial investment in key sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, and climate change mitigation strategies. He argued that focusing on these areas would yield benefits across other development goals, helping to improve food security, reduce poverty, and boost economic resilience. “If we want to meet a reasonable percentage of the SDGs, we need to allocate more resources to agriculture and renewable energy. These sectors not only address climate change but also positively impact other areas of development,” he emphasized.
Orogbo’s message was clear: failure to act on climate change will only exacerbate existing challenges, such as food insecurity and social conflict, making it even harder for governments and communities to solve these problems in the future. “When you refuse to support climate action, you’re essentially contributing to the further heating of the atmosphere, which in turn fuels conflicts like those between farmers and herders,” he warned. He also highlighted the need for greater public understanding of how climate change is already affecting Nigerians, citing the rise in malaria cases as one example of how changing weather patterns are creating new public health risks.
Despite the challenges, Orogbo was optimistic about the opportunities that climate action can bring, particularly for young people. He highlighted the potential for green jobs and the growing field of climate-smart agriculture, which can help communities adapt to changing environmental conditions while also creating economic opportunities. “The opportunities in climate action are endless. There are green jobs waiting to be filled, and climate-smart agriculture is a growing field that offers a sustainable path forward,” Orogbo stated, urging young Nigerians to consider careers in climate science and environmental sustainability.
The climate change expert finally stressed that community-led initiatives must be at the heart of Nigeria’s response to climate change. By raising awareness, advocating for stronger policies, and taking action at the grassroots level, communities can play a pivotal role in both mitigating the causes of climate change and adapting to its inevitable impacts. “The fight against climate change requires everyone’s participation,” he said. “From local communities to global leaders, we all have a role to play in ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.”
Click here to read how farmers are reacting to climate change
