By Ify Onyekwere
Nigeria’s battle against climate change requires innovative, region-specific strategies, according to Usman Muhammad Mareri, Founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Renewable Energy and Action on Climate Change. Speaking on the Development Report Program, Mareri highlighted the distinct climate challenges Nigeria faces across its regions, from desertification in the north to severe soil erosion in the east, and persistent flooding in the south. “We have seen how these impacts are affecting the country in general,” he said, noting that small farmlands in the north are being wiped out, southern communities are increasingly prone to flooding, and erosion is devastating eastern lands.
Mareri spoke of a major project his organization has championed: a multi-faceted solar power initiative aimed at not only providing energy but also addressing health, climate adaptation, and desertification. “It’s like a four-in-one project,” Mareri explained, describing the program’s implementation over the past twelve years to support clean energy access, plant trees, and empower local communities. “We are not just focused on empowering people; it’s also about contributing to climate mitigation by providing renewable energy and reforestation.”
The discussion also covered the organization’s home garden project, which aims to revive local tree species threatened by climate change. Mareri nostalgically recalled childhood memories of trees that once flourished but have now nearly disappeared. “We are trying to revive these trees because they are at risk of extinction,” he noted, explaining that maintaining these native trees is part of the organization’s strategy to both mitigate and adapt to climate changes.
Deforestation was another key issue Mareri addressed, particularly the human-driven destruction of Nigeria’s forests. “Thousands of trees have been cut down in Nigeria, and UNEP notes we have one of the highest deforestation rates globally,” he said. While timber is often exported as charcoal to countries like Dubai, he lamented that little is done to replace felled trees. “A single healthy tree absorbs more than 30 kg of CO2,” he added, underscoring the environmental impact and need for conservation.
Though the government and NGOs are working to address these challenges, Mareri said it isn’t enough. “There’s very low awareness about the impact of climate change,” he explained, emphasizing that public accountability and better awareness could drive more effective environmental action. For any project to succeed, community involvement is key. “Every project you design without community consent will fail in the long run,” he stated, adding that local residents should be involved from the design stage for sustained, successful outcomes.
Mareri also outlined the distinction between climate adaptation and mitigation. “Adaptation is preparing communities for the impacts, like building flood-resilient infrastructure,” he explained. In contrast, mitigation involves promoting clean energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Investing in both approaches, he argued, creates stronger communities and new job opportunities.
Education plays a critical role in climate change awareness, Mareri argued, calling for collaboration between Nigeria’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environment. “It should be part of the students’ curriculum from primary school to university,” he stated, suggesting that even religious leaders could incorporate environmental awareness into their sermons.
Nigeria’s limited access to technology and funds was a recurring challenge Mareri mentioned, contrasting it with developed countries that leverage advanced satellite systems to monitor and respond to climate impacts. “While Africa doesn’t have this technology, we can still support our farmers with basic forecasting systems,” he stated, expressing confidence in Nigeria’s potential to make meaningful advances with available resources.
Lastly, Mareri stressed the importance of embedding sustainability in every climate project, explaining that long-term planning is essential. “For every project you design, you need to integrate sustainability,” he advised. “If funding stops, will the project survive?” This, he argued, is essential to ensuring lasting impact as Nigeria moves forward in its climate resilience journey.
Mareri’s insights underscore the urgency for locally-driven, community-inclusive, and sustainable climate solutions as Nigeria grapples with the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change.
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