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Tag: Climate change

  • Elon Musk launched a $100 million prize to fight climate change

    Elon Musk launched a $100 million prize to fight climate change

    THE ONLY THING better than a $100 million prize is when that prize is awarded for mitigating the effects of climate change. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, is offering a $100 million Carbon Removal X Prize to incentivize the development of carbon capture technology that can help fight climate change. The prize asks entrants to demonstrate new methods for removing large amounts of heat-trapping CO2 from the air or oceans and keep it locked away. Ultimately, the goal is to reach 10 gigatons per year of carbon removal by 2050.

    Marcius Extavour, the president of climate and environment for the X prize, said in a statement, “It should be clear to everyone in 2021 that climate change poses an existential threat, and that our CO2 emissions are a leading cause. Even as we race to get to net zero, the climate math tells us that we must also accelerate the development and deployment of solutions that can be carbon negative. That’s what this prize is all about.”

    The competition will last until 2025. However, after one year, judges will award 15 “milestone prizes” of $1 million each. Student teams are also being incentivized to participate with $5 million. The grand prize winner, selected in 2025, will receive $50 million, with $30 million being divided among three runner-up teams. 

  • Climate action: NGOs mobilise 120 volunteers to begin 1 million tree planting campaign

    Climate action: NGOs mobilise 120 volunteers to begin 1 million tree planting campaign

    To halt bad climate conditions in the country through tree planting, two Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have mobilised 120 volunteers to begin their one million tree planting target on Saturday in Lagos.

    The tree planting campaign that targeted 50 trees per day until the 1 million goal was achieved, was being organised by Urban Tree Revival Team (UTRT) Lekki Urban Forestary and Animal Shelter Initiative (LUFASI).

    Volunteers who came to the office of the organisers for accreditation ahead of Saturday’s kick-off of the tree planting campaign said they were ready to plant trees for the future.

    Mr Godspower Kuku, a volunteer, who once lived in the United Kingdom said that climate change was impacting on everyone, hence the need for all to imbibe tree tree planting and not to be left for government to handle.

    “It will be a disservice to the unborn generation of our dear nation if we stand aloof and feel unconcerned without planting trees to shield them from the subsisting climate unfriendly conditions.

    “Other climes are taking steps to remedy the situation, we should be seen to be doing something in that direction too to sustain life in our society.

    “We are ready to storm the streets of Nigeria with tree planting until the target of one million trees is planted this year as part of our service to humanity,” he said.

    Ms Jane Asuka, who said she was recruited online for the tree planting campaign, expressed excitement for the community service.

    Asuka, a student of the Lagos State University (LASU) added that, with the recent climate crisis such as the Australian bush wild fire, actions should be taken to prevent such in Nigeria.

    “We need to learn from the experiences of other people and act accordingly to avert crisis,” she said.

    The Convener of UTRT, one of organisers of the event, Ms Omobola Eko said that all logistics arrangement had been made to kick-start the ecosystem reclamation event.

    She said the tree planting campaign would begin from the Lekki Lagos axis toward inner Lagos to other parts with a tree planted on every available space.

    According to her, the group would ensure that the trees are nurtured to maturity over the years.

    Environment experts said presence of trees could lessen climate change havoc on human beings as it removed carbon in the air, halt ecological degradation and provide medication too. (NAN)

  • Forestation, clean energy will curb climate change – Institute

    Forestation, clean energy will curb climate change – Institute

    The Nigerian Institute of Physics (NIP) on Wednesday said that clean energy and forestation would curb the effects of climate change in the country.

    The Publicity Secretary of NIP, Dr Biodun Okedeyi, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    Okedeyi said that forestation through tree planting helped to fight ozone depletion.

    He said that the trees as well as clean energy such as solar energy would reduce the quantity of carbon emitted into the atmosphere.

    According to him, carbon is the major cause of ozone depletion that leads to climate change.

    “The reason is that the carbon goes straight into the atmosphere that ordinarily should have been blocked.

    “This causes serious defects that induce climate change.

    “If there are changes in the temperature, it affects a lot of things.

    “When you talk about climate change, there is increase in temperature as a result of ozone depletion,’’ Okedeyi said.

    He said that the consistent burning of gas due to oil spillage emitted carbon into the air and makes the atmosphere in the Niger Delta region warmer.

    According to him, the area is environmentally-degraded all because of poor management of the environment.

    Okedeyi said that the consequences was the climate change and the best time to curb the effect is right now,’’ he said.

    He also said that the effect of climate change could be curbed by making use of solar energy.

    Okedeyi said that solar energy should not be a challenge because the nation was blessed with plenty sun. (NAN)

  • Stakeholders discuss security, climate change in Rabat

    Stakeholders discuss security, climate change in Rabat

    More than 400 decision makers, experts on migration and development from 69 countries including 53 African countries are converging on Rabat, Morocco to discuss climate change issues in the continent.

    The event, which is tagged “The impact of Climate Change on security in Africa”, is expected to start on
    Tuesday where economists, international organisations and other major companies will brainstorm on the issue.

    The organisers, Atlantis Think Tank in partnership with International Forum for Security Technologies, would provide a platform for exchanges and reflection on the security issues of the African continent.

    “The 2019 edition of the Africa Security Forum will open a new field of enquiry that is timely to address as it is at the heart of the world’s concerns and Africa’s.

    “The Forum discussions will be focus towards Food Security and Water Management, Demographic Growth and Agricultural Development, and Anticipating Tomorrow’s Solutions.”

    The 2-day event is expected to end on Dec. 3. (NAN)

  • Climate change: expert tasks FG on strategic policies to address challenges

    Climate change: expert tasks FG on strategic policies to address challenges

    Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, the Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University Okada, has urged the Federal Government to formulate strategic policies to address climate change challenges.

    Prof. Ezemonye made the call while delivering a lecture during the 17th Convocation of the university at Okada, Edo on Thursday.

    He spoke on the topic, “Global Transformation, Emergencies, Dilemma and Decisions” aimed at tackling climate change issues in the country.

    According to him, climate change is a global issue with devastating impacts that affect ecological, economic, socio- political and environmental perturbations.

    He stressed the need for critical exposition that would chart a course to change the narrative on climate change resilience, vulnerability and adaption with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) providing the panacea.

    “The Nigerian Environment is characterised by a combination of natural features that make it highly fragile and uniquely susceptible to emerging environmental perturbations,” Ezemonye said. (NAN)