By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The United Nations System in Nigeria, said that it is firmly committed to supporting the Government of Nigeria in its climate change efforts.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Matthias Schmale, reaffirmed this commitment, while declaring open, a one day media sensitization on climate change and COP28, organized by UN Information Centre for Nigeria and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), in Abuja.
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Mr. Schmale, said, the UN System in Nigeria will continue its close partnership with the Federal Government as they work together to implement the agreed Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework covering the 5 years from 2023 to 2027.
According to him, “Outcome 2.2 of the Cooperation Framework states that by 2027, Nigeria is implementing improved management of climate change risk and building resilience to adapt to its long-term impact through the NDCs, sustainable energy production and consumption, and climate finance. This is our shared goal”.
He noted that the Nigerian media must play an important role in addressing the challenge of climate change, in the face of widespread mis-information and dis-information.
The media, he added, must provide accurate information about climate change, its causes, and impact, stressing that mis- and dis-information are delaying urgently needed action to ensure a liveable future for the planet.
Mr. Schmale, the media have a responsibility to report the facts, explain the science, and outline the consequences of climate change to Nigerians.
“We have found that a solutions-focused approach to reporting on climate is more productive than the purely doom and gloom approach of the past. Stories tend to focus almost entirely on the problem. But climate change is solvable. The recent surge in green energy use and innovations is proof of that. Balance is vital. The media can help readers and viewers take action on their carbon footprint, make informed decisions in their daily lives, and even get involved in the booming green jobs sector,” he said.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Representative for North, Central and West Africa, Bernard Edward Gomez, urged the media to use their platforms to positively shape the global discourse on climate change and climate mitigation.
He further tasked, Nigerian journalists to hold national authority to account on their commitment and actions in tackling climate change.
“As we navigate the increasingly complex challenging landscape of climate change, journalism is more critical than ever, using its power of story telling, investigative reporting and community engagement, they can inform, educate and hold accountable stakeholders in the fight against climate change,” he added.
The Director General of Nigerian Meteorological Agency, and Nigeria Permanent Representative to World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Prof Mansur Bako Matazu, said, the third world countries that contributed less that five percent of the problem, are vulnerable to the negative impact of climate change.
