The overwhelming green house gases (GHGs)
have come to stay because the balancing forests have tremendously declined resulting into detrimental effects on the earth. It is important to note that each day, the sun emits rays of light unto the earth’s surface. While the earth absorbs part of the heat; it reflects some percentage into the atmosphere, and sends out a third part in the form of infra-red rays. These rays are cushioned by the clouds and water vapour, which stabilize the earths temperature.
The problem, we face today is the concentration of green house gases produced by human activities. Researches have indicated that the impacts of climate change will be severe, as ‘many as one fifth of the world’s population particularly in the agricultural dependent tropical world will face starvation, heat, drought, and various forms of diseases and pest invasion.
The sea level rise, is likely to exacerbate flooding with attendant hazards causing major problems amongst the population living within 1.5km of our shores. The impact on fresh water is also likely to be grave. The Niger River basin faces serious threats. For instance, fish production is dropping, and our fisher men and women, in the Niger Delta region, are already experiencing the impact. The fish catch drop is due to increased water temperature. Rising green house gases emission is threatening at least 75% of Key Fishing- grounds as the ocean’s natural pumping systems comes under threat, increased carbon dioxide raises the acid level in our seas and oceans which further decreases the major food sources of fish, planktons and corals according to UNEP: By 2050 at least a billion people will be forced to flee their homes as climate refugees.
Africa which resides almost exclusively within the tropical latitudes is experiencing decline in average rainfall accompanied by increase in variability West and South of the equator. The livelihoods of 420 million people that centred on agriculture, hunting, fishing or forestry with limited access to agricultural facilities, such as irrigation livelihood activities are definitely vulnerable to variation in rain fall, as FAO observed: Climate – related vulnerabilities are affected by land use change and environmental degradation and demographic trends.
In view of the attendant detrimental effects of climate change particularly as it affects Nigeria, it has become very necessary to call for sustainable afforestation programmes to combat the menace. Forests are unusual, in that they are potential prime course of climate change through deforestation. It can also play a key role in mitigating its impacts.
Tropical forest are highly vulnerable to changes caused by lower rain fall and higher temperatures.
UNEP has indicated that between 20 and 25% of all carbon dioxide emissions are caused by burning forests to clear land for farming. Poor forest management policies or lack of policies, road construction and industrial developments contribute majorly to the problem. According to F AO records, the world today is losing about 200km2 of forest a day with the forest in Africa, being felled at twice the global rate of 32,000 hectares per day. Interestingly, the Nigerian coastal forests, mangroves, freshwater swamp forests and lowland humid forests are the most outstanding in Africa.
Forestry measures in response to climate change, demands adequate improvement in the productivity of the already cleared areas and slowing down further deforestation habits.
This can be achieved if the well-being of the forest dependent and border communities are improved. This means that the Nigeria government, should collaborate with forest-dependent communities to review our national forest policies to consider socio-economic and environmental effects on the people.
The ability to sustain the forest sector will depend on increasing the productivity of the current forest land base instead of expanding into now marginal landscapes. The best approach should be to place forests, under multiple – use management. For instance, the practice of ecotourism will provide our border communities with alternative employment and enhance foreign exchange for the country. Most of our forests have the much wanted plants with potential pharmaceutical’ applications, new exotic aroma and flavours for tourist attraction.
Our forests ‘should be managed by selective tree harvesting systems to retain the forest canopy and a modified forest climate. Government should therefore enact environmental friendly laws and ensure that such laws are effectively implemented to the letter. Commitment in enforcement of environmental resources exploration laws, and more seriously, attitudinal change from our unfriendliness to more environmental and health conscious people is likely to give way to the desired green generation Nigeria.
Fuayefika, a social commentator, writes from Port Harcourt.

Tonye Fuayefika