So, climate change.

Hi family,

Today, I wanted to write about something very many people know me for - climate change.

Image source: WASH.org UN

If you're unfamiliar with the term, climate change is the continuous change in weather patterns because of a certain type of human activity, mostly carbon dioxide (also referred to as carbon for easy sake) producing ones.

But why should you care?

Firstly, the weather. Especially for those of us who live in Nigeria, we probably noticed the heat this dry season was on the brink of unbearable. And it wasn't only us. In fact, heat waves seen in the US and Canada this year were so hot that temperatures reached 49.6°C! In residential areas o! Not desert. It was so hot they told people to stay indoors.

This, my friends, is caused by climate change.

But how?

In simple terms, when we engage in a carbon-producing activity like burning waste we release carbon dioxide into the air. This carbon dioxide doesn't really disappear. Instead it gets stuck in the layers of air above us because of the way our planet is structured and traps the heat from the sun.

If you want the more educational gist, stay with me. If not, scroll down to secondly.

Ok, gist. Because of the nature of carbon, it is able to trap heat like a blanket (don't worry i'll explain). The problem is not carbon itself but the amount we put in the air. Let's go back to the blanket. Blankets trap the heat emitted by your body in a smaller space making you feel warm. This is why a room full of people with no ventilation is always hot. Our bodies emit heat. So does the earth. When we produce carbon, we add to what the earth has produced increasing earth's total carbon output. Problem 2 is carbon doesn't go into space. It stays in the atmosphere acting like a blanket over the earth. The more the carbon the thicker the blanket. Problem 3. Carbon is a very tricky thing in that, it is easier for it to trap incoming heat from the sun than to let it go.

So, by emitting a lot of carbon, we continue to create a thicker blanket over our heads which is really good at trapping heat from the sun but not letting it go. This makes the earth warmer. It's like covering yourself with a bedsheet compared to a double deluxe duvet. In the afternoon. But back to why you should care.

Secondly, where you live. This is where I join those who say Africa is blessed. They are correct. At least tectonically - meaning we don't have to worry about earthquakes and tsunamis. Yay! However, we do have our own disasters. Droughts and desertification are very popular in Equatorial Africa due to our unique exposure to the sun. Countries at the equator get more sunlight and heat than most of the planet and this affects our agriculture.

Thirdly, economic hardship. Have you been to the market and noticed how prices are climbing without dropping? Part of this is because of climate change. Apart from the insecurity of the North causing farmers to abandon their farms, a phenomenon known as desert encroachment is converting arable (good for farming) farmland to barren soil reducing food production. Even imported food is more expensive because developed countries are also facing their own climate related problems.

Image source: United Nations

Finally-ish, Migration.

When things are tough, people move. But with climate change the problem is there is nowhere to move to because every country will be dealing with their own climate change side effects. I don't mean to sound negative but it is called 'global' warming for a reason.

So what?

My goal is not to depress you, especially not at the start of 2022, but to enlighten and encourage you. Just like good news brightens dark situations, there is good news concerning climate change. First, it is reversible. Climate change is like one of those problems that changes people's lives for the better. It causes us to reflect and rebrand ourselves, aligning us with true and fulfilling purpose.

So whether you are the CEO of a small business, a parent or a student, there is room for you in the rebuilding of our world.

If you are at that point in life where you're pondering purpose, climate change rewards those who have the innovations to solve problems. Personally I see this as an opportunity for Nigerians to empower themselves and also rebuild their country at the same time. And you don't have to be a science student. Anyone from any degree or age can make a difference.

Whether it's by putting off the generator once in a while, buying ebooks instead of physical ones or innovating the next generation of affordable solar panels or electric cars, the possibilities are endless.

And you can start with reducing your carbon footprint. What does carbon footprint mean?

This is the amount of carbon dioxide your actions release into the environment. It's also called carbon emission. For example, buying a physical book releases carbon because trees, which capture carbon dioxide, were cut down to make it. This is why ebooks are more eco-friendly than paperback books.

In conclusion, let me share something we discussed in one of my classes. The developed world built their economies on fossil fuels. They built cars to use petrol and diesel, got jobs working in the coal mines, invented all sorts of products wrapped in plastic (got from fossil fuel), and then sold it to the rest of the world. This is our chance to build our economies from renewable energy. Mastering solar, wind and hydro electricity production, zero-carbon transport and sustainable year-round agriculture. The world is moving away from fossil fuels and those who are ready with the best renewable alternatives will benefit this time. And for those who are quick to blame the government, even though I understand your perspective. I urge you to think critically. Are you really going to let your success be tied down by those who may not care or will you use that as a driving force?

Image source: Future pump

Here I'd like to end with a verse and a quote.

Proverbs 24:10

"If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small."

Secondly,

"History will be kind to me for I intend to write it" - Winston Churchill

To learn more about climate change and what you can do to build tomorrow, visit The Evergreen Project's Blog and Learning Space.

Hi again.

Thanks for reading.

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Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.

✌&❤

Kami.

Image source: Quotefancy

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