That the earth's climate is evolving can no more be over emphasized. It is also a growing confirmation that an understanding of this change can help us to be prepared to deal with the consequences for water resources, agriculture, energy demand and supply, health, recreation and ecosystems.
To a large extent, its been discovered that climate changes can be initiated by external factors forcing the climate system. These include natural factors such as the changes in energy flux from the sun as well as human activities such as the production of green house gases etc. Over the next century, it is likely that forcing of the climate system by human activities will greatly exceed changes in forcing caused by natural events.
The effect of climate change may then be more than one can curtail as signs such as storms, floods ozone depletion, freezing rivers, increase sea level are affecting fundamental earth systems upon which our very lives depends.
If we are to preserve our environment for future, action must commence today. We need to promote opportunities and awareness on how we can adapt to the expected impacts and assist the rural populace who tend to be more vulnerable. We need to understand the relationship between the MDG's, NEEDS etc to protecting the environment.
It is on this note that the Center for Development Support Initiatives
(CEDSI - Nigeria), recently launched its ECO GREEN INITIATIVE ON CLIMATE CHANGE.
urrently with programmes in six (six) states including the FCT, CEDSI has partnered with several Local and International development agencies towards ensuring environmental sustainability. These organizations include the UNDP, SPDC, LNG etc of high importance too is our active involvement in the social development projects in collaboration with the EU/ MPP3 and MPP6.
It is in line with our mandate to preserve the environment that CEDSI is launching the” ECO GREEN INITIATIVE”. It is an integrated, innovative, community driven, people centered and result oriented environmental initiatives with a vision to promoting greener, healthier communities. It also goes a long way to create awareness on the budgetary allocation for health and environmental issues and advocate for the implementation of identified issues by the Local Government.
The establishment of the Green Centers currently in eleven (11) Local Government areas would also serve as an opportunity to use ICT as a tool to better understanding of the environment.
CEDSI approaches it goals in Eco Green via six (6) key strategies:
- Eco Green volunteer corps : incorporating women, youths etc. and building their capacities as environmental change agents, who would monitor the allocations, create information alert on concerns in the environment so as to amicably resolve such issues with the corporate bodies involved or other stakeholders.
- Eco Green advocates and mentors : identifying and partnering with key environmental visionaries who share our global objectives and approach to resolving environmental dispute and review environmental policies.
- The Green Center : establishes community environmental research and resource centers to serve as one stop information gateway on environment. The centers would strategically serve other roles for the purpose of accountability and Transparencies of Local Governance.
- Eco Green Annual Achievers Award: This is an annual achievers award for persons and organizations who have made distinct contributions to protecting the environment.
- Project CLEAN : (A Community Leaders Environmental Advocacy Network on climate change and other environmental issues.
- Eco Green publications : Monthly alert and briefing on budget allocations for the environment, environmental issues under IPCC, SEEDS, MDG's and publication of these documents in five (5) easy to read booklets for rural communities.
