Nigeria Content Online

Apathy and lack of
sincerity by the developed countries was undermining global efforts to
tackle the impact of climate change, African countries participating in
the Bonn Climate Change Talk have said.

Victor Fodeke,
Nigeria lead negotiator, and one of the spokespersons for the African
Group at the summit, stated that what the world is currently
experiencing the impacts of climate change which are the result of
activities that occurred more than 50 years ago. He also warned that
the world should be prepared for the worst in the years ahead.

“In the last 50
years the world witnessed tremendous growth and development, more coal
and thermal power plants have come on stream, more cars, ships, and
aeroplanes have being manufactured so we should brace up for the
calamity ahead,” he said. “But, in all this, Africa and other
developing countries that are only responsible for about four per cent
of climate change will suffer the most due to their inability and
capacity to cope or adapt.”

Time for change

Mr Fodeke said it
was time African countries started working on self protective measures
as developed countries continue to frustrate efforts that would lead to
a legally binding treaty that would force them to cut their CO2
emission.

“We should start
developing strategies that will ‘climate-proof’ Africa and prepare her
to tackle the challenges of climate change,” he said. “We should start
working on adaptation strategies that will boost agriculture, bring
about energy efficiency, and renewable energy so that we are not caught
napping. To be fore-warned is to fore-plan, as we don’t need any
prophet to warn us on the antics being deployed by developed countries
to stall efforts to have a legally binding treaty.”

The scientist, who
is head of Nigeria’s Climate Change Unit, also suggested the formation
of regional climate change blocks that would conduct regular
vulnerability assessment, and advice national governments on actions
needed to cushion the impact of climate change on their citizens.

“Through such blocks, indigenous capacities can be enhanced to
enable the continent compete with others in attracting clean
development mechanism projects,” he said.