Olukayode Babalola
The Federal Ministry of Environment has organized a two days stakeholders engagement workshop to create awareness among farmers, women and the vulnerable group in the North Central geopolitical zone on adaptative measures to climate change.
Mr. Mahmud Kambari, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment declare the workshop open in Keffi local government area of Nasarawa state on Wednesday.
According to Kambari who was represented by Mrs.Victoria Pwol, Director, Department of Climate Change at the Ministry, Climate Change has become a very important topic of discussion in the world with world leaders looking for solutions to it’s impacts.
“Such as increase in atmospheric temperature, drought, flood, irregular rain patterns which have become more and more irregular over the years.
“Climate Change impacts communities differently and there are two major responses to climate change which are mitigation and adaptation,” he said.
He noted that adaptation to climate change is key to coping with climate change effects and taking actions to prepare for and adjust to both the current effects of climate change and the predicted impacts in the future.
“Adaptation is the way to go hence this workshop which is timely as the country seeks more adaptation strategies/options to cope with climate change impacts,” he said.
In her welcome address, Mrs Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director, Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment said countries must come up with suitable adaptative measures to combat the impact of climate change before it becomes uncontrollable.
Abiola-Awe represented by Mr Jonah Barde, Deputy Director, Vulnerability and Adaptation, Department of Climate Change at the Ministry added that some countries are already coming up with new and innovative to adapt to climate change, adding that Nigeria must not be left behind.
“In line with the above, the stakeholders interactive session is timely because it will encourage participants here present to come up with various adaptation options. We must move away from the business-as-usual way of doing things,” she added.