Finalists for the 2nd ACCER Awards announced in Nairobi

 By Isaiah Esipisu

Finalists for the 2014 African Climate Change and Environmental Reporting (ACCER) Awards were announced on the June 5, the World Environment Day at a colorful event in Nairobi.

Speaking during the event, Mulei Muiya, Kenya’s Director for Environment, Water and Natural Resources noted that climate change had become a huge threat, referring to the recent scary assessment report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which warns of accelerated extreme events of sea level rise, drought and floods in the near future.

Climate change, Ebola and Lassa fever

By Greg Odogwu

 

For those who still doubt the reality of a warming Earth, there is now undeniable evidence that global temperatures are increasing. Of course, no one would now give the excuse that the statistics authenticating climate change are based on scientific mumbo jumbo; they are now based on direct temperature measurements and observations of other impacts such as melting glaciers and polar ice, rising sea levels, and changes in the lifecycles of plants and animals.

Nigeria's National Conference and The Environment

By Greg Odogwu

 

It was quite refreshing to watch as the Committee on Environment submitted its report at the ongoing National Conference. Considering that matters affecting the environment have always been put in the back burner when national issues are discussed, the sight and sound of statesmen and key stakeholders discussing these vital concerns on live television can only be described as music to one’s ears. 

Challenges before Nigeria's New Environment Minister

By Michael Etta

 

Expectations are very high that the new Environment Minister, Mrs. Laurentia Mallam, will learn and avoid the mistakes of her predecessors, and take concrete steps to address the daunting challenges bedeviling growth in Nigeria’s environment sector. In this piece, Etta Michael Bisong, x-rays some problems that if genuinely tackled will drastically reduce the increasing impacts of climate change and promote the concept of sustainable development among Nigerians. 

Journalists in Africa get guidebook on Climate Change reporting

By Kofi Adu Domfeh

Journalists in Africa have been introduced to a guidebook to direct them in accurate reporting of climate change issues.

The 91-page guidebook will direct journalists to better inform people to understand the changing climate and the need to protect and restore the rapid deterioration of the environment.

Ghana Climate Change Coalition commits to boost environmentalism

Kofi Adu Domfeh

Anita Plummer, a Professor at the International Affairs Centre of Spelman College in the US has stated that “our environment where we live, where we work, play, pray and study – is our responsibility and what we do today is not only impacting our future – it is impacting the here and now.”

New environmental challenges starring in the face of Ghana include climate change, sanitation and waste management, chemical use and misuse, illegal mining and the impacts of oil discovery and electronic waste.

Study Shows Remarkable social progress in Congo Basin region when forests are Certified

By Elias Ntungwe Ngalame

 The first ever study dwelling on the social impact of Forest certification in the Congo Basin forest area has shown tremendous benefits to the riverine forest population.  Forest certification for sustainable management provide more benefits to communities than uncertified forests, according to a new study of Congo basin logging concessions by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)presented in Yaounde Cameroon on April 7, 2014 by WWF-Cameroon, CIFOR Cameroon and the ministry of forestry and wildlife.