Experts Warn Against Climate Change Devastation in Nigeria, call for methane reduction
By Uko Okon , Uyo
Environmental experts have issued a dire warning about the catastrophic consequences of climate change in Nigeria, urging immediate action to reduce methane emissions.
Human activities, they noted, contribute 60% of methane emissions, and collective efforts are crucial to achieving the 1.5°C warming pathway and avoiding the worst effects of climate change.
They emphasised the need for methane abatement, particularly in the oil and gas, agriculture, and waste management sectors.
The experts advocated for technological solutions, behavioral change, and policy implementation to reduce methane emissions.
They emphasized the benefits of methane reduction, including increased life expectancy, better crop yields, and improved livestock health.
These were some of their submissions during a round table discussion in Uyo on Thursday,on “Methane Abatement in Nigeria: A Special Focus on Anthropogenic Sources of Methane Emission”.
Our Correspondent reports that the event was jointly organised by the Environmental Centre for Oil Spill and Gas flaring (ECOSGF); African Initiative for Transparency Accountability and Responsible Leadership, (AfriTAL); Peace Point Development Foundation (PPDF) and sponsored by TrustAfrica.
In his paper presentation titled, ‘Methane Abatement in Nigeria: An Assessment of Anthropogenic Methane Emissions and Mitigate Strategies’, Dr. Soberekon Afiesimama of ECOSGF highlighted that methane has contributed over 30% of global temperature rise since the Industrial Revolution and has 80 times the heat-trapping potential of Carbon dioxide CO2.
He said, “Anthropogenic methane emissions are mainly from three sectors: fossil fuels, ~35 %; agriculture, ~42 %; and waste, ~20 %.
“Total methane emission from human activities is between 350 – 390 million tonnes annually. Natural methane emissions come primarily from vegetated wetland, freshwater systems, natural geological sources, the Arctic, etc. Vegetated wetlands contributed about 83% of natural sources.
“Sources of methane emissions in Nigeria followed the global pattern with the oil and gas sector contributing.
“Fossil Fuels account for 35% of anthropogenic methane emissions. Oil and Gas: 23% (78 Mt/year), Coal: 12% (41 Mt/year).”
On how to reduce methane emission, Dr Afiesimama noted that it required a combination of technological solutions and behavioural change by the oil and gas sector.
“70% of emissions can be abated using natural gas for power production, vehicle fuel (CNG), LPG. Elimination of the flaring of associated gases, adoption and implementation of regulatory standards in the downstream, midstream and upstream sectors are also key”
Afiesimama stated that for instance, the Agricultural/Waste Management sector could deploy biodigester technology as a way of abating methane emission.
He further noted that methane could be captured and used as a source of energy.
The expert advised against food waste, open burning of waste and called for the adoption of alternate wetting and drying of rice cultivation.
He highlighted the benefits of reducing methane emissions, which include an increase in life expectancy, better crop yield, improved livestock lives, and general well-being.
On his part, An International environmental rights expert, Christopher Inyang stressed the importance of a green environment and tree planting to mitigate global warming.
He expressed concern about Nigeria’s ability to meet its methane emission reduction targets amidst ongoing gas flaring, waste mismanagement, and other human-induced activities.
“Global warming is what causes an international environmental crisis that can affect plants, animals, and human lives.
“It has been agreed that carbon dioxide has been the greatest problem of human lives and there have been solutions reeled out to see how to manage it, including planting of green trees.
‘Why humans breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, plants give out oxygen and take in carbon dioxide and this synergy will bring about beautiful life.
“How can we situate our discussion on management of energy and abating methane emission when there is a serious gas flaring in Ibeno, Onne, even as you are standing at the soil of Ibeno you will feel earth tremor as there’s going to be an earthquake.
“Also, the waste disposal site in Uyo village road and other centers provide us with an example of mismanagement of waste which can lead to methane emission,” he said.
Also speaking, A Professor of Environmental Sciences, from Ritman University in Akwa Ibom, Prof.Essien Udosen frowned at rate of waste mismanagement and gas flaring which worsen climate change and called for deliberate action from both the government and the stakeholders in methane abatement.
“waste accumulation is the worst; when rain falls, it will decompose these things and you know what it means.
“Methane will be released to the air. Methane is dangerous and it contributes higher than carbon dioxide in global warming.
“The good thing is that you can capture it and convert it to biogas for cooking or automotive purposes; even the lipids that come out could be used for fertilizing plants,” the Professor observed.
The Coordinator of PPDF, Umo Isua-Iko urged that returning the environment to the standard nature requested will mitigate climate change in the country.
