Bukola Afeni
Connected Development(CODE) has launched a policy brief for Interfaith Dialogue on Climate change.
The Founder of Connected Development , Hamzat Lawal while speaking at the Interfaith Dialogue on Climate
Change and Environmental Stewardship” Press Conference stated tha climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
He reteirated the urgency of addressing climate change and the need for inclusive multi-stakeholder approaches.
“The impacts of climate change are increasingly evident, with rising temperatures, inconsistent
rainfall patterns, and extreme weather conditions posing significant threats to livelihoods, food security and environmental sustainability.”
He urged religious leaders, civil society organisations and climate professionals to foster collaboration so as to address the pressing challenges of climate change.
He also emphasized the need for accountability especially at the grassroots level to tackle the effect of climate change on the citizen.
Hamzat noted that appropriate communication messages should be tailored to faith based organisation such that they will be able to inform their congregation about Climate change issues in the society.
“There is an evidence which suggests that knowledge gaps in faith-based organizations in understanding climate sciences, the policies and implications for climate change significantly exist.
“This has limited the potential of faith as an effective communication strategy for behavioral change, as well as the drive on climate action”.
He added that religious bodies such as churches and mosques should be adequately informed about climate change issues.
The program Manager of Connected Development Hyeladzira James said the organization has been at the forefront of disseminating information to the public and is geared towards collaborating with faith based leaders in Nigeria.
“We have worked in some communities where reptiles have invaded homes due to erosion , and have seen first hand the effect of climate change on the people”, she said.
In addition, she highlighted that climate change have affected schools, and also had adverse effect on their crops and harvest”, she said.
In the same vein, she disclosed that CODE has been tracking the Ecological fund to ensure that women and girls issues are captured in terms of climate change.
A Climate Journalist and Editor of Environ News, Micheal Bisong Etta urged media practitioners to study the policy brief on Climate change and ensure that the information is shared to all Nigerians.
