Esther Salifu
Green Waka, in collaboration with the UN-recognized Carbon Literacy Project, has launched Nigeria’s first Carbon Literacy Project.
Two young Nigerians, Michael Mbaike and Etta Michael Bisong, were awarded Carbon Literacy certification in Abuja.
The Coordinator of Nigeria Labor Congress Climate Change Green Jobs and Just Transition Program, Comrade Echezona Asuzu, emphasized the need to expand carbon literacy in Nigeria, especially among citizens.
He highlighted crucial roles civil society must play in ensuring a just transition, including identifying problems, holding leaders accountable, and prioritizing evidence-led climate literacy programs.
Comrade Asuzu urged citizens to hold political leaders accountable on issues of climate and carbon literacy.
“We must demand an Inclusive Action Plan on Effective Environmental Governance and Integrity. We must prioritize Evidence-led Climate Literacy Programs and Interventions in the workplaces, schools, and businesses, and we must embrace a transition that is just.
“We must remember that there are no jobs, no workplaces, no businesses, no church, no mosque, and no fun on a dead planet,” he added.
Michael Mbaike, Co-founder of Green Waka and awardee, stresses sustainability and environmental stewardship as people-driven initiatives that require collective action.
“The issue of sustainability and being a steward to the environment is not something that is for only people at the top. We are working in different sectors and different marketplaces,” he said.
The Co-founder of Green Waka also urged every citizen to be aware of climate issues.
“There should be adequate awareness about what we are emitting and what we are contributing to the environment. When we are fully informed, we can now move to other issues such as climate justice and the rest,” he noted.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Patrick Osadebamwen, expressed his joy at witnessing the country’s first Carbon Literacy project and award.
“It is historic for us in the country that we have a set of young men who have been certified to be carbon literate. The implication of this development is very enormous to us as a nation. We have individuals who are knowledgeable and relevant in the carbon market.
“The easiest way to discuss this is to let people know that they can make money from it, and we have the capacity to show them how, when, and where. This is very important because we use products daily that contribute to the country’s emission levels, and also those that reduce it.”
