By Adenike Ashogbon
Sequel to the BBC World Service Trust 2008 report which states that
climate change awareness in Nigeria could be as low as 1%, Zero Carbon
Africa – an alliance of youth-led/focused organisations and young
individuals committed to championing grassroots innovative solutions to
climate change and empowering young people on environmental
sustainability issues across Africa have come up with a coordinated
approach to educate Nigerians on the dangers posed by climate change
through an event tagged “ARTing CLIMATE CHANGE”.
Nigeria is
already facing climate change challenges, as the southern coast of the
country is being threatened by erosions and floods, while the northern
is threatened by desert encroachment, sand invasion, food security
issues among others thus, the call for ACTION.
In a bid to reach
the vast majority of Nigerians which are youth; Zero Carbon Africa has
set to host a Green Carpet [ARTing CLIMATE CHANGE] on 27th September,
2012. ARTing CLIMATE CHANGE will showcase the impact of climate change
as it affect our lives in different sector of the society through the
use of art – music, dance performance, poetry, paintings, locally
produced video documentary and sharing of true stories.
Speaking
with the Project Director, Zero Carbon Africa, Zaid Shopeju, he noted
that their main objective of this initiative is to enlighten the public
on climate change as a new reality for Nigeria and empower young people
to play an active role as an agent of change in championing innovative
solutions to address these impacts in their different local communities
because art is one of the best ways to help people understand the
science of climate change which will give it a human face.
Shopeju
further says, ‘to implement this project Zero Carbon Africa will be
working with renowned and upcoming artists, poets, climate experts,
public personalities who will showcase their work on environment
protection and openly endorse the event as a sign of commitment to
acting as environment ambassadors’.
In light to all of the
preparation, the Communication Director, Isaiah Owolabi says, 'there
will be exhibition of different art works during the Green Carpet
section of the event (paintings, books and more) not forgetting that
young people have a strong inclination towards art.
Our approach
is targeted at using art to get their attention in order to creatively
pass our message; that young people can champion environmental, economic
and social solutions for today and tomorrow’.
The visual art
will include interpretive dance, drama presentations, poetry and more
will be employed to educate and inform the public on the impacts of
climate change on our society.
Giving an overview of the
programme outlook, Mr. Owolabi went further to say that the event will
birth the “National Day of Action on Climate change” where young people
across Nigeria will take action on climate change for October 25, 2012, a
one day action by young people in Nigeria to save today and preserve
tomorrow!
Thus far, ZeroCarbonAfrica have been able to
reach over 7million across Nigeria through TV and Radio programs that
cut accross different states and online radio from UN summit in Rio De
Janierio. “Echoes from Rio” reach over 2 million Africa youth through
online radio broadcast, live streamlining interviews, side events among
others.
The Zero Carbon Africa is an alliance of HACEY's Health
Initiative, Youth Vision Alliance Network (YVAN), HEDA Resource Centre
and Centre for 21st Centuries Issues
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