International Migrants Day: Effects of the environment on migrants

International Migrants Day:  Effects of the environment on migrants 

Every December 18^th is commemorated around the world as International Migrants Day. But the question that comes to mind every year is that who are the migrants? How is the environment affecting them where they are?

Now who is an “environmental migrant”? Is he/she a citizen of an island nation escaping rising seas at his/her doorstep; a drought-stricken farmer who cannot grow crops or raise livestock; or someone living  in a highly polluted metropolis forced to move to another country to cure persistent asthma attacks?

These are not anecdotal examples; rather they are realities that many environmental migrants face. The International Organization for Migration has predicted that by 2050, there could be as many as 200 million environmentally displaced people around the globe.

Recently, the 2006-2009 droughts in Syria, the worst the country has experienced in modern times and exacerbated by climate change, led to the migration of as many as 1.5 million people from rural to urban areas. This movement added to existing social stresses and may have contributed to the outbreak of violence and civil war in 2011.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP, an average of 26.4 million people per year, have been forced from their homes by natural disasters since 2008. This is the equivalent to one person displaced every second. And the trend is on the rise. Cumulatively, these factors present a tremendous challenge to the international community.

In May this year, at the World Humanitarian Summit, Tuvalu’s prime minister called for a UN resolution to create legal protection for people displaced by the impacts of climate change, including communities that might have to move because of rising seas, water shortages and other threats to their homes.

The low-lying island nation of Kiribati has raised the prospect of having to relocate its entire population to Fiji if sea levels continue to rise. The country even bought a symbolic plot of land in Fiji to highlight the choices that may face the Kiribati government.

The UN Environment, together with its other international partners, works to support vulnerable countries and communities around the world on issues of displacement and migration.

They encourage and enable ecosystem approaches to disaster risk reduction that help communities build ‘green defences’ to natural disasters. They also help countries anticipate and adapt to the impacts of climate change; and work with humanitarian agencies to reduce their own environmental footprint.

“When you look at the root causes of displacement environmental change or degradation is often a part of the story, so better environmental management should be part of the solution,” said Oli Brown, Senior Programme Coordinator, Disasters and Conflicts, UN Environment.

In the coming year, UN Environment will be joining the Global Migration Group, the main UN platform for interagency cooperation on migration and displacement, and will be well poised to contribute to discussions and negotiations on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration in 2018

World's first zero-emission hydrogen train to begin operations in Germany

The world's first hydrogen powered, emission-free train will soon start operations in Germany in 2017. 

The initiative is a ground-breaking innovation that will help in phasing out heavily polluting, diesel-powered trains.

According to the German newspaper Die Welt, the first "hydrail", or hydrogen-powered train, will begin transporting passengers on the Buxtehude-Bremervörde-Bremerhaven-Cuxhaven line in Lower Saxony, in northern Germany, in December 2017. 

Although the first train in operation will only run a short, 60-mile (96-kilometer) route, four German states have signed an agreement with Alstom, the French company that builds the trains, for the purchase of up to 60 additional locomotives, if the train operation successful. 

The new, silent train, called the Coradia iLint, was unveiled by Alstom at a railway industry trade fair in Berlin earlier this year, and only emits steam and condensed water.

Although not suitable for electric railway lines, it's designed to provide a clean alternative to the large number of heavily polluting diesel trains that run on non-electric lines throughout Europe.

Germany alone has more than 4,000 diesel-powered train cars, according to Alstom, and about 20% of all of Europe's current rail traffic is hauled by diesel locomotives according to the European Union.

The train uses the same equipment as a diesel train but runs on an entirely new technology that uses hydrogen, which is a waste product of the chemical industry just as the fuel source.

Energy to power the train is generated by large fuel cells that sits on top of the train. This cell combines hydrogen with oxygen to produce electricity, which is then stored in batteries.

Each two-car train-set requires a fuel cell and a 207 pound (94kg) tank of hydrogen to supply it, while the oxygen is obtained from the local air. 

The train can complete a 500 mile (800 kilometer) journey on a full tank of hydrogen, which is enough for one day according to Alstom, and carries up to 300 passengers.

Although the 87 miles per hour (140 kilometers per hour) speed the train reaches is far below that of other European trains, it is well suited to the quieter and shorter stretches of the European rail network that haven't yet been converted to electricity.

Initial tests on the two pre-production trains that were unveiled at the trade show will be completed by the end of the year, according to Alstom.

The two units will then undergo further testing throughout 2017, prior to their expected approval for operation by Germany's Federal Railway Office at the end of that year.

Environmental Pollution

Environmental Pollution

Do you know that the present generation and incoming ones have three major challenges to tackle, if they have to survive in this world?

These challenges are population explosion, poverty, and pollution.

Pollution, being the most dangerous of them all, is a problem like cancer in which death is sure but slow.

Environmental pollution is assuming dangerous proportions all through the globe and Nigeria is not free from this poisonous disease.

It is the gift of modern living, industrialization and urbanization. Unless timely action is taken we have a forbid and bleak future for the world.

The technology does greatly affect our lives today. Information and Globalization Revolution brought changes not only to human but also to our nature.

These changes are inversely proportionate to the environment because as we demand for high technology we also brought unobserved effects to the nature.

Most times, governments’ attention is focused majorly on economic problems, forgetting about the environment. The Earth now experiences simultaneous typhoons, earthquakes and landslides.

The Environmental Protection agencies across the world should continue to rise up to the occasion, they need to raise more awareness on the ills of environmental challenges in the world today.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT

What is the meaning “sustainable development” and its relationship with our ‘‘environment’’.

Sustainable development has been defined in many ways, but the most frequently quoted definition is from the International Institute for Sustainable Development:

It says "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’’

Also, the National Policy on Environment, “sustainable development” refers to the judicious and planned use of natural resources for equitable development to meet the needs of the present generation without jeopardizing that of future generations.

The Experts Group on Environmental Law, established by the World Commission on Environment and Development, prepare reports on legal principles for environmental protection and sustainable development, and proposals for accelerating the development of relevant international law, for consideration by the World Commission on Environment and Development.

And they give special attention to legal principles and rules which ought to be in place to support environmental protection and sustainable development within and among all states.

So when we talk about Environmental Issues, then matters on desert encroachment, flood disasters, oil spillage, water pollution, climate change, depletion of ozone layer and erosion that threaten human existence, come to our minds.

Other natural and man-made disasters too are parts of environmental issues that have claim millions of lives across the world.

These environmental issues can be monitored and addressed with the use of modern scientific and technological equipment like Space technologies, geographic information system (GIS) and GPRS to facilitate an effective Early Warning System.

Meanwhile, the application of end of pipe and green technologies to reduce industrially induced environmental pollution, have also been found effective in controlling pollution.

The adoption of appropriate strategies to manage both solid and e-wastes (recycling of the wastes and scrap metals in the society) are also means of developing our environment, For example, Lagos state government established organic fertilizer plants that use wastes within the metropolis.

The fertilizer also serves as agricultural input for farmers to boost productivity.

A good environment can only be sustained through the development of creative ideas which will help in improving the state of science and technology in the country with the ability to meet present and future needs of the people.

Monarch Launches Environmental Sanitation Programme In Ife

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, over the weekend launched an environmental sanitation programme ‎tagged ‘Gba’femo’, that is ‘Sweep Ife Clean’.

The sanitation programme, which worth millions of Naira includes a cleaning competition where residents will be encourage to get involved in cleaning the streets of Ife town.

According to the programme, the cleanest street in Ile-Ife and its environs when chosen would receive a cash reward of 100,000 Naira every month.

‎At the commissioning of the project held in front of the Ile-Oodua, Enuwa Square in Ile Ife, Osun State, Oba Ogunwusi, who was accompanied by his queen, Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi, said the provision of the two new Leyland trucks and waste disposal bins was to encourage the people of Ile-Ife to take the issue of sanitation very seriously.

He said that “environmental sanitation or cleanliness is crucial in the drive to make Ile-Ife a tourist destination. And Ile-Ife has to be prepared ahead for the millions of tourists expected to visit the ancient historical city from next year”.

About 200 youths have also been selected and enlisted for the take-off of the programme in collaboration with Local Government Authorities.

Oba Ogunwusi emphasised that environmental sanitation and cleanliness in all ramifications should be properly observed and carried out in all the nooks and crannies of Ile-Ife.

Earlier, the Project Manager, Mr Tunde Awoyemi, while addressing the crowd at the event said that Ooni Ogunwusi had challenged the youths, women and elders of the community to be actively involved in environmental sanitation and cleanliness of Ile-Ife and environs.

Also the Ife Traditional Council led by Obalufe of Iremo, Oba Idowu Adediwura and Lowa Adimula of Ife, Oba Julius Omisakin, spoke glowingly in support of the programme initiated by Ooni Ogunwusi.

They also appealed for support and co-operation of all and sundry in Ile-Ife and its environs to make the programme successful.

This initiative is coming days after flood destroyed property in the state’s capital city, Osogbo, leading to the death of one person.

The incident had been blamed on indiscriminate waste disposal by residents, something that the Ooni is trying to address in Ife town.

Dredging work has, however, started in Osogbo to guard against recurrence of the incident that occurred after flood warning was issued.

Channels Television. 

AFROSAI CALLS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

The African Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions, AFROSAI, has called for the implementation of laws and regulations on environmental protection on the African continent.

The organisation also designed some programmes to aid the quick implementation of the environmental protection laws.

AFROSAI emphasised that the execution of the necessary environmental laws will bring down the economic hardships on African citizens and its resultant increase in societal ills.

This is following the successful completion of cooperative environment audit on the drying up of Lake Chad by the AFROSAI working group on environmental auditing meeting in Abuja.

Representatives of about 54 supreme audit institutions attended the meeting.

They looked at the possibilities for a proper environmental impact re-assessment that will ensure strict monitoring and control of activities in the basin and beyond.

They also focused on the role of both the citizens and government, especially towards ensuring implementation of multilateral agreements on environment arising from environmental audits.

The Acting Auditor-General of the Federation, Ms Florence Anyanwu, said that terrorism, poverty, unemployment and increasing economic discomfort are direct effects of the failure of governments so far to implement recommendations and environmental plans of action in the continent.

She maintained that the only way to progress is to ensure implementation of the recommendations.

Talks are already on-going for the cooperative environmental audit project on Niger by the Niger Basin Authority and the supreme audit institutions of the nine member countries.

Source: Channels Television

FRANCE URGES ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

France has launched a threefold appeal at the United Nations General Assembly for the swift implementation of last December’s Paris accord on climate change, a major increase in aid for Africa, and an immediate ceasefire in Syria and the provision of humanitarian aid.

President François Hollande of France made the appeal while addressing the Seventy-first UN Assembly’s general debate on its opening day, calling on all countries to speedily conclude all steps before the end of the year.

On Africa, he proposed an “Agenda 2020” to give all Africans access to electricity, and warned that there will be no development there without security being guaranteed, noting France’s own intervention in 2013 that prevented terrorists from seizing control of Mali.

“Today the threat is posed mainly by Boko Haram in Nigeria and the Lake Chad region, and organizations linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant,” he said.

President Hollande reiterated France’s support for countries of West Africa, the Sahel and the Lake Chad region.

“Faced with this scourge the countries of West Africa, the Sahel and the Lake Chad region know they can count on France. We are at their sides, we are training them, we are supporting them in all fields, including the crucial need for intelligence,” he added.

On Syria, Mr. Hollande said France would call on the UN Security Council to meet and advance four demands: impose a ceasefire, demand the immediate and unconditional provision of humanitarian aid to Aleppo and other besieged cities, allow for the resumption of political negotiations, and denounce and impose sanction on the regime’s recent use of chemical weapons.

Mr. Hollande said France also sought a meeting by the end of the year where Israel and then Palestinians will have both the capacity and responsibility to negotiate a solution to their conflict based on two states living side by side in peace and security.