EHS 701 - Climate Change And Society Lecture PDF

EHS 701 Principles of Environmental Health Dr. Shade Akinsete  OUTLINE  Terms and definition  Climate change  Greenhouse effect  Greenhouse gases  Evidence of climate change  Global Evidence and Trends in Some Key Drivers of Climate Change  Impact of Climate change on Societ...

EHS 701 Principles of Environmental Health Dr. Shade Akinsete  OUTLINE  Terms and definition  Climate change  Greenhouse effect  Greenhouse gases  Evidence of climate change  Global Evidence and Trends in Some Key Drivers of Climate Change  Impact of Climate change on Society  Others TERMS DEFINITION Weather  The current atmospheric condition in a given place.  This includes variables such as temperature, rainfall, wind or humidity.  Weather is the day-to-day state of the atmosphere and its short-term (from hours to a few weeks) variations such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloudiness, visibility or wind NOTE  A change in one weather element can produce changes in regional climate. For example, if the average regional temperature increases significantly, it can affect the amount of cloudiness as well as the type and amount of precipitation that occur. If these changes occur over long periods, the average climate values for these elements will also be affected. Climate  Weather condition averaged over a normal 30-year period.  The 30-year averages are called climatological normals, and are used to determine, monitor or represent the climate at a particular location.  Thirty years of data is long enough to calculate an average that is not influenced by year-to-year variability.  Weather is the day-to-day state of the atmosphere and its short-term (from hours to a few weeks) variations such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloudiness, visibility or wind. http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/topics/climatezones.html Climate is statistical information, a synthesis of weather variation focusing on a specific area for a specified interval. Climate is usually based on the weather in one locality averaged for at least 30 years. courtesy of the UK Meteorological Office TERM DEFINITION Climate  The way climate fluctuates yearly above or below a long-term average variability value.  Refers to the climatic parameter of a region varying from its long-term mean. Every year in a specific time period, the climate of a location is different. Some years have below average rainfall, some have average or above average rainfall.  For example, if the average annual rainfall of a location is 1200 mm, a reduction or increase over this yearly average represents drought and flood conditions. Climate change  Long-term continuous change (increase or decrease) to average weather conditions or the range of weather.  Climate change is slow and gradual, and unlike year-to-year variability, is very difficult to perceive without scientific records.  Climate change refers to any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or anthropogenic forces. Radiative forcing (RF)  Energy absorbed = Energy emitted  The Sun is the main source of radiation to the earth.  As the earth absorbs energy from the sun, it must eventually emit an equal amount of energy to space.  The difference between incoming and outgoing radiation is known as a planet’s radiative forcing (RF) → In the same way as applying a pushing force to a physical object will cause it to become unbalanced and move, a climate forcing factor will change the climate system.  Two types of forcings → When forcings result in incoming energy being greater than outgoing energy, the planet will warm (i.e., Positive RF). → When outgoing energy is greater than incoming energy, the planet will cool (i.e., Negative RF) Term Definition Driver Any natural or human-induced factor that directly or indirectly causes a change in a system. Forcing The driver of a change in the climate system, usually through an imbalance between the radiative energy received by and leaving the Earth’s surface. Climate Change  Variation in climate parameters is generally attributed to natural causes. However, the changes in the earth’s climate since the pre-industrial era, have been attributed to human activities.  Note, the Earth's climate has always been dynamic, however, current changes are so substantial and rapid that might drive the climate and biosphere into massively disruptive patterns.  Current climate change involves both shifts in long-term averages and increased variation around them, with extreme events becoming more common (US Natl. Res. Counc. 2016). Climate Change shows up as: a. Rising temperatures, new precipitation patterns, and other changes already affecting many aspects of human society and the natural world. b. Climate change is transforming ecosystems on an extraordinary scale, at an extraordinary pace. c. This triggers a cascade of impacts throughout the entire ecosystem. These impacts can include expansion of species into new areas, intermingling of formerly non-overlapping species, and even species extinctions. d. Climate change is happening on a global scale, but the ecological impacts are often local and vary from place to place. e. Human activities and natural variability are contributing to global and regional warming. f. Most of the observed warming over the past 50 years is the result of increased greenhouse gases generated by human activities (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). g. The release of greenhouse gases has increased significantly since the Industrial Revolution, mostly from:  Burning of fossil fuels for energy  Land use change – (agriculture; deforestation; land clearing; urban settlements)  Industrial processes  Transportation  Others Greenhouse Effect The Earth is currently facing a period of rapid warming brought on by rising levels of heat-trapping gases, known as greenhouse gases, in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases retain the radiant energy (heat) provided to Earth by the Sun in a process known as the greenhouse effect (Microsoft Encarta, 2009). Source: https://www.britannica.com/science/greenhouse-effect  When solar radiation (sunlight) enters the earth’s atmosphere, the following occurs: a) Some of the radiation or heat from the sun is absorbed by the earth b) Some of the radiation or heat is reflected back to space (It is expected that most of the radiation or heat should pass through the atmosphere back into space) c) Greenhouse gases trap the radiation or heat and retain it in the earth’s atmosphere, ultimately resulting in the phenomenon called the ‘greenhouse effect’ Source: An idealised model of the natural greenhouse effect (IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, 2007) Retrieved from: https://niwa.co. nz/atmosphere /faq/what-is- the- greenhouse- effect  Greenhouse Effect:  This is the capacity of certain gases in the atmosphere to trap heat emitted from earth’s surface, thereby insulating and warming the planet.  Without this thermal blanketing of the natural greenhouse effect, earth’s climate would be about 33°C (~ 59°F) cooler, i.e., too cold for most living organisms to survive. This natural greenhouse effect has warmed the earth for over 4 billion years.  With the wake of the industrial revolution, human activities began to modify this natural process by the release some of the gases (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) that trap heat in the atmosphere.  As these gases build up in the atmosphere, they trap more heat near earth’s surface, causing earth’s climate to become warmer than it would naturally. Thus, the resultant global warming and ‘anthropogenic climate change’ with potentially dangerous consequences.  Some of the human activities such as burning of fossil fuels, land clearing for agriculture, etc, Source: https://mrgeogwagg.wordpress.com/2015/06/24/greenhouse-effect-and-anthropogenic-warming/  Greenhouse Effect:  The radiation from the sun that is absorbed by earth’s surface becomes heat energy in the form of long-wave infrared radiation, and this energy is released back into the atmosphere.  Certain gases in the atmosphere, including water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, absorb this infrared radiant heat, temporarily preventing it from dispersing into space.  As these atmospheric gases warm, they in turn emit infrared radiation in all directions (as in previous slide).  Some of this heat returns back to earth to further warm the surface in what is known as the greenhouse effect  Some of this heat is eventually released to space.  The heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere behave like the glass of a greenhouse that let much of the sun’s rays in, but keep most of that heat from directly escaping (See car illustration in the next slide). As a result of this, they are called greenhouse gases. Illustration of the Greenhouse Effect  Greenhouse gases  These are gases that create a greenhouse effect over the earth surface, thereby increasing the temperature of the earth.  The principal greenhouse gases (GHGs) include: Carbon dioxide (CO2) Nitrous oxide (N2O) Methane (CH4) Other GHGs include chlorofluorocarbons, water vapour NOTE:  The presence of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) are a critical part of the earth’s atmosphere.  Carbon dioxide (CO2)  The most abundant greenhouse gas and an important heat- trapping gas.  Carbon dioxide constantly circulates in the environment through a variety of natural processes known as the carbon cycle.  Human activities have significantly increased the amount of carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas), deforestation, and lumbering or land clearing for agriculture.  Carbon dioxide (CO2) comes from the extraction and burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas), from wildfires, and natural processes like volcanic eruptions.  Methane (CH4)  This is emitted into the atmosphere during the mining of coal and the production and transport of natural gas and oil.  Methane also comes from the decomposition of organic matter in landfills, rice paddies, and wetlands.  Methane traps nearly 30 times more heat than the same amount of carbon dioxide.  Compared to carbon dioxide, methane appears in lower concentrations in the atmosphere and remains in the atmosphere for a shorter time.  In total, methane contributes about a third as much as carbon dioxide to global warming.  Nitrous oxide (N2O)  This is a potent greenhouse gas that is released primarily by ploughing agricultural soils and burning fossil fuels.  Nitrous oxide traps about 300 times more heat than does the same amount of carbon dioxide.  Nitrous oxide contributes about a tenth as much as carbon dioxide to global warming.  Other source of N2O are combustion and human waste disposal.  Chlorofluorocarbons  Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are man-made greenhouse gases.  This is a family of chlorine-containing gases that were widely used in the 20th century as refrigerants (in refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and heat pumps), and as propellants in aerosols and medical inhalers.  CFCs also served as insulating foams in packaging materials, furniture, bedding, and car seats.  Cleaning agents for electronic circuit boards, metal parts, and dry cleaning processes also used CFCs.  Scientific studies show that the chlorine released by CFCs into the upper atmosphere destroys the ozone layer. Fluorinated gases ('F-gases')  They are greenhouse gases such as hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride.  F-gases are very powerful greenhouse gases found in everyday products e.g., refrigerators or air conditioning  These gases are sometimes referred to as High Global Warming Potential gases (‘High GWP gases’) but are typically emitted in smaller quantities from a variety of industrial processes.  Hydrofluorocarbons are mostly used as substitutes for ozone- depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and halons. Evidences of Climate Change Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Gas based on global emissions from 2010 NOTE: CO2 is the most abundant of the primary GHG due to:  Total amount  Rate of increase CO2 is causing the bulk of the forcing! Source: IPCC (2014)  Long-term Measurements of Atmospheric CO2 Levels  Atmospheric CO2 levels has been measured by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii since 1958 to date.  The Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) is an atmospheric baseline station of the Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML), of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  The mission is to measure atmospheric constituents that are capable of forcing change in the climate of the earth and those that may deplete the ozone layer. This goal is primarily achieved through long-term tropospheric measurements of key atmospheric parameters such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), radon, aerosols, optical depth, and a spectrum of solar radiation parameters.  MLO is located on the north flank of Mauna Loa Volcano, on the Big Island of Hawaii. Due to its remote location in the Pacific Ocean, high altitude (3397 meters, or 11,135 feet above sea level), and great distance from major pollution sources, MLO is a prime spot for sampling the Earth's background air in the well mixed free troposphere.  MLO began continuously monitoring and collecting data related to climate change, atmospheric composition, and air quality in the 1950's. Currently, the observatory is best known for its measurements of rising anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the atmosphere.  a. Measurements from the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii (black) and from the South Pole (red) show a steady annual increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration. b. The measurements are made at remote places like these because they are not greatly influenced by local processes, so they are representative of the background atmosphere. c. The small up-and-down saw-tooth pattern reflects seasonal changes in the release and uptake of CO2 by plants. Source: Scripps CO2 Program Steady increase in atmospheric CO2 since 1958 Year CO2 (ppm) 1750 278 (Industrial Revolution) 2010 390.1 Urgent Climate Action required! 2011 391.85 2012 394.06 2013 396.74 Arrow shows increasing CO2 2014 398.87 concentrations from industrial 2015 401.01 revolution time to current year 2017 406.76 2018 408.72 Measurements from the Mauna Loa 2019 411.66 Observatory on Hawaii's Big Island 2020 414.24 averaged 426.90 ppm) in May 2024, 2021 416.45 according to National Oceanic and 2022 417.06 Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2023 423.78 data. 2024 426.90 (May 2024)  Increasing CO2 concentrations in recent years 460 420 Carbon dioxide (ppm) 380 340 300 260 Year Year Month CO2 (ppm) Measurements of Carbon 2023 1 419.47 dioxide concentrations from 2023 2 420.31 2023 3 420.99 Mauna Loa Observatory, 2023 4 423.31 Hawaii. 2023 5 424.00 2023 6 423.68 2023 7 421.83 2023 8 419.68 2023 9 418.51 2023 10 418.82 2023 11 420.46 2023 12 421.86 2024 1 422.80 2024 2 424.55 2024 3 425.38 2024 4 426.51 2024 5 426.90 2024 6 426.91 Source: https://gml.noaa.gov/we 2024 7 425.55 bdata/ccgg/trends/co2/ 2024 8 422.99 co2_mm_mlo.txt 2024 9 422.03 Globally average surface GHG concentrations (2022 and 2023) Greenhouse gas Concentrations Concentrations (GHG) 2022 2023 Carbon 417.9 ±0.2 419.3 ±0.4 dioxide (ppm) Methane (ppb) 1923 ±2 1922.5 ±3.3 Nitrous oxide (ppb) 335.8 ±0.1 336.9 ±0.4  Some effects of Climate Change include: 1. Sea Level Rise  As a consequence of natural and anthropogenic changes in the climate system, sea level changes are occurring on temporal and spatial scales that threaten coastal communities, cities, and low-lying islands.  Sea level means the time average height of the sea surface, thus eliminating short duration fluctuations like waves, surges and tides.  Global mean sea level (GMSL) is rising and accelerating. The sum of glacier and ice sheet contributions is now the dominant source of GMSL rise  GMSL rise refers to an increase in the volume of ocean water caused by warmer water having a lower density, and by the increase in mass caused by loss of land ice or a net loss in terrestrial water reservoirs.  Sea level Rise  The ice sheets on Greenland and Antarctica contain most of the fresh water on the Earth’s surface. As a consequence, they have the greatest potential to cause changes in sea level.  In general, increasing temperatures lead to a lower density (‘thermal expansion’) and therefore the larger its volume per unit of mass. Thus, warming leads to a higher sea level even when the ocean mass remains constant. Over at least the last 1500 years changes in sea level were related to global mean temperatures (Kopp et al., 2016) Impact of Sea Level Rise  2. Ocean Acidification  CO2 dissolves in water to form a weak acid, and the oceans have absorbed about a third of the CO2 resulting from human activities, leading to a steady decrease in ocean pH levels.  With increasing atmospheric CO2, this chemical balance will change even more during the next century.  Laboratory and other experiments show that under high CO2 and in more acidic waters, some marine species have misshapen shells and lower growth rates, although the effect varies among species.  Acidification also alters the cycling of nutrients and many other elements and compounds in the ocean, and it is likely to shift the competitive advantage among species, with as-yet-to-be-determined impacts on marine ecosystems and the food web.  Ocean Acidification  As carbon dioxide dissolves into seawater, water and carbon dioxide combine to form carbonic acid (H2CO3), a weak acid that breaks (or “dissociates”) into hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-). This process has increased acidification of oceans due to increase in CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere.  Direct observations of ocean chemistry have shown that the chemical balance of seawater has shifted to a more acidic state i.e., lower pH (Dore et al. 2009; Bates et al. 2012).  Some marine organisms (such as corals and some shellfish) have shells composed of calcium carbonate, which dissolves more readily in acid (See next slide).  As the acidity of sea water increases, it becomes more difficult for these organisms to form or maintain their shells. Source: https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/ocean-coasts/ocean-acidification Global Evidence and Trends in Some Key Drivers of Climate Change  Trend of CO2 emissions  Trend of CO2 emissions = Fossil energy > other industrial processes > Agriculture, deforestation, and other land use change (AFOLU) from 1970 to 2010 for Asia.  Trend of CO2 emissions is different for LAM and MAF. Middle East and Africa (MAF); Latin America (LAM); Member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD-1990); Economies in Transition (EIT);  Trend of CO2 emissions Trend of CO2 emissions = Fossil energy > other industrial processes > Agriculture, deforestation, and other land use change (AFOLU) from 1970 to 2010.  Erratic rainfall pattern + increasing temperature = increase in drought and desertification Increased Flooding Patterns of climate change vulnerability in Nigeria Source: Madu, I. A. (2016) Impact of Climate change on Society  Some characteristics of society influence emissions through: → Fossil fuels endowment and availability → Consumption patterns → Structural and technological changes → Behavioural choices Impact of Climate change on the society will be discussed as follows: 1. Urbanization  Income, lifestyles, energy use (amount and mix), and the resulting GHG emissions differ considerably between rural and urban populations.  The global rate of urbanization has increased from 13 % (1900) to 36 % (1970) to 52 % (2011).  Heat waves may be amplified in cities because cities absorb more heat during the day than suburban and rural areas.  The linkages between urbanization and GHG-emissions trends are complex and involve many factors including: → Level of development → Rate of economic growth → Availability of energy resources and technologies → Urban form and infrastructure  2. Age and household size  A study of the impacts of population, incomes, and technology on CO2 emissions in the period 1975 – 2000 in over 200 countries and territories finds that the share of the population in the 15 – 64 age group has a different impact on emissions between different income groups  Another study in the United States reported energy intensity associated with the lifestyles of the 20 – 34 and the above 65 retirement-age cohorts tends to be higher than that of the 35 – 64 age group. This was largely explained by the fact that this middle-age cohort tends to live in larger households characterized by lower-energy intensity on a per person basis and that residential energy consumption and electricity consumption of the 65+ age group tends to be higher (Liddle and Lung, 2010).  3. Buildings  Considering a life-cycle assessment starting with manufacturing of building materials to demolition, over 80 % of GHG emissions take place during the building operation phase (UNEP, 2009) largely from consumption of electricity for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), water heating, lighting, and entertainment (US DOE, 2008).  On average, most residential energy in developed countries is consumed for space heating, particularly in cold climates. 58 % of the demand for energy in buildings was contributed by space heating in 1990 and 53 % in 2005, while water heating contributed 17 % in 1990 and 16 % in 2005, appliances 16 % and 21 %, respectively, and cooking and lighting about 5 % (IEA, 2008; UNEP, 2009).  In low-income countries, a large proportion of operational energy is derived from polluting fuels, mainly wood and other biomass, such as dung and crop residues, and a high number of people (2.4 billion) still use biomass for cooking and heating (International Energy Agency, 2002, 2006).  4. Waste  Total global emissions from waste almost doubled from 1970 – 2010 while in the period 2000 – 2010, the increment was 13 % (JRC / PBL, 2013).  In 2010 GHG emissions from waste represented 3.0 % of total GHG emissions from all sources, compared to 2.6 % in 1970 (JRC / PBL, 2013).  The main sources of waste GHG emissions were: → Solid waste disposal on land (46 % of total waste GHG emissions in 1970 and 43 % in 2010) → Wastewater handling (51 % of total waste GHG emissions in 1970 and 54 % in 2010)  Waste incineration (mainly CO2) and other sources are of minor importance (JRC / PBL, 2013).  5. Human Health Warmer temperature will result in: a. More people getting sick or some deaths will result from heat wave and stress. b. Also, disease migration such as malaria to regions formerly too cold for the hosts may occur as a result of warming temperatures. c. Emerging diseases – → This is occurring due to massive concentrations of people in urban areas where diseases transmitted by sneezing may find fertile ground. → Also, the ability to travel around the globe in less than a day and share germs widely has increased. d. Persistent diseases – flooding e. Other tropical diseases may spread, including dengue fever, yellow fever, etc. f. There are projections of rising incidence of allergies and respiratory diseases as warmer air becomes more charged with mould spores, and pollens.  Human Health g. Many of the root causes of climate change also increase the risk of pandemics. For instance, deforestation, which occurs mostly for agricultural purposes, is the largest cause of habitat loss globally. Loss of habitat forces animals to migrate and potentially contact other animals or people and share germs. h. As the planet heats up, animals big and small, on land and in the sea, will move towards the poles to escape the heat. That means animals will be coming into contact with other animals they normally would not, and that creates an opportunity for pathogens to get into new hosts. NOTE: Climate change has already made conditions more favourable to the spread of some infectious diseases Climate Change and Key Aspects of the Society to be adequately addressed: Some aspects or key dimensions of the society related to climate change often neglected that should be addressed, according to Morris et al. (2018) are as follows: 1. Race and class 2. Social status 3. Perceptions, mitigation efforts, and needs of indigenous communities 4. Gender 5. People with disabilities and those needing special accommodations 6. Vulnerable groups, such as older adults, pregnant individuals, and children; and undocumented and immigrant communities. 7. Climate-Induced displacement and migration. – This phenomenon is playing out in the Sahel region of Africa, where climate- related changes have left nearly 7 million people food insecure and more than 2.5 million people have already been displaced (Adepoju 2019). Climate Change: The Nigerian context  Accelerated urbanization - Vulnerability to extreme climatic change in Nigeria is becoming more intense as urbanization pressure (expanding towns and cities) extends into flood plains and coastal strips where people are exposed to more coastal flood risks.  Unplanned human settlements and inadequate infrastructural development – exposes people to extreme climate change conditions.  Lack of funding of climate-related projects to promote adaptation strategies.  Inadequate waste management.  Poor urban drainage poses risks to climate change related disasters.  Inadequate early warning systems. 1. Increasing frequency of extreme weather events natural disasters, 2. Rising sea-levels, 3. Floods, 4. Heat waves, 5. Droughts, 6. Desertification, 7. Water shortages, 8. Spread of tropical and vector-borne diseases 52  CLIMATE CHANGE DRIVERS  Increased temperature  Extreme precipitation  Extreme weather events  Sea level rise EXPOSURE PATHWAYS  Extreme heat  Poor air quality  Reduced food and water quality  Changes in infectious agent HEALTH OUTCOMES  Population displacement  Heat-related illnesses  Cardiopulmonary illnesses  Food-, water- and vector- borne disease  Mental health consequences and 53 stress  Health Outcomes  Extreme temperatures is expected to lead to an increase in deaths and illness from heat, especially vulnerable to these changes, are children, the elderly, and economically disadvantaged groups.  Poor Air Quality - Climate change will continue to affect the air (indoors and outdoors) people breathe.  Poor air quality, whether outdoors or indoors, can negatively affect the human respiratory and cardiovascular systems.  Higher pollen concentrations and longer pollen seasons can increase allergic sensitization and asthma episodes, thereby limiting productivity at work and school. 54  Extreme events can have health impacts such as death or injury during an event (e.g., drowning during floods), health impacts can also occur before or after an extreme event.  Vector-borne diseases are illnesses that are transmitted by vectors, which include mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. These vectors can carry infective pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, which can be transferred from one host (carrier) to another.  The seasonality, distribution, and prevalence of vector- borne diseases are influenced significantly by climate factors, primarily high and low temperature extremes and precipitation patterns. 55 Food Safety, Nutrition, and Distribution Source: https://health2016. globalchange.gov/ 56 New Dimensions of Climate Change on the Society around the world:  Increasing climate disasters: – Record-breaking temperatures – Shocking floods – Droughts – Devastating storms – Increasing forest fire occurrence, especially in existing hot spots – Repeated large wildfires – Air, water and soil pollution  Chile Wildfires Jan - Feb 2023 A person cools off amid searing heat on July 16, 2023, in Phoenix. The temperature ranges: 42.8°C (109°F) to 46. 7°C (116°F) in July 2023 Wild fire in Canada A glacial dam outburst destroyed homes in Alaska - risks of melting ice masses Floods in New York and New England Hawaii Fire August 2023  Hurricanes Nigeria floods – October 2022: leaves > 600 people dead South Africa floods, April 2023, claimed > 400 lives across the  Summary  The evidence is clear – climate change is real. However, due to the nature of science, not every detail is ever totally settled or certain. Nor has every pertinent question about climate change been answered at the present.  Scientific evidence continues to be gathered around the world. Some things have become clearer and new insights have emerged: → For example, the period of slower warming during the 2000s and early 2010s has ended with a dramatic jump to warmer temperatures between 2014 and 2015. → Africa and Nigeria must arise NOW to action!  Calls for action are getting louder. The 2020 Global Risks Perception Survey from the World Economic Forum ranked climate change and related environmental issues as the top five global risks likely to occur within the next ten years.  Summary  Much work remains for the international community in its response to increased ambition on mitigation, adaptation, and other ways to tackle climate change.  Scientific information is a vital component for society to make informed decisions about how to reduce the magnitude of climate change and how to adapt to its impacts.  Climate change policies in Nigeria still has far to go. The current policies on climate change (i.e. the National Policy on Climate Change and National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action on Climate Change for Nigeria) are aspirational in nature.  Decision makers, policy makers, researchers, educators, and others must be at the forefront about the current state of anthropogenic climate change.  ACTION! If we are concerned about Climate Change like we were about COVID-19, we will take actions right now! REFERENCES Adepoju A. 2019. Migrants and refugees in Africa. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia: Politics, ed. W Thompson, pp. 1– 26. London: Oxford Univ. Press Blanco G., R. Gerlagh, S. Suh, J. Barrett, H. C. de Coninck, C. F. Diaz Morejon, R. Mathur, N. Nakicenovic, A. Ofosu Ahenkora, J. Pan, H. Pathak, J. Rice, R. Richels, S. J. Smith, D. I. Stern, F. L. Toth, and P. Zhou, 2014: Drivers, Trends and Mitigation. In: Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Edenhofer, O., R. Pichs-Madruga, Y. Sokona, E. Farahani, S. Kadner, K. Seyboth, A. Adler, I. Baum, S. Brunner, P. Eickemeier, B. Kriemann, J. Savolainen, S. Schlömer, C. von Stechow, T. Zwickel and J.C. Minx (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA. 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Nicolai, A. Okem, J. Petzold, B. Rama, N.M. Weyer (eds.)]. In press. Royal Society- US National Academy of Sciences. 2020. Climate change: evidences and causes: Update 2020. An overview from the Royal Society and the US National Academy of Sciences US Natl. Res. Counc. 2016. Attribution of Extreme Weather Events in the Context of Climate Change. Washington, DC: Natl. Acad. Websites for Additional Information  nationalacademies.org/climate  royalsociety.org/policy/climate-change  https://gml.noaa.gov/obop/mlo/aboutus/aboutus.html (accessed 09 October 2024)