Waste Management in Makurdi: Enhancing less GHG emission

By Damian Daga
Published in The Voice, Wednesday 23rd May, 2012.

Waste management is usually said to be big business but it is also a climate threatening business, if not properly carried out. In the developed world and big cities, more advanced means of disposing and treating waste is employed but the scenario is a little different in small towns such as the Benue State capital – Makurdi in Nigeria.
Makurdi, created in 1970 became a state capital in 1976 when Benue State was created. It is predominantly made up of civil servants and the population is roughly pegged at 300,317, according to the 2006 National Population Census. However, the population of this town according to other indicators which include the increase in new layouts, schools and sprouting businesses, as well as establishments is rapidly rising. In tandem with the rising population is the rising waste disposal and need to rightly create waste, dispose it and of course, properly manage the disposal.

Activities of the Benue State Environmental Sanitation Agency (BENSESA) in line with refuse or waste disposal is commendable on the premise of their effort, especially within the last one year in ensuring that their waste disposal trucks comb the nooks and crannies of Makurdi metropolis on a regular basis. The agency has also made available, waste dump sites at strategic spots for resident’s convenience in depositing waste which is removed at short intervals.

However, the good work of BENSESA and the so called resident’s new awareness on disposing waste would come to nought, if the side effect of the practiced form of waste disposal and management is not corrected. So to say, the act of dumping refuse at open dump sites at Agboughul has dire consequence on the earth’s atmosphere and by extension, climate change.

So to say, better management of waste in Makurdi can reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases and, if high rates of recycling and possibly incineration with energy recovery are attained, the net greenhouse gas emissions may even become negative.

By implication, this could be interpreted in a way that the waste management in the Benue State capital would contribute to meeting the targets of the Kyoto Protocol. One may erroneous say Makurdi’s waste management scheme is on a low side therefore, there is no cause for alarm; however, there is every need to start off her waste management on a firm and environmental friendly track in order to mitigate climate change effects in her own little way; after all, charity begins at home.

For avoidance of doubt, greenhouse gas which is usually abbreviated GHG is a gas in the atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere are water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Greenhouse gases greatly affect the temperature of the earth; without them, earth’s surface would be on average about 33 °C (59 °F) colder than what obtains now.

It could be recalled that since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the burning of fossil fuels has contributed to the increase of GHG’s in the atmosphere from 280 ppm to 390 ppm, however, much of it too are put into the atmosphere via waste management practices.

Apart from some greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide which occur naturally and are emitted into the atmosphere through natural processes and human activities; others, are solely created and emitted through human activities. They include:
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) occurs through the burning of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), ‘solid waste’, trees and wood products etc.
Methane (CH4) is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane emissions also result from livestock and other agricultural practices and by the ‘decay of organic waste in urban solid waste landfills.’
Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during combustion of fossil fuels and ‘solid waste.’

As earlier stated, it may seem to the carefree reader that the impact of these greenhouse gases on the atmosphere in Makurdi may be infinitesimal but the long run effect is potent and greatly responsible for global warming potential and hence, climate change.

It is in this regard that the Benue State government should encourage BENSESA to improve on sustainable use and management of wastes. Furthermore, the intervention would ensure the emergence of significant and overall reduction in the volumes of waste generated through waste prevention initiatives with new awareness by the populace in aspects of sustainable production and consumption patterns. Needless to emphasis, a considerable lessening in the quantity of waste disposal will ultimately lead to less volumes of hazardous waste produced.
Suffice to add that the populace being encouraged to re-use of several items would drastically reduce the risk of GHG’s emission and climate change dangers.

On the other hand, the state needs to embrace and give focus to recovery processes such as recycling. This process greatly keeps many difficult to degrade materials in use for a longer period. More so, the process of disposing or recycling waste should be located in proximity to waste generating source. This arrangement no doubt, would reduce the tedious process of conveying waste across far distance thereby concomitantly increasing GHG emission via gasoline fumes of dispatch trucks. If this is done, the extent of efficiency in the state would be increased and she could become a model just like Lagos State has become through the aid of her Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

Another worrisome aspect of waste disposal in the state is the practice of some private waste disposal companies who have miscellaneous illegal means of dumping waste by deserted roadside or other in other un-approved sites. Although, the General Manager BENSESA, Ediga Akpa recently said these private waste disposal companies licences have been withdrawn because of their obnoxious practices, some of this private waste management companies still operate.
Residents too do not help the situation as many burn their waste, drop their waste indiscriminately etc, whereas, this waste could be channelled into energy at landfills where the gas is captured and converted to better use thereby making it bug business.
A resident of New GRA, an area in Makurdi who pleaded anonymity told TheVoiceEnvironment that the state environmental and sanitation agency doesn’t come their way so they result to disposing their refuse by burning. According to the interviewee, she would not mind if the agency could sell to them disposable polythene and waste bins and charge them a fee for disposing the waste therein. “This arrangement among others would help the agency generate revenue and also place it in a better position to treat and manage waste to conform to global carbon footprint reduction and environmental friendliness,” she advised.

In other words, waste management in the state ought to be upgraded, preparatory to the rapid rate of urbanization and population growth so as to mitigate the emission of green house gases such as methane. There is no better time to embark on this worthy and globally accepted standard in order to truly ensure a cleaner, healthier environment in not just Makurdi, but the world at large.

Bats: Protecting the flying mammal

By Damian Daga Published in The Voice, Wednesday 16th May, 2012. It is no longer news that bats are the only mammals that can fly. It is however news that this nocturnal creatures, which have modified hands and arms that serve as wings, capable of sustained flight are gradually becoming endangered. This mammal which has been in existence for close to 50 million years has nearly 1000 living species which according to Encarta Encyclopedia accounts for almost a quarter of all mammal species. The species are divided into two major groups, the first being the Megachiroptera, or mega-bats which are large and commonly known as Old World fruit bats because they are mainly fruit-eaters. These bats are only found in tropical habitats of Africa, India, and Australasia. The second group, the Microchiroptera, or micro-bats are smaller and eat a variety of foods, from small mammals to fish. Although history long fallacy by people who considered bats to be dangerous and frightful creatures of the night has come and gone, they continue to be wrongly and unjustifiably accused to be evil or carriers of diseases. It could be recalled that medieval superstition held sway that bats are blood suckers and carriers of rabies. However, studies give evidence to the contrary. Averagely, in the United States of America, only one person per year dies from rabid bat, a bite which is less than those who die from dog bites or bee stings; although, it is possible that some bats may carry some deadly virus. In Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, there is no record of bat bite. In Makurdi, Benue State of Nigeria, bats could be said to be diminishing in numbers due to a change in their habitats with more construction being carried out and trees felled. The hitherto biggest colony and abode of bats which used to be the Benue State Government House premises/environs and parts of the Old GRA area has witnessed massive felling of trees and renovation/construction of buildings which have disseminated the bat population. Against certain beliefs that the bat is blind, most bats have excellent vision. Bats use echolocation to see. “They produce high-frequency noises and can estimate the distance of an object by using the sound echoes that bounce back to them. So, while bats may travel in total darkness, they “see” using sound,” says VOA’s Mario Ritter. The United Nation’s declaration of 2011 and 2012 as the “Year of the Bat” is a campaign aimed at strengthening ways of protecting the only flying mammal. According to submissions by conservationists, over one-fifth of all bat species are under threat. They are faced with threats such as disease and the human destruction of their natural environments. A disease such as the white-nose syndrome is responsible for deaths of bats. Statistically, the Bat Conservation International says “white-nose syndrome has killed more than a million bats since it was discovered in a New York cave in 2006 while in some areas, the disease has killed nearly one hundred percent of bat populations.” Interestingly though, bats are very important for agriculture and a stable environment. Bats are agents of plants pollination and they spread seeds. They pollinate at least 500 species which includes mangoes, bananas, cashews, figs, agave (from which tequila is produced) and dates. There is no gain saying, without bats night pollinating activities, it is likely that many bat-pollinated plants—and the many animals that depend on them for food and shelter—may go extinct. Bats droppings also produce a nitrogen-rich fertilizer known as guano. Bats which can eat large numbers of insects also help control insects; this includes types that damage crops. The brown bat alone is said to eat more than one thousand insects in an hour. Invariably, as reported by Science Magazine in 2011, bats insects eating habit saves farmers money in areas they thrive, as they reduce need for use of insecticides/pesticides. Another advantage of bats in the reduction of the use of chemicals for farming includes the adverse effect chemicals have on the environment, humans and wildlife. Bats importance stretches into the medical industry as some of them carry a substance in their saliva which is used in the manufacture of a medicine for stroke, just as that of the vampire bats of Mexico and South America are used to make drugs for the human heart. It is on this premise that the National Geographic article which sought to demystify the epauleted bat and its plight in the face of human efforts at eradication either as pest or delicacy, comes to the fore. The fact that the bat is used by many as delicacy too leads to their eradication in many numbers. In many climes such as the Tiv speaking part of Benue State, certain persons enjoy bat as a source of meat and protein. A Vandeikya based transporter and graduate of Political Science from the Kogi State University, Peter Orshi says he enjoys bat delicacy once in a while. He however adds that it is rare as bat population seems to be dwindling and not too people many people care to hunt them for meat nowadays. A tutor in the Department of Biology at Vaatia College, Makurdi Benue State and B.Sc.Ed graduate, Emmanuel Nyigba opined that although he doesn’t eat bats, people do because of its source of protein. According to him, bats play a vital role in the maintenance of the eco-system hence; the government and indeed, others should exercise restraint in destroying their habitats. “Conservation of bats is important and needs to be encouraged in all quarters and clime,” added Nyigba. There is every need to salvage the remaining population of bats in our environment and it starts with sensitization and awareness of their true nature and importance. With the effort in the United States, where nearly 40 percent of native bat species are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act adoption of such conservation strategies by other countries will protect already fraught local populations of bats. A cue should be taken by governments and organizations from the World Conservation Union (also known as IUCN) and Bat Conservation International who have volunteered through sponsorship to save bats populations. “Not acting is not an option because the life histories of these flying, nocturnal mammals – characterized by long generation times and low reproductive rates –mean that population recovery is unlikely for decades or even centuries, if at all,” said Gary McCracken, Head of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville USA. To this end, many precautions and studies on the effect of urbanization as it affect bats population should be carried out; after all, these flying mammals play very important roles in our ecosystem.

Climate change education: The media role

Climate change education: The media role
By Damian Daga
Published Wednesday, 6th May, 2012 in The Voice
The emergence of climate change impact is felt globally and has assumed the front burner status in environmental and sustainable development issues. In this case, the need for climate change and environmental education has become imperative, viz-a-viz the media’s role in championing the cause, in order to cushion the effect of climate change/environmental education illiteracy.
   Environmental education helps to draw a graphic understanding of the causes and effect of positive and negative aspects, of both global and local issues of both short term and long term, direct and indirect impacts on the environment. Environmental education further boils down to creating an avenue for noting that climate change among others are real, with debilitating effects, such effects include disrupted ecosystems, seasonal circles, water needs, food production, and agriculture. Other adverse effects of climate change result to drought, floods, poverty, malnutrition and several health and socio-economic problems among other vast effects.
Indicators point to the fact that most of Nigeria’s ecosystems are threatened by climate change and it will create more problems for a population of over 160 million already weighed down by impoverishment.
Therefore, the media’s role in climate change and environmental education cannot be over emphasized. It ought to be given priority as the media is duly equipped (if properly harnessed) to play a critical role in communicating environmental and climate change issues to the public. This would ultimately enhance sustainable development.
Suffice to say, coping with climate change is a major problem not just for Nigeria but the world at large. It is obvious too that, although people have began to observe changes in the climate, however, they do not know what to do about it. To this end, it is rightly the media’s role in consonance with its dictates of “informing” and “educating” to step up and throw more light on the happenstance of climate change.
With the media actively engaged in climate change education, the dearth of environmental education will be revived to a status of an effective guide for the public to come to terms with issues bordering on weather, climate change and environmental protection, etc.
So to say, the media’s potency as an effective mobilization, informative and education tool is not in doubt. Considerably, the media played a pivotal role in disaster and crisis management in the past and can do same in the scope of climate change education, just like it did for HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns.
Basically, what the media needs as a very first step in a successful climate change educational drive is, regular and accurate dissemination of the issues of concerned with a usage of the best possible simple presentations, which would substitute most scientific jargons for easier understanding, then greater understanding of climate change would be realized. Bringing to bear the fact of media as the fourth realm, it could influence a change from the perceived government’s un-preparedness to keep abreast, climate change and environmental issues and education. Seemingly, two out of three environmental analysts have opined that the Nigerian government (as well as state governments) disregards the grave danger of climate change to the nation’s economy and resources.
A knock also goes the media way as some media houses are criticised for not given emphasis to the burning issue of climate change and the environment. It has become common to see several pages on politics and business in newspapers and magazines but none on the environment.
A pertinent question arises; if the government and especially the media do not impart the knowledge of climate change to the masses, who will? Your answer is as good as this writer’s, therefore, it behooves the media to chart a course in giving prominence to climate change issues and indeed the whole environment so that the masses too would know of the implications of their actions or in-actions in the environment and the disaster.
Managing climate change through the media is truly an enviable height because without it, adequately achieving sustainable development through climate change education is near impossible. It is this same media that serves as a demystifying parameter of usually confusing scientific terms in the process of communication on climate change.
For more efficient media role in propagating climate change education, especially in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, the following should be observed: climate change awareness should be encouraged among journalists; enhanced coordination between government and the media; more donor participation by organizations in the sphere of climate change; and the provision of more resources by media houses for coverage of climate change stories.
By and large, even with the seeming hurdles faced by the media in climate change education in Nigeria, there is a modest improvement. To that effect, the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Environment may be repositioning for general environmental issues awareness and sustainable development. This could be noted from the recent hosting of stakeholders to a brainstorming meeting with a view to drawing out a policy document for presentation at this year’s Rio+ 20.
To this end, it is only proper to put all hands on deck in the media world to be in the fore front understanding climate change and ways to mitigate its effects. The media by right as an agenda setting mechanism can, and should never shy away from this onerous task of educating the masses on climate.