Global Warming and Coastal Areas

                              Global Warming and Coastal Areas

Geographers and Environmentalists are expressing concern over the rate at which the polar ice caps in the northern and southern hemispheres are melting. Reports say, the increase in the rate was as a result of increase in solar radiation reaching the earth due to the deflation of the ozone layer.

The ozone is a gaseous layer composed of oxygen in a state of triple atomic fusion, which is designed to absorb ultra violate rays reaching the earth from the sun.

Scientists believe that, the ozone layer is being deflated by the increasing volume of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. The emission is blamed on high level industrialization and technological advancement in the use of automobiles and oil exploration and exploitation activities.

Scientifically, the ratio of water to soil on the earth surface is supposed to be 70% to 30%. But the increase in the rate at which polar ice caps melt due to the deflation of the ozone layer, which results in Global Warming, is threatening to alter this arrangement. And the end result is a rise in the volume of sea water and the eventual submergence of coastal settlements.

In Nigeria, the phenomenon is threatening to Submerge important coastal towns like Lagos, Port Harcourt and Yenogoa.

Malaria in Africa

                                          The Malarial Scourge in Africa

Recent statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that, Malaria is still the leading killer disease on the African continent. It is a tropical disease that is responsible for the death of over 2 million people every year. And the most vulnerable groups are pregnant women and children below the age of five.

Female Anopheles mosquito is the major vector of the disease. It breeds in dirty, stagnant waters and unkempt environment. The malaria parasite; plasmodium, is transmitted through mosquito bites. The parasite is borne in the saliva of the female Anopheles mosquito that sucks blood, and in the process it deposits the plasmodium into the blood stream of its victim.

Malaria parasite hatches and multiple within the liver of its victims and later spreads into other vital organs. Victims of Malaria come down with intense feverish condition, lack of appetite for food and drink, vomiting and dehydration.

Pregnant women and children are mostly affected by malaria because of their relatively weaker immunity.

Governments in Africa and other tropical countries in collaboration with WHO and Non Governmental Organizations have adopted several measures of curtailing the menace of the scourge. The most prominent measure is the substitution of Quinine with a combination of anti malarial drugs known as ACT considered more effective. And the introduction of chemically treated mosquito nets.

Floods in Kano

                                                         

                                        Floods in Metropolitan Kano

The recent flood disaster that devastated parts of Kano metropolis was a confirmation of the earlier forecast made by Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), that 2011 will experience more torrential rainfall above the annual average, to be accompanied by heavy tropical winds and floods.

Unfortunately, the forecast was taken for granted and the warning not heeded. Hence, the heavy loss of lives and wanton destruction of property worth several millions of Naira in Fagge and Warure areas of Kano metropolis.

Investigations revealed that, the density of the built environment in Kano had immensely contributed to increase in run-off water. More so, design and construction of drainages were not fashioned to accommodate the increase. And due to the dearth of refuse dump sites in the city and nonchalant attitude of some people, drainages are blocked by rubbish. Also, most of the affected areas have a large concentration of buildings made of clay, which easily collapses when in contact with water.

Despite the early warning, the response of the authorities to the plight of the flood victims was very disappointing. Most of the displaced households took refuge with either neighbors or nearby public buildings, without basic needs.  

gudun hij

To avert future recurrences of disastrous floods in Kano and other parts of Nigeria, Environmentalists suggested rapid response to early warning of looming disasters on the part of the authorities as well as expansion and regular clearance of drainages. They also suggested the preparation of emergency shelter and relief materials for resettlement of would be victims.

gudun 2

The Shrinking Lake Chad

                                               The Shrinking Lake Chad

Lake Chad used to be Africa’s 2^nd largest Lake after Lake Victoria in the Rift Valley, and a source of livelihood to over 30 million people drawn from 4 countries. However, Geographers and Hydrologists have predicted the disappearance of this all important lake from the face of the earth in the next 20 years, if the southward advancement of the Sahara desert is not deterred.

Hitherto farmers, fishermen and water transporters from Nigeria, Niger, Cameroun and Chad republics depended solely on the abundant waters of the lake and resources derivable from it to earn a wealthy living. But today, the lake had shrunken to only 20^th of its original size, thereby producing lesser quantity and quality of fishes, lesser water for the irrigation channels and transportation networks.

To reverse this ugly trend and give another lease of life to the disillusioned dependents of the Lake Chad, the governments of the benefiting countries must adopt newer measures of conserving and preserving the lake as well as the fauna and flora around it. Environmentalists believe that the best way to achieve that is through, the creation of shelterbelts to forestall the further advancement of the desert as well as channel surrounding rivers into the drying lake to supplement its water supply.

Also, the authorities in charge of the Lake Chad basin must adopt more proactive measures of easing the lake of overuse and excessive evaporation to put a stop to the threat of disappearance.