Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) on Tuesday said climate change has become one of the greatest threat to peace in the world.
The National Coordinator of CEPEJ, Sheriff Mulade, said this during a workshop the centre organized to mark this year’s International Day of Peace held at the Uvwie Town Hall, Uvwie Council Area of Delta.
He said climate change was one of the greatest threats facing humanity, with far-reaching and devastating impacts on people, the environment and the economy.
“It affects all regions of the world and cut across all sectors of society.
Many men, women and youth have been forced to abandon their ancestral homes for opportunities in other places.
“There are wide cases of droughts and flood leading to loss of farmland and crops and thus a threat to food security and a risk of hunger and poverty,” Mulade said.
He noted that climate change was responsible for the incessant violence and conflicts over land and natural resources in Nigeria and the world at large.
“The crisis between farmers/herders in Nigeria can be linked to the impact of climate change which is causing many deaths and loss of properties in communities mostly affected.
“The cases of banditry which is threatening the security of lives and properties and the peace of many communities across the country today can also be linked to the effect of climate Change.
“Climate change is perhaps the biggest challenge faced by our generation today. It effects are widespread and significant, affecting agriculture, energy, human health, terrestrial and marine ecosystems, water resources, and some industries across the world and especially Africa, Its toll on human life is irrefutable, and is obviously, a major threat to peace in our society,” Mulade said.
Muladed said the theme of this year’s International Day of Peace, CLIMATE ACTION FOR PEACE, does not only provide the opportunity to talk about climate change and its impacts, especially on peace, but also to directs attention to taking serious climate action.
“We risk the wide range of devastating impacts of climate change if we fail to continue to take actions,” Mulade said.
One of the keynote speakers, Edewor Egedegbe who is the Convener of Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative, said climate change threatens security, livelihood and lives, adding that there was urgent need to address the issue of global concern.
On her part the President of Morgan Smart Development Foundation, Mrs Omawumi Urhobo, in her Goodwill message said without peace a nation cannot prosper or get developed, urging all to continue to preach the message of peace “we can get the needed development our region needs.
