From BENJAMIN AUTA, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Climate Change Accountability Mechanism, KADCCAM, has called for urgent and coordinated measures to tackle the growing effects of climate change and environmental degradation across Nigeria.
The group made the call in a statement issued to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity, observed globally to promote the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Speaking after a stakeholders’ engagement in Kaduna, KADCCAM Co-Chair, Ibrahima Yakubu, warned that the effects of climate change were becoming increasingly visible in communities across the country.
He stressed the need for stronger climate policies, wider public awareness, and community-based solutions aimed at improving environmental resilience and reducing long-term risks.
Yakubu cited a United Nations biodiversity report which warned that nearly one million plant and animal species worldwide face the threat of extinction due to deforestation, pollution, habitat destruction, and the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources.
Participants at the engagement noted that climate change continues to affect agriculture, food production, and livelihoods, particularly in northern parts of the country where desertification and irregular rainfall patterns are worsening.
They described the crisis as an immediate reality already affecting farmers, rural communities, and vulnerable households.
The stakeholders also highlighted the role of the media in shaping public understanding of climate and biodiversity issues through accurate and solution-driven reporting.
They called on government agencies, civil society groups, and development partners to strengthen collaboration on environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation initiatives.
The stakeholders further advocated increased investment in renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, early warning systems, and ecosystem restoration as part of efforts to reduce environmental risks and protect vulnerable communities.
KADCCAM is a multi-stakeholder platform focused on climate accountability and environmental sustainability.