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Nigerian Academy of Science urges journalists to enhance climate change awareness
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Nigerian Academy of Science has called on journalists to increase public awareness of climate change, emphasizing the media's role in protecting public health and promoting climate resilience. During a media roundtable in Lagos, scientists and media experts advocated for greater collaboration in communicating climate change realities to Nigerians. Professor Babajide Alo, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics and Research of the University of Lagos, highlighted the media's reach in educating citizens on climate change causes, consequences, and solutions. He noted that climate change is a pressing challenge, with desertification affecting the North and rising sea levels impacting the South. Alo also linked environmental degradation to insecurity, citing the shrinking of Lake Chad as a factor in the Boko Haram insurgency. He urged journalists to use community language for public sensitization and stressed the importance of involving young people, older citizens, and local communities in adaptation and mitigation efforts. Veteran journalist Wale Fatade described climate change as a public health crisis, not just an environmental issue, and challenged journalists to report on its impact on disease, food security, nutrition, mental health, and healthcare access. Professor Chinedum Babalola, Public Affairs Secretary of the Nigerian Academy of Science, stated that the roundtable aimed to make scientific knowledge accessible and relevant, ensuring science informs policymaking, b
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