Climate change and the alternative energy in Nigeria. A six minutes read.

Hello! hope you are having a good day. I have been off my blog for a while now, and this was because i tampered with my x html codes without backing it up; i messed up the whole thing. Careless right? Yeah i know, but not to worry as i have fix it. I will make this article as precise as possible.

Climate change, climate change. Every one should have a working idea of the subject, and if you don't i suggest you click on <<-------->>. Trust me, i doubt the world has seen something like this before, a ticking timed bomb as i keep calling it. Studies shows that climate change is expected to increase the number of premature death not just in Africa but the world at large, as a result of increasing heat in the coming decades. There is not one single source that we can target with climate change , there are so many paths that the world should to look into.

Did you notice the extra increase in sun intensity and heat waves? yes you did, we had meme trending on all social media platforms here in Nigeria, you know, the one about someone leaving the doors of hell open without shutting it, yes; that one. The sun intensity keeps increasing and continues doing so, people are uncomfortable and so many have fallen sick and even died; these are few climate change risk factors.

Climate change also threatens mental health, another study shows. it mess with your mind. Post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety can result from places affected by flood; another threat of climate change. Africans will suffer more from mosquitoes and insect diseases as a result of the increasing heat, as this insects are able to breed more and successfully under hot weather, and not to forget; the zika virus, hmmm.

The world has been taking steps to cut down carbon emission, you can tell as it held a conference on it in 2015 COP21/CMP11 in paris with so many country leaders present, but so much needs to be done even by individuals as we are not even close. Alternate energy like the solar power should be use and we should comb out our dependency on fossil fuels to power our homes, the government needs to do something about it, they need to make ease for more importation and patronage of the solar panels at cheaper rates.

Although using the solar cells is quite cheaper to the fuel powered generator, this remain a fact most Nigerians fail to see because they choose to understand prices as presented to them initially, without comparing the cost that the fuel powered generator will incur over a long period of time. Yes, the continuous fuelling, oiling, repairs, noise, hazard, health and servicing will cause you more over time.

it's surprising how we complain of the sun been so hot and intense in Nigeria, without harnessing so much from it to power our homes, which is completing free by the way, and we could go about our day to day activities. Most parts of Nigeria enjoy 300 days of free, clean, renewable sunlight a year and over 100 million people both urban and rural area still don't have access to reliable electricity.

The average Nigerian is most dependent on the fuel powered AC generator, which also contribute its own quarter to environmental degradation. If Nigerians can buy into the idea of the sustainable use of solar and ditching the regular generators, and also understand how with the solar they are not just saving money but been environmental-friendly, lets face it, a generator continues to take in fuel and requires repair and servicing from time to time; so trust me, you are better indulging in the solar culture. If the government can endorse and investors play in, and return of investments are attained, the common man would not even be bothered about the scarcity of fuel in the country. Alternate energy is the way forward, solar is the future for Nigerians; for the sun here, and it is in abundance. If you find this write-up interesting, feel free to share using the social media icons below. Until your next read, live and enjoy.

Photo credit: theindustryforum.com(1)

Photo credit: mybroadband.com(2)

Read More

The role of eye contact in communication. A nine minutes read.

The human eye is a strong tool, a stare in one's eye possess in it an unlimited window to endless possibility, it all depends on how much you explore. The eyes says a lot, tells you when someone is happy, sad or in shock. It tells you when you have been notice, admired or sexually desired. Maintaining eye contact with someone serves as an indicator to know when someone is untrue, fake or deceptive; just as you look into the eyes of a child, sibling, or spouse to fish out the authenticity of a particular information. 

The eye contact is how people reveal their attraction towards each other. Why does eye contact work so well for attracting a mate? From three different chicks (i chatted on bbm with in the past) perspective, the eye contact is the first revelation into your one's character, and more importantly your confidence.

As we know, confidence is a strong attribute that ladies find sexy and attractive in men (so they say). As true as it seem, not everyone can maintain an eye contact, as often it might seem weird and awkward. Is it to say that such a person is untrue or fake? that i can not tell you, should we say that confidence, trust and connection is dependent on one's ability to maintain an eye contact, connect and communicate? yes, to a great extent. 

Relationships are created from trust, apart from really knowing the person, trust is communicated through the eyes. So it is critical to learn to maintain an eye contact, as it is socially required.  If you are a person that observes micro-expressions, would you trust someone that cannot maintain an eye contact? you will find yourself losing interest in the conversation and the person as well, at times you might question credibility and knowledge.

Funny enough life can be tricky, as i have come across a few persons that are often so ignorant of the confident rubbish they say to people, as they maintain eye contact, but when you look deeper you can see the insincerity and lack of knowledge. At times it is almost as if they possess a kind of supernatural power or something. Eye contact is crucial in maintaining trust and connection, it is often difficult for shy people or when you are not yet familiar with a particular person, is normal, it happens to the best of us often at times. The good news is, you could learn with a little bit of effort and time, the need and how to maintain an eye contact.

Many feel that it is irrelevant and of no importance, but it is. I had an interview, the lady( interviewer ) was not just intimidating but attractive, she had this cat-like eyes that could steal any man's concentration. I knew maintaining eye contact is something i must see through, as her eyes never left mine even for a blink; so i maintain contact as long as i could from time to time and answer the questions she ask, it was the longest 15 minutes of my life. Her eyes were so beautiful and fierce; you could tell she mean't business. I wasn't comfortable but eye contact and confidence are important in any interview and i wasn't a pro in any, but try to conquer.

Some how i was thrown off balance when i couldn't answer a certain question. Now, am looking into her eyes, not knowing what to say. How can a person be intimidating but yet, so beautiful; i ask myself---still not knowing what to say. Then i found myself looking at the ceiling and side ways, she relaxes her back to the chair as she drops her pen on the desk. As someone that reads into certain micro expressions, i could tell that we have disconnected, i could tell she is beginning to lose confidence in our conversation. 

As i say, the eye is a window and maintaining a gaze is something that should be taken seriously and can be learn't; only when you put your heart to it. If you are into public service, strengthening a relationship, or building trust; you should learn how to maintain eye contact. 

Changing from eye contact to eye connection takes practice and concentration, you should know is part of human development for without it, you increase the risk of not creating and maintaining a relationship with your listener. If they don't trust you as a  leader, friend, or partner, they'll never be influenced  to take actions based on your message.

Similarly to body language,  the eye contact is a form of non-verbal communication. By the means of eye contact, people express their emotions, including attraction. Eye contact is such a powerful tool, that most people will try to avoid it in certain situations. 

Today technology has worsen the situation of human connection as small talk are the new deep conversations, you take a lady out and some how during your date, the both of you are still keeping tab on your phones. Most times you comment and interact with people on social media and pass them on the streets without knowing how to strike a conversation, you are in an event/party and should be having fun, but instead you use that time to take selfies, so you can upload to the web for people to see you are having ball.

In actual sense, you're not enjoying the moment but instead, putting an effort to show the world the fun you probably are not enjoying at that particular time. Human interaction and eye contact are crucial. Todays, technology pulls you away from that. So, " when you're with people, put your phones away. Look at them, be with them, maintain eye contact for these moments are getting scarcer and in time to come; would greatly be missed." Learn to live in the moment, connect with people, be with people. The eyes holds the key to unlimited possibilities; you just have to connect with it. If you find this read interesting, feel free to share using the social media icon below. Until your next read, enjoy.

Read More

How we are the cause of global warming and climate change (pt 2). A seven minutes read.

Greenhouse gases ghg trap the sun's radiation within the Earth's causing continuous warming. Humans contribute to the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases like the methane, carbon-dioxide,water vapour, nitrous oxide e.t.c through deforestation,  vehicle emissions,  energy production and waste disposal. 

Several things used everyday in your home produce gases like those that contribute to global warming. Certain lights has been thrown to this subjects in the last post, we will try to elaborate on what has been said and more.

photo credit: e.education.psu.edu 

The Air condition system

Cooling your home uses energy in the form of electricity or natural gas. Your air condition contains refrigerants like the chlorofluorocarbons CFCs, that if allowed to escape into the atmosphere; which eventually happens, contributes heavily to global warming by depleting/damaging the ozone layer, depending on the age of the unit. 

Let me explain this! when CFCs goes into the stratosphere( a layer in the atmosphere ), it is broken up by ultraviolet radiation from the sun, and when this occurs, chlorine is been release that catalytically destroys the ozone layer; it does this by creating hole in the stratosphere that allows excess ultraviolet rays to find its way to the earth surface. Hence, increases chances of skin cancer, irritation and skin burns-----mostly with individuals low on melanin.

Light

Electricity use in houses in Nigeria/Africa contribute its own quarter to global environmental crises, as many are dependent on ac generators, as a result of lack of supplied electricity. Nigeria reliance on industrial and household ac generators, if recorded, causes so much environmental imbalances like the: noise pollution, sooth, carbon emissions and health disadvantages. The more we use more energy consuming bulbs and appliances, the more load we hand to the generator, which in turn, works more and emit more. Now! replacing this energy consuming bulbs with the energy saving ones can significantly reduce home electricity use and save you money while simultaneously making a positive impact on the environment. Also, if more can be done for the importation and promotion of solar power ( renewable energy ) against the use of ac generators mostly in Nigeria, as this can also go a long way in reduction of environmental degradation. This change would be in the hands of policy makers and government, as the average man would prefer to keep blind to the use of solar, because he/she believes the ac generators are more cheaper compared to the solar panels in Africa/Nigeria. 

Waste

When household waste ends up in a open landfill/dumpsite like the ones we have in big cities like Lagos      ( epe, ewu elepe, olusosun, solluos 1,2 and 3 waste dumpsites ). It decomposes and produces greenhouse gases including methane from manures of both man and animals. Reduce, reuse and recycling of waste are ways the people can help the environmental issues of today. 

There is also the need for the government to put infrastructures, awareness and set departments that would be responsible for this type of sustainable waste management, and also the need to educate everyone on domestic waste topics like difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste; to assist in reaching this environmental objectives. 

photo credit: dailypost.ng 

Note: if you have notice in my post, i use global warming with climate change in a way that it seem like am referring to both topic/problems as one. although both represent separate problem that fuels each other. 

Global warming is the environmental problem that occurs and still occurring as a result of the atmosphere been occupied with large amount of gases ghg that absorbs excess heat, and later extend it to earth surface continuously, when there exist no way for such heat to escape the earth surface  

 ( our environment ). ------ causing warming.

Climate change is the aftermath of global warming, as the earth keeps warming and getting hotter, the climate keeps changing.  The hot climate keeps causing evaporation increase( increase rainfall ), melting of glaciers and the ice-caps, which were so much thicker many years ago. It is feared that by the year 2o4o these ice might completely melt--------i guess you are asking how the melting ice-caps and glacier concerns you, relax let me explain.

Sea level around the world has been increasing as a result of global warming, this has been a major contributor to flooding as water from the sea come closer to shore and settlement( people's houses ) around and beyond. During intense rainy season with addition to the increasing sea level, flood becomes inevitable. 

The melting of ice caps and glacier in the north pole keeps dissolving and adding to the already existing sea level by increasing it's height, that is not the only cause of rise in sea level. The warming climate increases evaporation rate by channelling water vapour from the planetary surface( Land/Earth ) to the planetary atmosphere ( the skies ); hence, it continues to increase the sea level--------causing flooding, which displaces people from their houses, and cause ill health and environmental problems.

keywords: 

cfcs  ---- are chlorofluorocarbons is an organic compound that contains carbon, chlorine and fluorine.  It is widely used as a refrigerants for refrigerators, because of the damages it causes to the ozone layer, and has been replaced with hydro-fluorocarbons hcfs, although so many are still using the old refrigerators and other product that uses cfcs.

glaciers  ---- a dense body of ice that is constantly moving under its own weight as it forms accumulated snow.  Below are pictures to show .

A melting glacier
Photo credit: beforeitsnews.com

Ice cap
Photo credit: Climate change guide

<<------- Last post

If you find this post interesting, feel free to share using the social media share buttons below.

Read More

How we are the cause of global warming and climate change (pt 1). A four minutes read.

In the last post we talked a little about global warming and climate change, then towards the end i told you, that we are part of a problem, a contributor to the larger scale problem. Our burning of waste/bushes, deforestation and burning of fossil fuels( oil, natural gas and coal ) are chief culprits; not to forget our careless disposals of waste in an open dump-site. Okay let me explain briefly with picture illustration.

photo credit: ppsthane.com

 

The market trader

Disposes waste openly on the road side and at times burn it, which in turn emits carbon and turns waste into ash and heat, which are added to already existing green house gases ghg; and in turn thickens the planet atmosphere. One more addition is the fact that some of this waste are wash off when it rains into streams and ground water, which are later consumed by the municipal people and in turn harmful to public health.

The daily auto mobile emission from different exhaust 

The trucks, buses, trailers and cars emit carbon dioxide and water vapour when engine are working properly and the carbon is been oxidized, but discharges carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and soot ( the black stuff that comes out like a smoke ) during incomplete combustion, which is as a result of carbon not been oxidized or engines not well serviced. Aside the degrading and warming potential of these gases, the carbon-monoxide gas is toxic to human health when exposed. Imagine the health implication of people that are constantly been exposed to the every day traffic like that of major cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Los Angeles, and New York.

We the people

We continue to be responsible for the global environmental problems, like the floods, hot temperature, acid rain and death in so many agricultural produce and ocean life. We live our every day life ignorant of the problems that the generations before our generation has cause to the environment, and the problems that we too have help in creating. We only fear disease, war and terrorism. Which to an extent is reasonable and because we  frequently see the casualties through the media, we watch the chaos in Syria and Sudan and also see the Boko haram, Isis, Taliban, Al-shabaab constitute serious threats and damages to the society, and also we see campaigns like #Bringbackourgirls #Prayforparis and say to ourselves that this are major threats; well! they are as well but still, lets put this on the table.

 The threats that global warming and climate change present is one that is constantly increasing the temperature of the earth, and you know with intense heat comes fire. Imagine the catastrophe, not even five to ten nuclear bombs would be compared to the direct sun radiation that would occur when the planet ozone layer would be completely or severely degraded. There are so many ways we can contribute to environmental degradation with out been aware, we often degrade our health and the environment by our misappropriate waste management methods, burning of charcoal, bushes, refuse and properties, not to forget often our disposal of liquid waste into gutters that leads to canals. At times this canal run into streams, that later becomes accessible to an individual at the other end. Cases like typhoid, diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery and so on --- are diseases and illness caused by polluted water. We are, our environmental problems. As custodians of the environment around us, we affect it in so many ways possible, a little awareness goes a long way to alert everyone of the problems on ground as many are ignorant of this. More light would be thrown on the next environmental post. If you find this post enlightening, feel free to share using the social media icons below. Until your next read, enjoy.

--------->>Next post

Read More

Global warming and the climate change phenomena. A four read.

This is a typical gas flaring activity occurring in a community. It emits carbon, methane, nitrogen, sulphur and major gases contributing to global warming and climate change. This doesn't just degrade the environment, it causes upset to the ecosystem, and also it impact negatively to water, food, comfort, health and security. 

We won't be talking about this problems on this post but in future post. This post would be an introduction to global warming and climate change in its simplest form, and also the term radiation and heat would be use interchangeably, so please don't be confused for they mean the same thing in this context.

You must have heard or still hearing about continuous increase in the average temperature of the earth's climatic system and how much degradation is been done to the environment. To an average person, this is gibberish and as so many would say all this are elements of debate, and that the world environmentalist, ecologist, N.G.O, activist, and scientist are using it to keep job afloat and seem relevant, but this is not the case. I would tell a story to convey my message.

" The earth was a virgin, free from pollution, emissions, waste, and all man made poisons inflicted as a result of over exploited development. It was a place that came with its own default setting. The earth was free from anthropogenic degradation ( ruins by man ). 

The atmosphere contain gases known as the green house gases GHG. This gases absorbs heat in the day and emit it at night, when the temperature is low. This is the reason we survive at night when the temperature is extremely low and on this, man kind have survive all through many years and climate, had it stay this way, the world will not have been in this mess".---- Now lets talk about how it all went wrong.

Our predecessors and those before them, have always look for ways to make life much easier and venture into production, from developing the olden horse chariots for transportation and later replacing it with fuel motor auto-mobiles, to reduction of strenuous man labour to creating machine equipments for work. Man kind has been blessed with knowledge and expertise for improvement and development, so man continue in its quest for dominance, adventure, enterprise and power. 

During the industrial revolution( 18th - 19th century), the continuous exploitation broke a bridge between man and environment. How! you asked; well let me explain. During production and energy use, carbon is been emitted to the atmosphere, adding up to already existing carbon in the atmosphere. Methane, Nitrous Oxide, CFCs, Sulphur and Carbon-dioxide are emitted adding to already existing GHG in the atmosphere. Now! something happens------The atmosphere continues to carry more and more of this green house gases and in turn absorbs more heat to be emitted back down to earth surface to warm us at night, which in turn does not have any means of releasing heat out from its warmed-up surface. 

This continues, as more heat are later send back at night adding to already existing heat on the earth. The whole process of heat adding up to previous heat on earth, and continuous heating of the planet surface is called global warming, and the continuous variation in temperature increment resulting in different measurement in hotness and other climatic conditions is called climate change, and also when radiation from the atmosphere warms the planet surface to a temperature above what it would be, absence of its atmosphere, that is called the green house effect. You and i are also responsible for this. How? would let you know on my next post. Until your next read, enjoy.

photo credit: azbenga.wordpress.com

Read More

The international day for zero tolerance of female genitalia mutilation F.G.M. A five minutes read.

The 6th of February every year has been set aside as a day for zero tolerance of female genital mutilation or circumcision FGM ( World Wide ). The female genital mutilation is an unjust and unlawful act inflicted on girls and women globally, often as a result of traditional, cultural and a few religious beliefs.

photo credit: Instagram

There is need for abolition of this unhealthy practice. An approach that involves legislation, health care professional organizations, empowerment of the women in the society, and education of the general public at all levels with emphasis on dangers and disgust of the FGM.

According to the US National Library of Medicine, Nigeria due to its large population has the highest absolute number of female genital mutilation (FGM) worldwide, accounting for about one-quarter of the estimated 115–130 million circumcised women in the world.

Though FGM is practice in a lot of countries in Africa and a few scattered communities worldwide, its burden is seen in Nigeria, Egypt, Mali, Eritrea, Sudan, Central African Republic, and northern part of Ghana where it has been an old traditional and cultural practice of various ethnic groups. The highest prevalence rates are found in Somalia and Djibouti where FGM is virtually universally.

FGM is a practice whose origin and significance seem to be in secrecy, uncertainty, and confusion.The origin of FGM is birth with controversy either as an initiation ceremony of young girls into womanhood or to ensure virginity and curb promiscuity, or to protect female modesty and innocence.The ritual has been so widespread that it could not have risen from a single origin.

This ritual of FGM as i read is classified into four types or method, and have so many health and life threatening implications in time to come, as a female you have a whole life time to face this problems. I strongly suggest you look that up on wiki ,  bing or google. 

In Nigeria basically all the ethnic groups practice it except for the Fulanis, as they do not practice any form at all. FGM varies from country to country, tribes, religion, and from one state and cultural setting to another, and no continent in the world has been exempted. In most parts of Nigeria, it is carried out at a very young age (minors) and there is no possibility of the individual's consent. Its like giving a child tattoo when he/she is not of age to make that decision.

FGM is recognized worldwide as a fundamental violation of the human rights of girls and women. It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women. 

It involves violation of rights of the children and violation of a person's right to health, security, and physical integrity, the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and the right to life when the procedure results in death. Furthermore, girls usually undergo the practice without their informed consent, depriving them of the opportunity to make independent decision about their bodies.

 It is very clear that there is no single benefit derived from FGM.

• Join the movement to say “NO” to save the future generations of women.
• Enquire about the practice in your locality and give clear information and education to other people on the health effects of FGM.
• And if it is in your power discuss with your law makers or local representatives on making laws against FGM.

Support families and communities in their efforts to abandon the practice and to improve care for those who have undergone FGM. Every one has the right to decisions concerning their life and well being and is never in the hands of parents, community, custom to make that decision; it is one thing to preserve custom and tradition as it has always been a guidance back to roots and norm, but it is another thing to endanger an individuals life to promote and preserve such fetishes.

Read More

The effect of using the traditional cooking stove and how much it affects you and the environment. A four minutes read.

The kerosene fuelled stove is commonly used in developing countries of the world. The particular type on display is popular in Nigeria. Over the years people of the past and present have relied on this traditional method of cooking, ranging from the local farmer, teacher, trader, plumber and in most homes found in the urban areas in Nigeria; as this makes-up 80% of the cooking population--i am guessing, is not an actual statistics.

The use of this stove is efficient for heating to most people, not forgetting. it is cheap and economical for users; as money is utilized economically compared to alternative method--using the common man logic. Now! we have discuss the pros; lets get to the cons.

The use of this traditional stove is always associated with the emission of carbon monoxide co, which normally is odourless, colourless, tasteless and toxic, would definitely kill you when exposed over a long period of time in a confine space. The carbon monoxide comes to be as a result of incomplete combustion of carbon that is absent of oxygen.

Carbon monoxide exposure in homes above 70ppm can cause symptoms like: headache, fatigue, and nausea but sustained level above 150ppm can cause disorientation, unconsciousness, and death. Just imagine this happening in a poorly ventilated kitchen, as it is in most of our kitchens in Africa; well! you weigh the results.

 When it comes to exposure every one is at risk. Unborn babies, infants, the elderly and people with conditions like: chronic heart diseases, anaemia, or respiratory problems, as they are generally more at risk than others.

 Often noticed around cooking pot used in cooking with the traditional stoves; during or after cooking as a result of wrong setting of stove wick or any other part; as well as incomplete combustion of carbon, is the presence of black carbon or soot; a component of particulate matter.

 Black carbon apart from it's negative health impacts over the years, is among one of the many causes of climate change and happens to be number 2 in the carbon family to carbon-dioxide CO2 in the amount of heat trap in the atmosphere; which causes global warming, rise in sea level, flooding and other environmental disturbing problems and degradation. So needless to say, looking for a better  alternative methods of cooking doesn't just care for your health, it cares for the environment.

 If you find this post educating, please feel free to share using the social media icon below, you can as well connect to this platform using the social media icon above. Hope you visit again; until next time, enjoy.

Read More