The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that the Nigeria Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC, 2023) report indicates that Nigeria ranks as the second worst country globally on the Children’s Climate Risk Index.
UNICEF chief of the Kano field office, Mr Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, announced this during the commemoration of World Environment Day 2024, themed, “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience.”
Farah said, “Today, we gather to celebrate World Environment Day, 2024, an occasion that calls us to reflect on the state of our planet and to recommit ourselves to the cause of environmental preservation. This year’s theme is of utmost importance as we confront the growing challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation. The health of our land is fundamental to our well-being. It is the foundation of our agriculture, the source of our water, and the bedrock of our ecosystems. Yet, around the globe, we are witnessing unprecedented levels of land degradation.”
He highlighted the severe impacts of desertification and drought, which are turning fertile soil into deserts and reducing productivity in many regions, including North -West, Nigeria.
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“Globally, 40 per cent of the world’s population is impacted by land degradation, and millions are directly affected by droughts annually. In Nigeria, where over 100 million children live, environmental degradation threatens their health, education, and overall wellbeing. According to the UNICEF Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC, 2023) report, Nigeria ranks second worst in the world on the Children’s Climate Risk Index.”
Farah pointed out that children suffer the most from environmental degradation. When land becomes infertile and water sources dry up, children face food insecurity, malnutrition and water scarcity, conditions that stifle their growth and development.
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