Lagos community unites against climate change

-Urge rapid transition to clean energy

September 20, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

Members of the Ajegunle community gathered for a People’s Assembly on Climate Change, joining the global chorus of voices demanding action during the Global Week of Action on Climate (GWAC).

The assembly drew a diverse crowd of approximately 70 participants, representing various social groups, including women, youths, persons with disabilities, and men.

The passionate discussions centered around the Nigerian Government’s inadequate investment in renewable energy sources, leaving most households reliant on fossil fuels.

Participants criticized the corporate capture of fossil fuels, which prioritizes profits for a select few over the well-being of the majority, exacerbating climate injustice.

“The poor and working masses are bearing the brunt of the climate crisis, while corporations and individuals reap billions in profits,” Abiose Abdulgafar, one of the community youths stated.

He added “It’s time for us to demand change.”

Al’so speaking, a community leader who want to remain anonymous said, “It is just unthinkable that while the climate crisis continues to rage, what we have seen is the continued lack of willingness on the part of those who occupy the seats of Government and the corporations that have profited over the years from fossil fuels to invest in sustainable alternative energy sources like solar and wind, which would make them available and accessible.

“We need to move very speedily away from the reliance on fossil fuels to sustainable alternatives, and obviously, we must build a massive climate justice movement to mount pressure on governments and corporations to transit rapidly and justly into a sustainable future” the source mentioned.

However, the assembly concluded with a united call to action to mobilize communities to demand change and hold corporations and governments accountable and also prioritize people’s interests over profits.

The community demands speedy promotion of renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.