From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
The Dean, Faculty of Earth and Environmental Studies, Professor Aliyu Salisu Barau, has described that ecological restoration as an opportunity to building peace in Africa.
Barau stated this in his address at the opening of 4th International Conference on Drylands and Food For West Africa Conference, organized by Centre for Deyland Agriculture, held in Bayero University Kano, BUK, in Kano on Tuesday.
Barau, who is the Chairman of the conference, noted that more than ever before, there is an urgent need for concerted efforts and funds to address ecological crises, hunger, food insecurity, extreme poverty and supporting the hard-to-reach populations of the region.
According to him, Africa, especially West Africa is currently embroiled in vulnerabilities and uncertainties that are unconnected to land degradation and climate change.
He added that many parts of the Sahel belt are considered as ground zero for climate change, explaining that “this is simply because drylands cover-45% of the Earth’s land area and accommodate 40% of its human population, many of whom live in extreme poverty.
“Drylands have limited capacities to adapt and are particularly vulnerable to myriad forms of risks and stressors. The IPCC’s AR7 and many others reveal that surface warming in drylands has been higher than the global average, and temperatures could rise by up to 4 degree Celsius in more extreme emissions scenarios,” he said.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is a common knowledge that our region, the West Africa is currently embroiled in vulnerabilities, uncertainties and ambiguities not unconnected to land degradation and climate change.
“Ecological restoration is an opportunity for building peace. More than ever before, there is an urgent need for concerted efforts and funds to address ecological crises, hunger, food insecurity, extreme poverty and supporting the hard-to-reach populations of the region,” Mr Barau said.
