Climate Change for Sustainable Development: The Imperative of Indigenous Language Approach as a Remedy

Main Article Content

Mercy O. Erhun

Abstract

Human activities have continued to increase the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases resulting in additional warming of the earth’s surface and the general atmosphere. One of the major threats to the global order in the present century is climate change. Climate change is one of the most important menaces to earth’s biodiversity, natural resources, poverty eradication etc., posing a threat to livelihoods and poverty reduction. The abounding evidence of global climate change can no longer be ignored. There is therefore the need to reinforce the management of risk as well as proactive actions in addressing climate change issues. Considering the negative impact of the menace of climate change on development, the ecosystem and mankind, this work appraises those measures put in place to checkmate the rising tide of greenhouse gas emission. To this end, this paper will study Nigeria’s environmental legal framework which will enable Nigeria’s ecosystem to naturally adapt to climate change that will lead to sustainable economic development. This paper found that Nigeria is ill-prepared to combat the challenges of climate change. Existing legal and institutional frameworks for the regulation of climate change in Nigeria are in fragmented forms while laws and implementation strategies for environmental protection concerning climate change in Nigeria are incoherent. This paper also found that there are no effective infrastructures to monitor and enforce climate change issues and that indigenous people are not well acquainted with the threats posed by climate change as a result of lack of effective communication posed by language barrier. This poses a challenge to the slogan of “acting for the long-term in a short-term world.” This paper concludes that there is an urgent need for a comprehensive framework that will create adequate awareness of the challenges of climate change, inclusively, to ensure proper understanding of citizens, so as to effectively regulate climate change in Nigeria. Hence, the indigenous language approach of this paper.

Article Details

How to Cite
Erhun, M. O. (2019). Climate Change for Sustainable Development: The Imperative of Indigenous Language Approach as a Remedy. African Journal of Stability & Development, 12(1), 54-86. https://doi.org/10.53982/ajsd.2019.1201.03-j
Section
Articles

References

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
2. See Paragraph 14 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
3. Council for Foreign Affairs, 2008, p. 20.
4. Niang, I & Ruppel, C. O. et. al. (2014) Africa In: C. B. Field, V. R. Baroos et al
(eds.) (2014). Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability:
Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridege: Cambridge
University Press, pp. 1199-1265.
5. African Development Bank, 2017. Indicators on Gender, Poverty, the
Environment and Progress Towards the Sustainable Development Goals in
African Countries, Abidjan, African Development Bank, available at http://
www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Publications/
GENDER_Poverty_and_Environmental_Indicators_on_African_Countries2017
pdf accessed on 17/05/2018.
6. Central Intelligence Agency (C. I. A.) (2001) World Fact-Book available at
http:/www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-facebook/geos/ni.html
Accessed 13/09/2011.
7. United Nations General Assembly Resolution (2015) “Transforming Our World:
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”
8. Natufe, O. I. (2001) “The Problematic of Sustainable Development of Sustainable
Development and Corporate Social Responsibility: Policy Implications for the
Niger Delta,” Conference Paper delivered at the Second Annual Conference and
General Meeting of Urhobo Historical Society, Denville, New Jersey, USA, Nov. 2-
4 2001 p. 2 http://www.urhobo.kinsfolk. com.
9. United Nations Global Compact (2016).
10. See the Summary for Policymakers of the IPCC Special Report on Global
Warming of 1.5 Degree Celsius Approved by Governments of 2018.
11. Mbada, K. A. et al (2016) “Climate Change Policies and Programmes in Nigeria: A
Review” In: Aluko, M. A. O. (Ed.) (2016) Environment and Sustainable Development
in the 21st Century” Ife Social Sciences Review, Journal of the Faculty of Social
Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria pp. 189 -213.
12. UNESCO Bangkok (2012) “Why Language Matters for the Millennium
Development Goals available at https://nesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/
002152/215296 e.pdf.
13. Romaine, S. (2013) Keeping the Promise of the Millennium Development Goals:
Why Language Matters. Applied Linguistics Review, 4(1) 1-21 available at
https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/air.2013.issue-1/applirev-2013-0001/
apprerev-20130001.xmll.
14. Ugwu, , E. O. (2017) “Promoting Nigerian Languages Beyond the 21st Century: Problems
and Prospect” In: Fakeye, D. O. , Oladunjoye, S. A. O., Alade, I. A. Kayode-Olawoyin, B.
O., Bateye, O. R. Olatunji, S. O. and Jayeona, O. S. (Eds.) (2017) Further Thoughts on
Language, Education, and the Curriculum Nexus for Sustainable Development in
Nigeria, Constellation Books, Ibadan, Nigeria, p. 120
15. Bamgbose, A. (2011) African Languages Today: The Challenge of and
Prospects of Empowerment Under Globalisation available at http://
.lingref.com/cpp/acal/40/paper2561.pdf
16. Amokaye G. Oludayo, (2004) Environmental Law and Practice in Nigeria,
University of Lagos Press, Lagos, p. 405.
17. United States Environmental Protection Agency (2008)
18. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
19. Kneeling. C.D. (1998) Rewards and Penalties for Monitoring the Earth. Ann
Rev. Energy Environ., 23, 2582
20. Okorodudu-Fubara, M, T. Law of Environmental Protection, Calpot
Publications (Nig) Ltd., 1998 p. 537
21. Okorodudu-Fubara, T. Margaret (2012) A Paper Presented at the 5th Princie Bola
Ajibola (SAN) Annual Lecture Under the Auspices of the Magna Curia Chambers,
Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile–Ife, Osun State at pp. 8– 9.
22. Oliver C. R. (2018) “Aspects of International Climate Change Law and Policy
from an African Perspective’’ In Oliver C. Ruppel and Emmanuel D. Kam Yogo
(2018) Environmental Law and Policy in Cameroon – Towards Making Africa
the Tree of Life. Nomos Verlagsgeselleschaft mbH
23. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, (2014) Synthesis Report
Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report
of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change at p. 13 available at http:/
/www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/SYR_AR5_FINAL_full.pdf
Accessed on May 17, 2018.
24. World Bank and United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
(2017), The Potential of the Blue Economy: Increasing Long-Term Benefits of
the Sustainable Use of Marine Resources for Small Island Developing States
and Coastal Least Developed Countries. World Bank, Washington DC.
25. Oliver C. R. (2013) “Climate Change Law and Policy Positions in the African
Union and Related Developments in Selected African Countries ’’ In: Oliver
C. Ruppel, Christian Roschmann and Katherina Ruppel-Schlichting (2013)
Climate Change: International Law and Global Governance. Nomos
Verlagsgeselleschaft mbH
26. Parry M. L. et al (2007) Technical Summary, Climate Change 2007: Impacts,
Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the
Forth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K. 23-78
27. Amari, O. (2018) Nigerian Conservation Law and International Environmental
Treaties. Princeton & Associate Publishing Co. Ltd. Lagos at p. 342.
28. Gore, A (2007) Acceptance for the Nobel Prize, The Guardian, December 11
2007.
29. 2016 Climate Change Vulnerability Report
30. Adewuyi, (2011) Ibadan Flood Disaster: A Wake-Up Call on Government,
Nigerian Tribune, Wednesday 21st September, 2011 p. 16.
31. See the 2017 Revision of the United Nations World Population Prospects,
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)(2017)
32. Preamble to the Declaration on the Right to Development, U.N. Doc. A/
41L153 (1986).
33. Okorosaye-Orubite, A.K. (2005) The Role of the Teacher in the Development of
the Nigerian Nation. Journal of Research in Education 2 (1 and 2), 41-45 p. 42
34. United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
35. Agenda 21 Chapter 36
36. Principle 1 of Rio Declaration
37. World Commission on Environment and Development
38. United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) Flagship
Report (2016) “Policy Innovation for Transformative Change: Implementing
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” available at www/unrisd,org.
39. Ojakorotu, V. and Olaopa, O. (2016) “Climate-Change, Environmental Degradation
in the Niger Delta and the Sustainable Development Approach: Myth or Reality”
In: Aluko, M. A. O. (Ed.) (2016) Environment and Sustainable Development in the
21st Century” Ife Social Sciences Review, Journal of the Faculty of Social
Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria pp. 177 - 188
40. Kenya National Climate Change Policy Framework of 2016
41. Salami A. T. (2009), Space Applications and Ecological Hemorrhage: The
Nigerian Experience 220 Inaugural Lecture of the Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
42. Dahiru Kuta, (2011) Climate Change: Effects on Nigeria’s Geopolitical Zones,
Nigerian Tribune, Wednesday 21st September, 2011 p. 40.
43. A Report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations (2013) “A Life of
Dignity For All: Accelerating Progress Towards the Millennium Development
Goals and Advancing The United Nations Development Agenda Beyond
2015” Published in the Sixty-Eight Session of the United Nations General
Assembly as a Follow up to the Outcome of the Millennium Summit.
44. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2014 at p. 125.
45. Article 3(2) of the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate.
46. Article 3(1) of the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate.
47. Articles 3(3) and 4(1)(f) of the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate.
48. Article 3(4) of the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate.
49. Article 4(1)(b) of the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate.
50. Council of State 2844/1993.
51. Principle 3 of Stockholm Declaration.
52. Principle 6 of Stockholm Declaration.
53. These principles include the principle of carrying capacity, the principle of
obligatory restoration of disturbed ecosystem, the principle of biodiversity etc.
54. Article 2 of the Kyoto Protocol.
55. The 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change.
56. The Green New Deal.
57. 40th Session of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning
and Economic Development
58. United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Sustainable Development:
Protection of Global Climate for Present and Future Generations of
Mankind. The United Nations General Assembly.
59. 1992 United Nations Framework on Climate Change.
60. Attorney General v. P.Y.A. Quarries Ltd. (1957) O.B. 169 at 184.
61. Rochester v. Ilford Corporation (1981) A.C. 1001.
62. Graham Otoko & Ors. vs. SPDC Nig. Ltd. (1990) 6 NWLR (Pt. 159) 693.
63. Rylands v. Fletcher (1868) L.R 3H.L 330 Per Blackburn J.
64. Umudje v. shell BP (1975) NSC 155.
65. See the Fundamental Directive Principles of State Policy (Chapter II Section
20) of the 1999 Constitution.
66. Section 247 of the Nigerian Criminal Code
67. Section 245 of the Code.
68. Olomola O. A. (1998) Nigeria’s Environmental Laws – A Critical Review of
Main Principles, Policy and Practice published in Law Centre, Faculty of Law
Lagos State University p. 20.
69. Section 1 of the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Decree (NURPD) 88
of 1992.
70. Article 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
71. Principle 17 of Rio Declaration..
72. With effect from March 1991.
73. Okon, E. E. (u.d.) “Legal Framework of Environmental Impact Assessment in
Nigeria”, Modern Practice Journal of Finance and Investment Law, Vol. 5 p.
216.
74. Section 1 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act 1992.
75. Section 1(2)(a) and (b) Oil in Navigable Waters Act, Cap 06, LFN 2004
76. Oluwole, A. (1991) Pollution Control Regulation in the Nigerian Oil Industry,
Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), at p, 3.
77. Section 14(a) of the Oil Pipelines Act.
78. Section 14(e) of the Act.
79. Long title to Associated Gas Re-Injection Act.
80. As stipulated in Section 2 of the National Environmental Protection (Effluent
Limitation) Regulation of 1991.
81. Section 1 and 2 of the Harmful Wastes (Special Criminal Provisions etc.) Act
1988 Now CAP H1 LFN, 2004.
82. Cap F 10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. 2004.
83. Section 4, Federal Environmental Protection Agency Act 59, 1992.
84. Section 9 of FEPA Act.
85. See Explanatory Memorandum of the Act.
86. Section 1(2)(a) of the Act.
87. Section 2 of the Act.
88. Section 20(1) (a – f) of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations
Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Act, 2007.
89. Section 11.0(b) of the National Policy on the Environment.
90. Section 4.5(b) of the Policy.
91. Soremekun, K. and Obadare, E. (1998) “Politics of Oil Corporations in
PostColonial Nigeria” Ken Saro Wiwa and the Crisis of the Nigerian State,
a CDHR Special Publication at p. 46.
92. Paragraph 2 of the National Policy on the Environment (1989).
93. Policy Goal of the National Polity on the Environment.
94. Ibid.
95. The Seven Point Agenda a.k.a. Second National Economic Empowerment
and Development Strategy (2008-2011) National Planning Commission, Abuja
( Draft) p. 273.
96. The Seven Point Agenda a.k.a. Second National Economic Empowerment
and Development Strategy (2008-2011) National Planning Commission, Abuja
( Draft) p. 277.
97. Ibid p. 276.
98. Ibid.
99. National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) of
Nigeria, National Planning Commission. Abuja 2004 p. 7.
100. Ibid at p. xix.
101. Erhun, M. O. (2007) The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the
Socio-Economic Policies of Nigeria: A Legal Perspective. Unpublished
Seminar Paper Presented in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the
Award of the Degree of Master of Philosophy in Law (M.Phil), Faculty of
Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. p. 9.
102. Olorode, O. (2018) “The Humanistic Origin of Modern Science” Ife Journal
of the Institute of Cultural Studies Vol. 13 pp. 1-15.
103. Christie, F. (2005) Classroom Discourse Analysis: A Functional Perspective,
Continuum, New York.
104. Christie, F. (2005) Language Education in the Primary Years. UNSW, Sydney,
Australia.
105. Sarvaes, J. and Lui, S. (Eds.) (2007) New Approaches in Communication and
Community Development, Moving Targets: Mapping the Paths Between
Communication, Technology and Social Change in Communities,
Southbound, Penang, Malaysia.
106. Ibrahim, M. & Umar A. (2018) ‘’Indigenous Languages and the Question of
Development in Postcolonial Africa: Focus on Nigeria,’’ International Journal
of Scientific and Research Publications Vol. 8 Issue 12 pp. 41-49.
107. Crystal, D. (2000) Language Death Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
108. Banjo, A. (2010) “The Centrality of Language: A Key Note Address,’’ Journal
of Research in Nigerian English and Literature, 8 , pp. 4-13
109. Everett, D. (2012) Language: The Cultural Tool. Profile Books, London.
110. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 2015. Uncovering Pathways
Towards an Inclusive Green Economy. A Summary for Leaders. Nairobi
available at UNEP. http://www.unep.org/greeneconomy/Portals/88/
documents/GEI%20Highlights/IGE_NARRATIVE_SUMMARY.pdf.
111. Gro Harlem Brundtland (1987) World Commission on Environment and
Development at p. 8
112. Chimhundu, H. (Ed.) (1997) Language Policies in Africa. Intergovernmental
Conference on Language Policies in Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe. Final Report
( Revised) Harare: (UNESCO) at p. 51,
113. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 2017.
114. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2016 Human Development
Report 2016. Human Development For Everyone available at http://
hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/2016_human development report.pdf.
115. Bamgbose, A. (2011) African Languages Today: The Challenge of and
Prospects of Empowerment Under Globalisation available at http://
.lingref.com/cpp/acal/40/paper2561.pdf 116. The Presidency, MDGs Nigeria
(2015)