Nigeria Seeks Ways To Prevent Billions Of Dollars In Tourism Losses To Climate C

Climate change will have significant long-term impacts on tourism in Nigeria. This situation is further exacerbated by rising CO2 emissions and global temperatures, which are changing tourist destinations and behavior. ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE investigates that the entire country fears losing billions of dollars and many lives to climate change. The article suggests that immediate implementation of measures to reduce carbon emissions, promote environmentally friendly behavior, invest in renewable energy and support sustainable transport is not a dream

Titilayo Oshodi expressed concern that Nigeria stands to lose billions of dollars if the impact of climate change on Nigeria’s tourism industry is not addressed. She noted that Lagos State alone has suffered economic losses of about $22 billion to $25 billion. The adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy disclosed this at the 36th Platform Nigeria.

After a prolonged period of unusually high monthly average temperatures, 2024 is expected to be the warmest year since weather records began. A report by Abuja-based think tank Agora Policy revealed in 2023 that, while it had been known for some time, Nigeria could lose $460 billion by 2050, and this would affect tourism much due to climate change if necessary adaptation and mitigation measures are not taken.

“The cumulative economic cost to Nigeria of climate change is estimated to be about $100 billion,” the 84-page report says that “climate change could cost Nigeria trillions of dollars in stranded assets. The think tank warned that aside from economic losses of over $100 billion, Africa’s largest economy could even lose trillions of dollars in much-needed investments, not only in tourism but also in manufacturing, construction, and oil and gas sectors, especially as the world is “trending towards a green economy.”

Oshodi was concerned that weather changes would affect agriculture, also. She wanted the country to invest in the issue and tackle sectors such as solar energy, and green manufacturing, which would boost tourism in the country. On Monday, March 11, 2024, the Taraba State Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Hajia Aishat A. Barde, accompanied by the CEO of Sunvilla Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Pam, visited the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Laura Ade John on the same issue.

There are various estimates of the impact of travel and tourism on carbon emissions, but a recent study estimated that travel and tourism have an 8% impact on global carbon emissions. The visitors were interested in building relationships with the federal ministry and state government to work on projects that would promote local tourism, reduce carbon emissions, and boost the state economy.

Their proposal was for “Ecotourism and Natural Resource Management” in Gashaka Gumti National Park. Barde highlighted the various environmental, social, and economic benefits of this project, especially its ability to conserve biodiversity while promoting community participation. Minister John expressed joy and gusto for the development of projects to boost domestic tourism.

Considered Africa’s economic capital and most populous city, analysts said that Lagos is deeply marked by its colonial past, making it a troubling example of how historical injustice further complicates current climate challenges. Data shows that the city faces a series of environmental threats, including rising sea levels, relentless flooding, and increasing urban heat island effect, all further exacerbated by ongoing neo-colonial influences reflected in its governance and infrastructure.

Speaking to reporters at the UN Headquarters in New York in June, Mohammed Malick Fall, the UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, highlighted the alarming impacts of climate change. There are fears that the probability of the global average temperature exceeding 1.5°C will rise to almost 50% in the next five years from 2022 to 2026. Georgetown University biologist Colin Carlson, in a recent commentary in the journal Nature Medicine, used a decades-old formula to calculate that warming since 2000 has already affected 4 million people worldwide in deaths from malnutrition, floods, diarrhea, malaria, and cardiovascular diseases alone.

Nigeria is currently experiencing. climate-related shocks that are leading to displacement and conflict, Fall said. Particular emphasis was placed on conflict between farmers and ranchers over dwindling resources. This conflict is further exacerbated by the climate crisis, forcing pastoralists communities to leave their traditional lands and migrate in search of better grazing opportunities. According to a 2022 World Bank analysis, increasing climate change is causing more intense and unseasonable rainfall in Nigeria, bridging tourism. In addition to soil erosion, flash floods, landslides, and erosion are increasing in the country, one of the 10 countries most affected by climate change. Making tourism difficult, an estimated 6,000 cases of erosion had destroyed roads, highways, pipelines, and homes in rural and urban Nigeria since 2009.

The source added that many Nigerians live in fear and despair because of these extreme weather events. Emmanuel Falayi and Dasauki Musa of Babcock University, Ogun State, said in their May paper, “Impact of Climate Change on Tourism in East Africa,” East Africa’s tourism industry is crucial to the local economy as it ensures the livelihood of people who visit in their millions and focus on their natural and cultural heritage.

But it faces increasing threats from climate change, which impacts its sustainability and competitiveness. They used the CS-ARDL methodology on panel data from 1992 to 2022 to study the impact of climate change on tourism in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. According to their findings, the results suggest that carbon emissions have a negative impact on tourism. However, the coefficient is statistically significant at the 1 percent level at 0.001. Relative humidity at 2 meters also has a negative impact with a coefficient of 0.895, but this is significant at the 10 percent level.

Their study concludes that climate change has significant long-term impacts on tourism in these countries. This situation is further exacerbated by rising CO2 emissions and global temperatures, which are changing tourist destinations and behavior. They said there is an immediate need to implement measures to reduce carbon emissions, promote environmentally friendly behavior, invest in renewable energy, and support sustainable transport.

Professionals revealed that like in those countries, Nigeria is a country with over 200 ethnic groups, each with their own language, customs, and traditions. These diverse cultures and traditions are an important part of Nigerian heritage, and their preservation is crucial to the country’s socio-cultural development. Preserving culture is essential to maintaining the society’s identity and uniqueness and to improving tourism.

They added that when travel expectations are low or travel distances are long, people are more likely to cancel trips, look for safer destinations, or change the time of travel. Extreme weather events increase operational costs and reduce the number of tourists visiting certain destinations, while cities and countries around the world are introducing local and national environmental policies and penalties.

Experts said that ecotourism and cultural tourism go hand in hand in terms of promoting the appreciation and preservation of cultural heritage. “Ecotourism offers tourists an opportunity to experience local culture and customs while enjoying the natural beauty of a destination.

“By promoting ecotourism, Nigeria can attract tourists who wish to experience the country’s diverse cultural heritage and promote cultural preservation.

Ecotourism also promotes the development of value-added cultural products such as traditional crafts and cultural performances,” they said.

According to the stakeholders, serious attention has not been given to the development of tourism in Nigeria, but the possible impact of global warming cannot be avoided. Climate change is said to be inevitable, but at the same time, it may also affect the spread of diseases among people.

The results also showed the adverse effects of climate warming, such as worsening air quality and increased risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths.

“The possible increase in frequency and intensity of extreme phenomena (floods, droughts, storms, etc.) that threaten people’s safety and health was highlighted and discussed, by the university dons. Dr. Joseph Onoja, a Technical Head, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), as of Saturday, October 10, 2020, said ecotourism has the potential to change the country’s economy forever.

According to him, if Nigeria consciously protects natural habitats across the country, it could join the likes of Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa, which earn millions of dollars annually from bird watching. The Honorable Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, released a report assessing climate change and health threats in Nigeria and pledged to work towards building resilient systems to address the impacts of climate change across Nigeria.

Professor Pate released the report on the final day of intensive interactive sessions and fruitful discussions of the 2024 Joint Annual Conference on Health that was held from 6th to 8th November 2024. He reiterated that the Ministry of Health has collaborated with the President to launch a four-point plan to transform the health sector, in which health security is the fourth pillar in the fight against climate change, as he noted, poses health threats. Tourism has inherent advantages to adopting a sustainable approach, including controlling catastrophic global warming. Experts noted there are ways to reduce tourism’s carbon footprint by avoiding flying to nearby destinations.

Travelers should book direct flights to explore destinations, fly economy class, pack light, travel slowly, and choose efficient transport modes. According to the United Nations, climate change refers to long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns. Such changes are natural and can be caused by changes in solar activity or large volcanic eruptions. “Nigeria is at risk of being stranded,” the report warned. “Climate change could further jeopardize Nigeria’s economic development and alter Nigeria’s geographic, social, and political development for decades to come.”

Checks revealed that Carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases are the main causes of global warming. Climate change cannot be stopped, but its progression can be slowed, said experts. To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, government officials said they must achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner.

Stakeholders argued that traditional concepts of tourism development should be abandoned to promote sustainable tourism and maximize the associated benefits. To achieve this, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in a statement pledged to intensify campaigns in schools and universities to engage young people in the implementation of reform policies to combat climate change and the greenhouse effect towards sustainable environmental growth that helps tourism.

Onwumere is Chairman, Advocacy Network On Religious And Cultural Coexistence (ANORACC)