GSKi NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON CLIMATE CHANGE

BACKGROUND

 
Climate Change refers to a significant and long-term changes in weather patterns that affect human’s lives due to poor management of conserving nature around us. The global climate is the connected system of sun, earth, oceans, wind, rain, snow, forests, deserts and savannas, and everything people do.
The continuous rise in world’s population and blooming industrialization has led to increased energy consumption. Over 80% of the energy are from the non-renewable fossil fuels which causes emission of greenhouse gases that are responsible for climate change. For example, carbon dioxide (CO2) emission increased by 410 million tonnes to a record high of 37.4 gigatonnes in 2023. The effects of this are drastic change in climatic conditions, warmer temperatures, health risks, shortage of food, amongst others.
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PROBLEM STATEMENT

Climate change causes unpredictable weather patterns and it is also related to other damaging weather events such as more frequent and intense hurricanes, floods, downpours, winter, and storms. Therefore, climate change can easily affect the health, safety, education, and overall well-being of children. It has been reported that children’s exposure to these adverse weather conditions and uncertainties has highly contributed to the high rate of developmental, emotional, and nutritional challenges in them.
Since children’s immune system is at the developmental stage, and they can easily suffer from respiratory diseases, malnutrition, infectious diseases, heat stress, or even death because of air contamination (allergens), food shortages, water scarcity, high temperatures caused by climate change. Beyond these, they can experience psychological trauma from extreme weather-related disasters or displacement/migration as a result flood. Also, floods and prolonged drought can cause school disruptions and reduce children’s enrolment in school. Their academic performance can be hindered by malnutrition and poor health.

PURPOSE OF THE SYMPOSIUM

campaigns

active education

Providing vital information regarding available resources to meet their needs, including education, health and other support services

Essential provision

Providing food, clothing, hygiene products, blankets and other comfort items

professional counseling

Harm reduction counseling to address the risk associated with street life.

Since the causes of climate change are largely human activities, like burning fossil fuels, natural gas, oil, and coal and we understand that our actions as human is already taking a toll on children’s safety, education, and healthcare, we need a change of culture or pattern to limit our contribution to climate change.
  • The purpose of this symposium is to sensitize and create awareness to the public through our audience on the impacts of climate change on children.
  • Advocate for policies that address climate change and protect children.
  • Advocate for provision early warning systems and climate-related disruptions programs that specifically consider the needs of children.
  • Advocate for better healthcare systems and mental health services to respond to climate change related diseases and trauma in children.
  • To learn and advocate for exploring alternative options that reduces human contributions to climate change by switching to sustainable practices.

OUTLINE OF THE SYMPOSIUM

Going through the background and problem statement, GSK Initiative Nigeria is moved at the rate at which climate change can affects children in the society.
As a result of this, GSKi Nigeria deems it fit to celebrate her yearly programme tagged “GSKi WEEK on End to Violence against Children” with this year’s topic: The Impact of Climate Change on Children. This programme will take place at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Ibrahim Babangida Boulevard, Oke – Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
This symposium is part of the programme outline to commemorate this year’s GSKi week, which will include presentations and interactive session from our various guest speakers and the audience.
These guests who are experts in their individual field will present 30minutes lecture on climate change, so also the climatologist and bio geographer will have their presentations on ecosystem and the impact of climate change on human lives especially children, who are vulnerable to the effect and damage cause by climate change.
The second phase of the programme will be for the members of audience, as they will be given the platform after the speakers’ presentations to share their experiences, knowledge, observation and raise questions.
The speakers will later become panellists after their presentations, and address the questions asked by the audience.

Our Audience

The expected number of participants for the symposium is 1000 and here – in are categories of participants.
  • 5 MEMBERS OF OGUN STATE CHILDREN PARLIAMENT.
  • 40 REPRESENTATIVES FROM PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ABEOKUTA.
  • 5 REPRESENTATIVES OF CHILDREN IN STREET SITUATION.
  • 4 REPRESENTATIVES FROM 2 RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS FROM THE FOLLOWING:
  • Federal College of Education OSIELE, Abeokuta
  • Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (FUNAAB)
  • Crescent University, Abeokuta
  • Chrisland University, Abeokuta
  • Moshood Abiola Polythenic, Abeokuta (MAPOLY)
  • School of health technology, Ilese, Ijebu, Ogun State
  • Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State
  • REPRESENTATIVES FROM MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS AND ENVIRONMENT IN OGUN, EKITI, LAGOS, ONDO AND OYO STATES
  • REPRESENTATIVES FROM FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS AND ENVIRONMENT
  • CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRIES
  • DEPARTMENTAL STORES
  • CONFECTIONARIES
  • INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
  • MULTI- NATIONAL COMPANIES
  • EATERIES
  • RELEVANT MDA's
  • WASTE MANAGEMENT & RECYCLING AGENCIES

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

At the end of the symposium, the participants are expected
  • To be better informed about climate change and its effects on our environment and our children
  • To know the adaptation measures to be used to effectively build resilience towards climate change.
  • The participants should be aware that climate change impact are here already and, if not well managed, may lead to losses and damages
  • To understand that shifting away from burning fossil fuel, which is the main cause of climate change crisis, is the way out.

CONCLUSION

Climate change is not only an environmental problem that marks the century we are in, but also the most important environmental problem that will affect future generations, if not properly addressed and we should know that Climate change is and will continue to harm all of us unless actions are taken. But its effects are likely to be much more pronounced for certain communities and groups, as well as those who are generally already disadvantaged and subject to discrimination.
Urgent actions are needed to avert, minimise and address these losses and damages caused by climate change.
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