A recent climate change meeting in Lagos

Stella Odueme in AllAfrica.com via the Daily Independent (Nigeria): Between May 4 and 7, 2010, Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos State was a beehive of activities as stakeholders converged to forge the way forward for Nigeria on climate change, a phenomenon whose devastating impacts like tsunami, hurricane and others have since gained world attention.

The four-day summit was hosted by Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola and co-hosted by Governors from the six geopolitical zones of the country. …In all, 12 technical sessions were held in which various papers were delivered by experts drawn from Nigeria, United States of America (USA), Mexico, Senegal and Australia on various aspects of climate change science, vulnerability, impacts, mitigation and adaptation.

The themes focused on adapting to climate change and sharing best practices; UNIDO/Lagos State study on vulnerability analysis; adaptation to climate change and best practices; mitigation strategies for low carbon economy; financing for climate change mitigation activities; partnerships and collaboration for combating climate change; shipwreck and coastal erosion; post-Copenhagen and Mexico 2010 and climate change, Lagos State/World Health Organisation (WHO) partnership.

… Various observations also emanated from the summit. These were that: in terms of climate change impacts and vulnerability, there are similarities between Mexico City, New York City and Lagos, thus there is a lot that Lagos could learn from the Climate Change Action Plans of the two cities; while there are still some scientific gaps in the knowledge about climate change, current evidence about the reality of the problem are enough for policymakers to take decisions….