Keynote Address at the Niger Delta Climate Conference
Nnimmo Bassey, Director of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), spoke at the 3rd Niger Delta Climate Conference in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. His message was powerful: our environment is in crisis, and we can’t ignore it any longer.
The Niger Delta is one of the most polluted areas in the world. A 2021 report from the United Nations Environment Program showed severe pollution in Ogoni land, with hydrocarbons penetrating the soil deeply and affecting water and air quality. A recent study from the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission revealed the staggering environmental and human toll of oil activity in the region, calling it an environmental genocide.
Imagine living in a place where 40% of mangrove forests are gone, and 14 million cubic meters of natural gas are flared daily, releasing toxic substances into the air. These pollutants lead to serious health issues like cancer and breathing problems. In Bayelsa, groundwater contamination is alarmingly high, with chromium levels over 1,000 times the World Health Organization’s safe limit. It’s a grim picture of life in the Niger Delta.
So, what does it mean to build a resilient future? Resilience doesn’t just mean being able to take hits; it means overcoming challenges and restoring what’s lost. To achieve this, we need to envision a future we all want and then work toward it.
Climate actions today can be divided into two main areas: adaptation and mitigation. Adaptation helps communities adjust to new realities, while mitigation focuses on preventing further changes. Oil extraction, which contributes to climate issues, must also be addressed.
The history of oil in Nigeria dates back to the late 1950s with the first oil wells drilled at Oloibiri. Although those wells were abandoned in the 1970s, the pollution from them has never been cleaned up. The lack of proper regulations shows how profit often outweighs people’s health and safety—a situation described by experts as systemic neglect.
The Niger Delta is often seen as a sacrifice zone, where communities are left struggling for survival amidst pollution and degradation. Reports document the despair but little is done to change this narrative. For instance, a recent oil spill at the Santa Barbara river released an estimated 500,000 barrels of crude oil over six weeks, yet only a fraction was admitted.
How can we be serious about climate action when these incidents keep happening? Real community empowerment requires tackling the root causes of environmental destruction. This includes conducting thorough environmental audits to identify damage and responsibilities.
Real change means cleanup and reparations. Stopping illegal gas flaring, a crime against both humanity and the Earth, is essential. Community-controlled renewable energy could also address long-standing energy issues, giving residents more power over their futures.
Agroecology, or farming in harmony with the environment, can also help restore life to the land. Community empowerment must involve local voices driving development, ensuring that those living in these regions have control over the resources extracted from their lands.
To foster true resilience and ecological justice, we need accountability from those responsible for environmental harm. Restorative justice should ensure that those causing the most damage also contribute the most to repairs.
As we look to the future, we must keep in mind that our actions today affect generations yet unborn. Building a better tomorrow is possible if we prioritize people, justice, and the environment.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on these critical thoughts.
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climate action,community empowerment,Niger Delta,Nnimmo Bassey,Resilient future
