AN EDUCATIVE INFORMATION ON THE CURRENT HEAT STRESS IN EKITI STATE AND OTHER STATES IN NIGERIA OCCASIONED BY; CLIMATE CHANGE.
*MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES,EKITI STATE .*
Climate Change refers to long term shift or change in temperature and weather pattern either by natural or anthropogenetic factors. Climate change in recent times has become a contemporary issue of discourse globally due to the unperturbed increase in the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere causing global warming, the consequences are particularly noticeable in Sub-Sahara Africa that are highly vulnerable and have weak adaptive capacity, and however, Ekiti State happens to fall within the zone.
Ekiti State is located within the tropical region of southwestern Nigeria falls within 40.5N of the equator and 50.5E of the Greenwich meridian. This location has also made it vulnerable like others within the tropical zone. However, climate change poses a threat to the divers’ range of livelihood in the State. Thus, agricultural practices, human and commodities are affected. Hence, air masses influencing the weather pattern in Ekiti State like others within the tropics: namely northeasterly originating from the interior Sahara desert of Africa and this is dry and dusty. The southwest trade wind originated from the gulf of genuine via Atlantic Ocean which contain moisture.
Ekiti State is characterized by two dominant seasons: dry and wet season. Conventionally in the tropics, raining season start from late March to October with June being the middle of the raining season while there’s little break in August known as little dry spell otherwise called ‘august break’, and cessation normally occurs in November. Therefore, dry season will commence from November and terminate late March though this may vary per year. The northeast trade wind originating from the Sahara Africa is also dry and dusty, on its way to the south it will carry along with it dust and other suspended particles such as aerosols, carbon-dioxide, methane and during the cause of movement southward and due to man activities such as bush burning, as this will add to poor air quality/visibility. Currently being inhaled, thereby causing nose irritation and other respiratory ailment.
Also, uncontrolled deforestation has enhanced carbon emission currently being trapped in the atmosphere thereby constituting the current heat stress being experienced in the State which is now a matter of concern because of decrease in vegetation which lead to carbon remover and less carbon sink, this trend still continue unabated in the State. As we know the northeast trade wind brings harmattan to the State and the southwest trade wind originated from the Atlantic is a rain bearing wind. The two converge at a point refers to as Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) which oscillate north and south. Recently the situation has changed because the northeast trade wind is been pushed northward causing warm air to rise to the atmosphere resulting in the present heat stress being experience across the State. Hence, traces of rainfall have being observed in the State as a result of condensation of rising warm air.
MEASURES TO MITIGATE THE CURRENT HEAT STRESS
i. Ensure cross ventilation at home.
ii Use of nose masks should be encouraged
III Regular cold shower to maintain body temperature;
iv. Avoid overcrowding;
v. Use of air conditioning;
vi. Regular drinking of water;
vii Ensure personal hygiene always such as regular hand washing;
viii Proper waste management;
ix. Indiscriminate dumping of waste should be avoided;
x. Encourage planting of trees to enhance carbon sink.
xi. When necessary, visit the hospital;
xii Ensure clean environment to ensure healthy life.
(Health is wealth)
Erelu Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe
Hon. Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ekiti State.*
