‘Countries should pay equal attention to COVID-19, Climate Change’

To avert environmental calamity in the magnitude of Coronavirus pandemic, the Partner, Chijiokeifediora & Co, Chijioke Ifediora has called on countries not to wait for rise in sea level, increase in acidic rain, death of sea plants and cancerous effects of environmental pollution before taking swift action in response to climate change.

In a statement, Ifediora said governments and stakeholders must pay equal attention to COVID-19 and climate change.

He, therefore, called for investment in alternative energy sources for households, cars and industries such as solar energy, hydro and windmill as a means to help tackle healthcare challenges.

He asked that legislations on the use of electrical cars, trains and other means of transportation be reintroduced.

Ifediora explained that before Coronavirus outbreak, climate change has been a major issue on the global scene, with less action taken since the landmark Paris Agreement.

“The agreement was executed to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future. The Paris Agreement in its Article 2 states that “the agreement seeks to strengthen the global response to climate change, reaffirm the goal of limiting global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius, while pursing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees,” he said.

Ifediora, however, noted that the carbon emissions from cities, which are harmful to the environment and humans who directly or indirectly orchestrate has, to a notable extent been curbed due to the pandemic.

To him, the COVID-19 pandemic has elicited a distinct global response. “From governments and businesses taking on new roles, responding to the crisis, to the complete change in how we work, travel and socialise.

“There is undeniable change. It slowed the world down, if not on partial static state. With fewer cars on the roads, closure of businesses, lockdown of seaports and closure of airports, hence there proportionally became less carbon emission or green house gases around the world,” he noted.