Zero Carbon Africa Set To 'Art' Climate Change

SAN FRANCISCO, August 18, (THEWILL) - An alliance of youth-led organisations and young individuals committed to championing grassroots innovative solutions to climate change and empowering young people on environmental sustainability issues across Africa is set to educate Nigerians on dangers of climate change through an event tagged ARTing Climate Change.

Nigeria is already facing climate change challenges, as the southern coast of the country is being threatened by erosions and floods, while the northern is threatened by desert encroachment, sand invasion and food security issues.

In a bid to reach out to Nigerians, majority of whom are youths, Zero Carbon Africa will host a Green Carpet (ARTing CLIMATE CHANGE) on 27th September, 2012.

ARTing CLIMATE CHANGE will showcase the impact of climate change on lives in different sectors of the society, through the use of art – music, dance performance, poetry, paintings, locally produced video documentary and sharing of true stories.

“The main objective of this initiative is to enlighten the public on climate change as a new reality for Nigeria and empower young people to play an active role as agents of change in championing innovative solutions to addressing these impacts in their different local communities, because art is one of the best ways to help people understand the science of climate change and give it a human face,” project director, Zero Carbon Africa, Zaid Shopeju said.

“To implement this project, Zero Carbon Africa will be working with renowned and upcoming artists, poets, climate experts and public personalities, who will showcase their work on environment protection and openly endorse the event as a sign of commitment to acting as environment ambassadors.”

Also speaking, communication director, Isaiah Owolabi disclosed that different art works would be exhibited during the Green Carpet section of the event.

“Our approach is targeted at using art to get the attention of young people in order to creatively pass our message, which is that young people can champion environmental, economic and social solutions for today and tomorrow,” he said, adding that the visual art will include interpretive dance, drama presentations and poetry.

“The event will birth the ‘National Day of Action on Climate change,’ where young people across the country will take action on climate change, 25th October 2012. It’s a one-day action by young people to save today and preserve tomorrow!”

Zero Carbon Africa —an alliance of HACEY's Health Initiative, Youth Vision Alliance Network (YVAN), HEDA Resource Centre and Centre for 21st Centuries Issues — has so far reach more than 7 million across Nigeria through television and radio programmes across different states. Also, its online radio from the UN summit in Rio De Janierio, Echoes from Rio, reached over 2million people in.