A group of young Climate Activists, Quest For Growth and Development Foundation with support from Beautiful Trouble also known as Get Up Rise Up Direct Action Fund) has demanded for climate justice for the vulnerable populace and communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and across Africa, affected by the impact of Climate Change caused by Fossil Fuel Projects.
The Coordinator for Growth and Development Foundation, Smith Nwokocha, while briefing the press at the Stop Fossil Fuels Projects in our Community” Campaign in Port Harcourt, Rivers State’s capital, also disclosed that the campaign was to stop the black soot in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, heavily caused by fossil fuel pollution in the communities.
Nwokocha added the Governments and Corporations (Oil and Gas Companies) should stop promoting and investing in Fossil fuel projects that are causing harm to the common people and the environment.
He said the reason for the Campaign was to have a world without Pollution, especially Fossil Fuel Projects that have caused this world, and this planet irreparable loss and damage affecting the environment and health
“This has led to underdevelopment and debt, stressing that a world with clean energy (renewable energy) and a healthy greener planet is possible.”
“The movement demands that Oil and Gas Companies should switch to Renewable Energy.”
“We will keep campaigning and demonstrate peacefully in strategic locations and offices of the Oil and Gas Companies in Nigeria and across the Global South until they stop investing in Fossil Fuel Projects, as it has caused a lot of harm to us, our environment, and health and now we are faced with a Black Soot situation that emanated from fossil fuel production in our communities.
“We will keep holding the Corporations and Government accountable. Also, we will introduce GREEN CLUBS in at least five (5) Schools, where they will learn about the impact of climate change caused by fossil fuels.”
“The Oil and Gas Companies (Corporations) that are the highest polluters of the environment have caused devastating health conditions for community members like Cancer, Ashma, etc, basically caused by the impact of climate change like Black soot which we face in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and Air Pollution as a result of Oil and Gas Extraction and explorations.
“The attention of these Corporations was called to order and advised to make switch to Renewable Energies that are environmentally friendly and stop promoting and investing in Fossil fuels projects as it will definitely phase out,” he said.