NIMET WARNS OF MORE HOT DAYS, WARM NIGHTS, HEAT WAVES
With the global average air
temperature of the earth hitting 1°C hotter than at the beginning of the 20th
century, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has warned Nigerians to
brace for more hot days, warm night and heat waves.
A statement by the Head of Public
Relations Unit, Eva Azinge noted that with the long residence of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere, the current warming would continue beyond 2100 even
when the emission of greenhouse gases is reduced.
The statement noted: “We must
therefore prepare for a future with more hot days, warm nights and heat waves
because of past and present emissions. This preparation will require smart
adaptation strategies and engaging in climate resilient practices to cope with
the damage that has been done.”
Also, a leading consultant in
Public Health and Disaster Management, Dr. Priscilla Ibekwe, has, however,
proffered some tips to enable people to cope with the scorching heats in parts
of the country.
She told The Guardian: “The
weather is unbearably hot. Excessive heat can have harmful effect on our
health. It can lead to dehydration-due to excessive loss of water, among
others. It can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke. It can also lead to death.
“The evidence about the risks to
health from heat waves is extensive and consistent from around the world. ‘‘Excessive
exposure to high temperatures can kill. During the summer heat wave in Northern
France in August 2003, unprecedentedly high day- and night-time temperatures
for a period of three weeks resulted in 15,000 excess deaths. The vast majority
of these were among older people. In England that year, there were over 2,000
excess deaths over the 10-day heat wave period which lasted from 4 to 13 August
2003, compared to the previous five years over the same period.”
She regretted that Nigeria had
not paid much attention to the adverse effects of heat on the health of its
people.
Her words: “In the past few
years, episodes of heat wave have been reported in different parts of the
world, including India, African countries. It is assumed that since we are in
the tropics, we are used to hot weather. Regrettably, some people die because
of the excess heat but we do not know how many people have died, or had heat
strokes because we do not seem to collect, collate and publish data on excess
deaths during the heat wave.
“I strongly believe that one
death from heat wave, is a death too many. It can be a death of a relative or
friend. Governments, public and private sectors, communities and individuals,
have a role to play, to reduce the risk of ill-health and death from heat
waves.”
She also noted how global warming
was partly contributing to the high temperatures. She urged relevant government
agencies to develop a heat wave plan and disseminate it widely.
She encouraged people to eat
well-balanced, light and regular meals. “Drink plenty of clean water, even if
you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. Reduce the intake
of caffeinated or alcoholic beverages because they dehydrate the body. Seek
medical advice if you or a family member has a medical condition. If you notice
any change in your health, please seek medical advice immediately.”
She listed danger symptoms to
watch out for in hot weather to include feeling faint and dizzy, shortness of
breath, vomiting or increasing confusion.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has
called for a stronger response by governments, aid organizations and the
private sector to address the devastating impact the El Niño climate event is
having on the food security, livelihoods, nutrition and health of millions of
people around the world.
The appeal came at a meeting organized
in Rome by four United Nations (UN) agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations, the International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD), the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the
World Food Programme (WFP).
Participants, including
representatives from governments, non-governmental organizations and other UN
agencies, took stock of the growing impacts of the current El Niño, which is
considered as one of the strongest in history.
They noted that more than $2.4
billion (N480 billion) is needed for the current El Niño emergency and
recovery-responses and currently there is a $1.5 billion (N300 billion) gap in
funding.
According to a joint statement
released yesterday by the FAO, El Niño-related impacts have been felt across
the globe since mid-2015.
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