Climate and the Consequences of Deforestation
Ordue K. Ephraim
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Climate change refers to long-term changes in the earth’s climate, including changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and other aspects of the climate system. It is primarily caused by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels for energy and transportation, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, trap heat from the sun, leading to global warming and climate change.
The primary driver of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels, which releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. This gas, along with others, traps heat from the sun, causing the earth’s temperature to rise. This process is known as the greenhouse effect, and it is the primary mechanism by which human activities contribute to climate change.
Other human activities such as deforestation, industrial processes, and transportation, also release greenhouse gases and contribute to climate change. Deforestation, for example, generally reduces the number of trees available to absorb CO2, while industrial processes and transportation release various greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
This paper examines deforestation, a prevailing factor of the climate change in Benue State. Benue State, located in the central part of Nigeria, faces significant environmental challenges, particularly in relation to climate change. Deforestation, which is the large-scale removal of trees, plays a significant role in exacerbating climate change impacts in the region.
The focus specifically therefore, is to delve into the degree at which trees are being cut down, the causes as claimed through research, the consequences thereof, and finanlly, the possible panacea to the menaces.
The common definition of deforestation postulates that it is the illegal cutting down of trees without replacement but from a more advanced point of view, deforestation is the clearing or thinning of forests by humans. Deforestation represents one of the largest issues in global land use. Estimates of deforestation traditionally are based on the area of forest cleared for human use, including removal of the trees for wood products and for croplands and grazing lands. According to Merriam-Webster, it is the action or process of clearing of forests.
The manner of deforestation in Benue State has called for concern, both in cities and villages for agricultural and industrial activities. The extent of deforestation is massive such that many forests have been erased, rendering the environment shapeless and helpless. In villages to be precise, the current interest in producing charcoal that is gotten from iron trees and other trees has called for concern. Many villagers have now depended solely on the production and sale of charcoal to cities where trees are no longer available for firewood. There is no week in villages such as Saghev Council Ward, Nongov, Guma Local Government where charcoal in large quantities are produced for sale. By estimate, a bag of charcoal in Makurdi right now is between N3500 and N4000 as against the usual meager price it was sold years ago. These activities started more than ten years ago in Local Governments like Buruku especially but has increased recently, embracing areas like Guma, given the present economic hardship in the country. In Saghev Council Ward for example, many traditional rulers are fully aware of the illegal act but have allowed its operation, benefiting from the illegal revenue that is generated from it. Many of the government legally recognised revenue agents are part of the illegal system, collecting their share after each sale. Charcoal associations have been established with various individuals heading it as if it were a legal activity.
The removal or burning of trees for farming activities is one of the causes of deforestation. It has been discovered that 2,4-D, an herbicide, is very active at destroying upcoming trees like mahogany. Even trees that have grown, the 2,4-D herbicide is rubbed around it after making a circular cut on it with an axe or a cutlass. Herders also contribute by cutting down the leaves of some selected trees for the consumption of cattle. These are but few of the highlighted ways in which deforestation is carried out in Benue State and has continued to extend to areas it was not practised before.
More on the causes of deforestation, mining activities in the State is a major factor. The Dangote Cement Factory, formerly known as Benue Cement has deforested and destroyed lands in Tse Kucha, Gboko Local Government. A look at the area explains that trees have been cut down to a near end without efforts to replace them. Mining activities at Ayilamo and Anyiin, Logo Local Government where salt and other useful stones are mined leads to the digging of lands and cutting down of trees to allow for massive mining.
There are certain consequences that come with the activities of deforestation in Benue State. To appreciate the economic importance of the act, this has helped a lot of people to grow financially and that is why mining, charcoal production and sales of firewood have become a source of living for them. Many traders in cities like Gboko, Makurdi, Zaki-Biam, Gbajimba, Ugba etc now involve in the buying and selling of charcoal to earn a living for themselves. Yes, it is good to appreciate the economic benefits of the act but what about the environmental hazards? The climate of Benue has changed recently especially in places like Guma, Buruku, Gboko and the rest.
Researchers are of the view that massive deforestation in Benue State might be the major cause of the climate change. In this year, 2024, farmers are yet to plant their groundnuts, yams, cassavas and other crops even in May and in few days now, the month of June will come knocking. Fresh groundnuts usually come out in Benue State massively between July and August but as it stands, it is difficult to predict if there will be groundnut at all. Even those that were planted, lack of rainfall has destroyed a good number.
In conclusion, climate change in Benue State is significantly influenced by deforestation. Deforestation has several negative impacts on the environment, including altering weather patterns, contributing to soil erosion, and disrupting the natural water cycle.
Deforestation in Benue State has led to changes in precipitation patterns, soil erosion, and the release of stored carbon into the atmosphere. These factors have contributed to climate change in the region.
Addressing climate change requires a multi-faceted approach, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and promoting sustainable land-use practices. Governments, businesses, and individuals can all play a role in reducing their carbon footprint and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Efforts to combat climate change have led to the development of various international agreements and frameworks, such as the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). These agreements aim to limit global warming to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it even further to 1.5°C, as outlined in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C. Thus, the menace caused by climate change is never desirable and hence, efforts are assiduously made to curtail it.
Similar or more measures are therefore recommended in Benue State for the cure of the same, due to the negatives buttressed by deforestation, a predominant factor for climate change in the region. We recommend the following measures or forestry practices.
Reforestation and afforestation: Encouraging the planting of new trees in areas where deforestation has occurred, as well as in previously forested areas, can help restore the natural ecosystem and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Sustainable forestry management: Implementing sustainable forestry practices, such as selective logging and controlled harvesting, can help minimize the negative impacts of deforestation while still allowing for the responsible extraction of forest products.
Community engagement and participation: Involving local communities in forestry management decisions and providing them with alternative livelihood options, such as ecotourism and sustainable agriculture, can help reduce the dependence on deforestation for economic development.
Environmental impact assessments: Conducting thorough environmental impact assessments before any large-scale deforestation or forestry activities can help identify potential risks and allow for the development of mitigation strategies.
Strengthening environmental regulations: Strengthening and enforcing environmental regulations and laws related to deforestation can help deter illegal logging and promote sustainable forestry practices.
Promoting agroforestry: Encouraging the integration of trees into agricultural landscapes can help reduce the need for deforestation while still allowing for the production of food and other agricultural products.
Supporting research and monitoring: Providing funds and resources for research and monitoring programs can help better understand the impacts of deforestation and develop effective strategies for mitigating these impacts.
Raising public awareness: Launching public awareness campaigns can help educate the public about the importance of forests and the negative consequences of deforestation, which can lead to increased support for sustainable forestry practices.
Collaborating with international organizations: Collaborating with international organizations, such as the United Nations Forests Programme and the World Wildlife Fund, can help leverage resources and expertise to address the global implications of deforestation in Benue State.
Promoting sustainable land-use planning: Encouraging sustainable land-use planning can help ensure that land is used in a way that balances economic development with environmental conservation, reducing the need for deforestation.
