The Climate and Economic Justice Campaign took place in the city of Port Harcourt. The event was organized by Climate and Sustainability Development Network (CSDevNet), PanAfrica Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), African Activities for Climate Justice (AACJ), and Guard Africa. This 2-day workshop held on 10th–11th July 2025, combined with a campaign to Strengthen Adaptive Capacity and Advance Climate & Economic Justice in Rivers State.
Day 1 focused on identifying Climate Change challenges and developing adaptation strategies. The CSDevNet National Coordinator – Abu Eneojo Stephen welcomed participants and stated the workshop objectives which is to advance Climate and Economic Justice. He mentioned that 60% of Nigerians depends on agriculture for livelihood and climate change issues require urgency for climate action in Nigeria and Africa.
Keynote address was done by Micheal Keania, Country Director of Natural Justice on “Advancing Human and Environmental Rights: AACJ’s Impact on Empowering Niger Delta Communities for Climate Justice”. He challenged everyone to be prepared, take actions, and build accountability framework for communities and burden bearers.
Another interesting presentation on “Climate Adaptation Strategies and Advocacy Skills for Economic Justice and Addressing fossil fuel impacts” was delivered by Dr Unekwu Onuche from University of Africa, Bayelsa State. This session categorized the impacts on climate change for women and youths including.
-Flooding (destroys crops and assets)
-Food insecurity
-Vulnerability due to dependence on natural resources
-Increased health risks
-Increased Gender Based Violence especially during heat waves
Some of the Climate Change Adaptation strategies include Climate Smart Agriculture, Multiple cropping to avoid dependence on one, Aquaculture, Diversification (do some other things), early warning systems, timing, disaster management plans and preparedness etc while the community-based strategies are effective drainages, mangrove restoration, climate information dissemination, empowering local communities to manage and protect forests.
There were breakout sessions for 4 groups, to map flood-prone and fossil fuel affected areas and discuss social and economic impacts and adaptation solutions. Each group worked on the key social impacts of flooding and fossil fuel activities in the region, while considering the effect on communities, health, displacement and cultural heritage.
Day-2 Started with overview of day-1 outcomes. Followed by an engaging presentation on “The Crying Forest” by Godwin Ugah, Executive Director of Green Planet Initiative and South South Zonal Coordinator of CSDevNet. This session delved into the impacts of deforestation and its mitigation strategies including forest management, strengthening forest laws and enforcement, promoting sustainable land-use planning and incentivizing forest conservations. In conclusion, the facilitator said “we all have a role to play in addressing deforestation, advocacy must continue, and together we will reverse this ugly trend and protect the present and future generations”
Case study on successful adaptation examples from similar contexts to inspire actionable ideas, was taken by Dr Iduh J.J Otene. Participants looked at some Climate Change quotes and voted for the one that speaks to them personally.
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed” – Mahatma Gandhi
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them” –Albert Einstein
“We don’t have time to sit on our hands as our planet burns. For young people, climate change is bigger than election or re-election. It’s life or death” – Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
“Men argue, nature acts” – Voltaire
“If you think the environment is less important than the economy, try holding your breath while you count your money” – Dr Guy Mcpherson
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children” – Chief Seattle
It was time for action plan development, to draft advocacy messages for the Climate and Economic Justice Campaign, addressing flood impacts and fossil fuel accountability. Each group created SMART advocacy slogans, hatshtags and social media contents.
The second day extend outcomes through public campaigns, to raise awareness about flooding and fossil fuel impacts via placards.
