As our planet grapples with unprecedented environmental changes, the conversation around climate change often centers on melting ice caps, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events. While these physical manifestations are critical, there is another dimension to this global crisis that deserves our immediate attention: the profound impact on human mental health. This article explores the intricate connection between climate change and mental well-being, with a particular focus on vulnerable communities and practical strategies for resilience.
The effects of climate change on our physical health are glaring. Take, for instance, rising sea levels that have led to floods which contaminate even our potable water and make it unsafe. Poor air quality, a situation aggravated by greenhouse gases, can be linked to the rise of respiratory diseases in our society.

The physical health impacts cannot be denied, but there’s an area that is easily ignored—the effect of climate change on our mental health.
Maybe it’s because mental health is still a touchy topic, or maybe it’s because mental health changes aren’t as easily noticed as physical health changes, but one thing is sure: climate change affects our mental health in ways that are concerning.

A recent study in the US revealed that more than 68% of its adult population has reported having anxiety about climate change. Sixty-seven percent of individuals with direct exposure to the California Camp Fire of 2018 said they experienced trauma similar to PTSD, compared with 14 percent of those indirectly exposed. These effects can last for years, as reported by those who lived through Hurricane Katrina. (Source: commonwealthfund.org)
In Africa, hurricanes and wildfires may not sound very familiar, but every day we hear and see flood cases. Many farmlands and properties have been swept away by heavy floods. Severe flooding across West and Central Africa has hit an estimated 4 million people so far this year, many of them children, displacing at least 500,000 people and destroying more than 300,000 homes. (Source: unicef.org). That is quantifiable data about physical damage.

Let us consider the hypothetical scenario of a farmer who planted rice on two acres of land. He spends over 10 months caring for the rice plants, invests in fertilizers, spends huge amounts on hired workers, and just when it’s about time to harvest, constant rainfall starts and goes on for days. One day, he wakes up and he can’t even step out because the community river is now at his doorstep. Everyone is panicking, and the farmlands are underwater, including his rice farm. Statistics will show that the entire village was flooded, but we cannot quantify the level of trauma he will deal with every time he remembers how much he invested in that rice farm.

This is why we have written this article with a focus on the importance of fighting climate change and protecting our mental health.

What better time to act than now?

Africans have been found to be more susceptible to the impacts of climate change on the environment and on their mental health.

Due to economic and developmental issues, they are more likely to live in areas marked by elevated temperatures, air pollution, higher flood risks, and poor-quality housing, such as historically red-lined areas. Indigenous communities, too, are highly susceptible, with many experiencing both the direct effects of climate change, such as extreme heat, drought, or floods, and indirect effects like food insecurity and loss of land. For indigenous people with deep connections to their land, loss or displacement from climate change can profoundly affect psychological well-being.

5 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health in the Face of Climate Change

Climate change is a pressing global issue with far-reaching consequences, including significant impacts on mental health. As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, individuals may experience anxiety, stress, and other mental health challenges. Here are five strategies to help you protect your mental well-being during these uncertain times:

1. Prepare for Extreme Weather Events
– Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with local weather forecasts and emergency alerts
– Develop an emergency plan: Create a plan for how you and your family will respond to extreme weather events, including where to go and what to do
– Prepare a survival kit: Assemble a kit with essential supplies, such as food, water, first aid supplies, and a flashlight

2. Reduce Your Exposure to Air Pollution
– Check air quality: Monitor air quality indices in your area and avoid outdoor activities when pollution levels are high
– Limit exposure: If you live in a city or industrial area, consider staying indoors on days with poor air quality
– Improve indoor air quality: Ventilate your home regularly and consider using air purifiers

3. Practice Good Hygiene and Food Safety
– Wash your hands frequently: This helps prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of foodborne illness
– Handle food safely: Follow proper food safety guidelines to avoid contamination
– Keep your kitchen clean: Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces to prevent the growth of bacteria

4. Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites
– Use mosquito repellent: Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or other effective ingredients
– Wear protective clothing: Cover your skin with long sleeves and pants, especially during dawn and dusk
– Eliminate breeding grounds: Reduce mosquito breeding by removing standing water from your property

5. Prioritize Your Mental Health
– Practice self-care: Engage in activities that promote relaxation and well-being, such as meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature
– Connect with others: Build strong social connections with friends, family, and community members
– Seek professional help: If you’re struggling with mental health symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to a therapist or counselor.
By taking these proactive steps, you can better equip yourself to cope with the challenges of climate change and protect your mental health. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey, and there are resources available to support you.

6. Take Climate Action

– Advocate for Policy Change: Support and promote policies addressing climate change, including emissions reductions and renewable energy investments. Engage in community campaigns that drive environmental legislation.

– Support Sustainable Practices: Choose products from eco-friendly companies and minimize single-use plastics. Incorporate plant-based meals and buy from brands that follow ethical production practices.

Conclusion

The relationship between climate change and mental health represents one of the most pressing yet under-recognized challenges of our time. As we’ve explored throughout this article, the psychological impacts of environmental degradation extend far beyond immediate stress reactions to shape our collective well-being in profound ways. While certain communities bear a disproportionate burden of these effects, the mental health consequences of climate change touch us all.
However, this recognition should empower rather than paralyze us. By understanding the connection between environmental and psychological health, we can take meaningful steps both to combat climate change and to protect our mental well-being. Whether through community action, personal preparation, or individual coping strategies, each of us has the power to make a difference.

As we move forward, let us remember that addressing climate change is not just about preserving our physical environment— it’s about safeguarding the mental health of current and future generations. The time for awareness has passed; now is the time for action. By working together, supporting one another, and implementing the strategies outlined above, we can build both a more sustainable world and more resilient communities.
The path ahead may be challenging, but with understanding, preparation, and collective action, we can face these challenges while protecting what matters most: the well-being of ourselves, our communities, and our planet.

Climate change! We’ve all heard it right? We all know what it is and what it entails. However, let us explain it once more. It won’t hurt. Let’s go!

As the name suggests, climate change is the change in climate. Easy right? Now, there is a difference between climate change and global warming, in as much as they are used interchangeably. Climate is the average weather condition over a long period of time, say maybe 30 years. When we say the months of February to April consist of rainy season in Nigeria that is climate. Weather is short term and is highly affected by the daily temperature, humidity, rainfall. Now when we say we are experiencing climate change, we are comparing the climate over a long period of time, which means this is something that started a while ago. Whilst global warming is a symptom of climate change. Okay enough about that.

There are so many areas of climate change in which we have to fight against. From desertification to deforestation to even the diet we live by. Every single smallest area counts in the fight against climate change. That is why the climate action superheroes were developed by GreenHubAfrica Foundation, which were inspired by the United Nations in the fight against climate change. These heroes are 8 in total and constitute of almost all the areas that we, as humans, can concentrate on if we want to save our earth from the impending doom of climate change.

These superheroes were created as a way of educating children about climate change, in a fun and entertaining way that is sure to capture their concentration! At GreenHub we like to call it, edutainment. Clever right? Anyway, why wouldn’t we allow kids to learn about this because it is their future? Doesn’t make sense. So these avatars are developed to have Nigerian names and Nigerian cultural outfits that kids from all over Nigeria can resonate with. Remember, edutainment! The end goal is that the heroes are launched in every country all over Africa and the rest of the world. These will be developed to that specific country so that the kids can relate with them and acquire up-cycling skills in the process. These skills and the knowledge will help them adapt in this changing world, and also equip them with environmental living methods that will keep the earth green.

The World Environment Day is probably the most celebrated day in the environmental space and calendar. What better way to launch these climate action superheroes than on this important day? That is why, this World Environment Day, we as GreenHubAfrica Foundation together with United Nations, will officially launch the Climate Action Superheroes on the 6^th of June 2022 at UN House in Abuja. This event will also be streamed live so that this important occassion reaches far and wide! And of course we will also host our webinar on the 7^th the following day, discussing all things environmental!

Do join us for this years’ event. It’s gonna be green!!

It is no secret that climate change has come with many effects. It is affecting our temperatures, our environment, introducing more flooding, heatwaves, affecting biodiversity and and and. The list is endless, literally. Climate change is also linked to insecurity in Nigeria, to the point where areas of insecurity are hot spots for climate change.

Let us look at the typical farmer in Nigeria. Here is a lone farmer growing his crops just to feed his family. Knowing the economic crisis and poverty in Nigeria, do we blame them? Nope. This is a very common livelihood practice. Growing your own rice, your own yam, your own cassava. After all, the kids need to eat. And if the season was great, there is surplus that can be sold for those little nairas, and life goes on.

Let us focus on herdsmen. These are nomadic people by nature of their livelihood. They go in search of pastures for their cattle to graze on. Now, deforestation is the cutting down of trees right? In Nigeria, it is mainly because of logging, mining activities and agriculture. So when land is deforested there is no vegetation for the cows to graze. So the herdsmen are on the move then.

How do these interact? Or are we making climate change the bad guy as always! These herdsmen do not move around unarmed. So they obviously carry guns to protect themselves, especially from the notorious Boko Haram, and also because they invade peoples’ land. They can’t own every land they rest in surely! Obviously, there will be altercations with the land owners and that is where insecurity happens. These herdsmen deliberately let their cattle graze on the farmers fields. After all, they are armed so everything of theirs is done by force. It is a long chain of events, but the main driver is climate change. If there were pastures, I mean vast pieces of land with no ownership (although that is rare), the herdsmen would have plenty of area for grazing their cattle.

According to IPCC’s 6^th report, human-induced climate change hits hardest on people and ecosystems that are least able to cope. There is grave danger in inaction! Even well prepared countries will be hit by the unavoidable effects of global warming to come. How much more the vulnerable countries.

Weather extremes are occurring as we speak. Heat-waves, droughts and floods are at an all-time high, and expected to increase in severity and frequency. We cannot run away from the effects that are happening and those that are to come. Climate change is a long game. It took a long time for climate to change, it will take a long time for it to stabilize as well. What we’re doing and preaching now, will soften the blow that is to come. Otherwise, extreme action needs to be taken for extreme change.

Countries need to invest in risk assessment and decreasing their vulnerability to natural events. At the current state, progress on adaptation is uneven with the least adapted countries being low-income populations. These people have no infrastructure. When flooding hits, they lose their livelihoods and possibly lives. These people have no decent working medical centres. When effects of flooding happen, such as diarrhea, they will lose their children. These people have no road access or technological advances. When drought occurs, little to no help from the outside can reach them. Adaptation starts from having all human beings acquiring the same basic needs.

“Fact is: climate change is a threat to human wellbeing and the health of this planet. Any further delay in concerted global action will miss a brief and rapidly closing window to secure a liveable future” – Hans-Otto Portner.

In this day and age, we can only imagine what dinosaurs looked like, and because of technology and archeologists, we’re able to see an imitation of them in movies and the likes. However, can you just imagine what it would be like if dinosaurs were still around?

Their size alone shows that there was plenty of land for their habitat. With the current rate of deforestation and building new environment, it is no mystery as to why they became extinct. Let us not fool ourselves, it is simply because of humankind growth that animals become extinct.

Fast forward to today. There are animals that form part of the endangered list by CITES. It is so worrisome that the animals we know today might not be seen by our great grandchildren! Not so long ago, on February 2 2022, four Nigerians were caught with pangolin scales and elephant tusks worth N3.1 billion in Lagos! N3.1 billion!!! That is a huge number of carcasses left.

   

Ecological life support is an extremely important aspect of everyday life that humankind has to ensure it sustains. Every living thing, both fauna and flora, plays a major role in keeping our earth as is. Even minute organisms are vital, ones we cannot see with the naked eye. A question arises, were the pangolins and elephants that were left for death just for their accessories really worth dying for humanity’s greed?

Every human from the whole spectrum of consumerism is responsible for ensuring the maintenance of sustainability. Let there be laws that are brutally enforced to those found with animal accessories. Let everyone keep watch for these criminals. Even you, the consumer have to be responsible. Do not buy products that require the unnecessary killing of an animal. What will you do with a snakeskin handbag? Let us do better. Let us protect the voiceless fauna and flora. If not for us, then for the future generations.

The environment, and our surroundings, all constitute our home. If we do not take care of the environment, who will? And by ‘we’ I mean us, humans. As we set our targets, goals, and ‘new-year-new-me’ resolutions, let us not forget the environment.

Can you imagine the impact that would occur if each and every one of us took responsibility for a clean environment personally? Oh, what a wholesome world it would be. It doesn’t have to fall onto the bigger companies and developed countries to have a clean environment. They are polluting it at a large scale, but it falls on every individual to improve it. Imagine having cities that operate on a circular metabolism instead of linear worldwide! But it all starts with you (and me of course!).

Think about the impacts your actions at home have on the environment. You want to build a house so you cut down every vegetation to clear the land? Why not just live the big trees as they are at least? They act as habitats for birds, squirrels and other organisms. Plus, those trees will purify the air for you! What a plus that would be. Just take responsibility for the environment. Take shorter showers. Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth. Use wastewater from the sink for your lawn sprinklers. Turn lights off in rooms you don’t use. Install those solar panels for your electricity needs at home. Make a compost heap from your vegetable peels. Eat white meat more if you can’t be a vegetarian. Take a bike to work. Travel using a bus instead of individual cars. It’s really not that hard.

Looking at the state the environment is in now begs the opposite opinion to be stated, that individual sacrifice cannot be enough to solve the worlds’ environmental issues. Also, preaching individual responsibility takes it off  the bigger culprits. As stated by Professor Anders Levermann “personal sacrifice alone cannot be the solution to tackling the climate crisis”. And we agree. We can also agree that it is a good blessed start!

December is the season where everyone is in a festive mood! Tis the season of giving and having loads of food around the home! It is not even an African thing, but a global feeling. This festive season, let us not forget that we still have one environment and very limited natural resources. However, we can still have a sustainable festive. Let us term it: The Green Festive!

A green festive doesn’t have to be boring. Not at all!!! Just little tweaks here and there and voila! You’ve saved the planet in the smallest ways possible. For instance, let’s look at gifts. Do you really need gift wraps and gift bags for all the gifts? Isn’t it possible to use that gift bag you got on your birthday instead of buying a new one? Can’t you use what you already have at home to come up with the most exciting gifts? After all, the practice of giving lies in the thought. But remember not to give gifts that use batteries. We love the environment don’t we? Discarded batteries are an environmental hazard.

Did you know that eating white meat over red meat contributes to saving the planet? That is simply because red meat has a higher carbon footprint. Or, if you’re up for the challenge, change to being a vegetarian! The less red meat consumed, the better for the environment.

You can also start a new culture that your kids can grow up doing and eventually pass it on to their children. You can decide that the day before Christmas, you plant trees around your neighborhood. Or you clean up the streets. Or take a nature walk around. Try and appreciate nature loudly, if not every day then on the festive season!

We all love this season. Tis the season to kick back and relax, rethink, refocus, reflect. Let us not forget the environment as we make next years’ resolutions. They do not mean anything if we can’t achieve them. And we can’t achieve them if there is no environment for us to live in.

Green festive, the new it thing in town. Get on board! GreenHubAfrica Foundation wishes you all a safe and green December!!