The Kano Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (Kano-ACReSAL) has taken its Climate Change Education campaign to the Girls Science and Technical College in Kano as part of its “Catch Them Young” initiative.
The awareness campaign is part of the second phase of the project’s effort to engage students, teachers, and environmental professionals in discussions around climate change and the involvement of young people in addressing it.
The Acting Project Coordinator, Dr. Abdulhamid Bala, told the students that climate change remains a serious challenge that cannot be ignored.
“Climate change remains a persistent threat to global sustainability. Our response must be strategic and swift,” Dr. Bala said.
He explained the decision to focus on schoolchildren. “We are deliberately engaging young people through our ‘Catch Them Young’ initiative because they are the agents of change. We must instill in them sound environmental practices,” he said.
Dr. Bala also urged students to take active roles in spreading awareness and supporting efforts to protect the environment.
“The transition to solar energy, including the solarization of public offices and streetlights in Kano, is a commendable step. We want you to spread this awareness and help protect our environment wherever you go,” he added.
Experts from Bayero University Kano and Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST) Wudil led sessions during the campaign.
Dr. Ummi Khaltum Muhammad from the Centre for Dryland Agriculture and Professor Muhammad Alhaji spoke about the science of climate change, its effects, and ways to address it.
An Environmental Club was established at the school to coordinate environmental activities among students and the surrounding community.
The campaign team also gave the school 100 improved fruit tree seedlings to be planted and cared for by the club and staff. Printed educational materials were also distributed.
