Environmental experts, academics and policy advocates have called for urgent and collective action to address climate change and environmental degradation, warning that the impacts are already being felt across Nigeria and beyond.

The call was made on Friday during the 2026 World Environment Day celebration organised by Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, with the theme, “Now for Climate.”

The university Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, said the global theme was a directive for immediate action rather than a mere slogan.

Mr Ezemonye, who is also President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (IEPN), said the earth’s mean temperature had exceeded 1.5 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels.

According to him, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe, while ecosystems that support food production, water supply and livelihoods are under increasing pressure.

He said Nigeria and the Niger Delta region were already experiencing compounded effects of flooding, deforestation, pollution and other environmental challenges linked to climate change.

The vice-chancellor noted that universities have a unique responsibility as centres of knowledge and innovation to develop solutions to environmental problems.

He reaffirmed Igbinedion University’s commitment to climate action through its Centre for Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), describing it as a hub for climate research, advocacy and community engagement.

“Our faculty and students are conducting research on forest ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, circular economy and sustainable land use.

“We will continue to invest in these areas and strengthen sustainability commitments across our operations and academic activities,” he said.

Mr Ezemonye urged students, staff and stakeholders to deepen scholarship in climate science, environmental law, green innovation and sustainability while adopting environmentally responsible practices.

Earlier, the Director of the Centre for Climate Change and SDGs, Prof. Spencer Nwangwu, said the centre was established to transform global environmental concerns into practical local solutions through research, advocacy and community action.

Mr Nwangwu said Edo State and the Niger Delta faced serious environmental challenges, including flooding, deforestation, pollution and declining agricultural productivity.

He stressed that climate action required collaboration among government, academia, businesses, civil society organisations and citizens.

According to him, the centre aims to make the World Environment Day celebration an annual flagship programme that generates research, partnerships, policy recommendations and measurable environmental outcomes.

Delivering the keynote address, Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, called for sustainable practices, reduced pollution and stronger support for climate resilience initiatives.

Mr Bassey emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to mitigate climate change through research, environmental protection and sustainable development programmes.

Speaking on climate change mitigation, Dr Wuraola Raji of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Igbinedion University, identified fossil fuel combustion, bush burning and poor waste disposal as major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

She explained that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane trap heat in the atmosphere, disrupting natural climate systems and accelerating global warming.

Ms Raji warned that rising temperatures were contributing to flooding, drought, food insecurity, displacement of communities and environmental degradation.

She urged governments, institutions and individuals to adopt cleaner energy sources, improve waste management practices and support climate mitigation efforts.

Also speaking, President of the university’s Plastic Waste Management Club, Adegbemi Adaife, highlighted the environmental and health risks associated with plastic waste and open burning.

Mr Adaife said burning plastics released toxic substances and microplastics that posed serious threats to human health and the environment.

He noted that the club was promoting plastic waste collection, recycling and awareness campaigns across the campus, with plans to distribute dedicated collection bins in student hostels.

According to him, the initiative is aimed at encouraging proper waste segregation and fostering environmental responsibility among students.

In a presentation on climate finance, Director of the Centre for Research, Innovation and Grants, Prof. Georgina Erifeta, described climate finance as funding mobilised to support climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Ms Erifeta said significant funding opportunities existed globally for climate-related projects despite a substantial financing gap.

She urged Nigerian universities to leverage climate finance opportunities by investing in climate research, innovation, environmental monitoring and resilience-building initiatives.

According to her, higher institutions have a critical role in generating knowledge and developing solutions to climate-related challenges.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of 30 waste bins donated to the university by SWARM, a project co-funded by the European Union (EU), to support sustainable waste management on campus.

Participants reiterated the need for stronger partnerships, effective policy implementation, environmental education and community engagement to address the growing threats posed by climate change and environmental degradation.

(NAN)