REEEP

AREAS OF FOCUS 1. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation 2. Public Health and Environmental Researches 3. Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency 4. Environmental & Health Education 5. Water Supply and Sanitation 6. Disaster Management 7. Biodiversity Conservation 8. Wetlands Resources Conservation 9. Gender and Charity ACTIVITIES 1. Coping with Climate Change and Environmental Degradation in the Niger Delta of Southern Nigeria. The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is the bedrock of the Nigerian economy making the country the sixth oil producing nation in the world. The communities in this region are faced with adverse effects of the ever changing climate and environmental degradation resulting from exploitation and exploration activities of the multinational oil companies. The study highlights in details the climatic and environmental changes that have occurred in the Niger Delta region and shows the relationship between these changes and poverty. The study elaborates on the inherent adaptive strategies that has been adopted by the people of the Niger Delta and suggest ways to strengthen existing capacity of the people to adapt to climate change and adverse environmental changes. It reveals the weaknesses and deficiencies in the Nigerian Constitution in administering environmental rights to the people and suggests institutional and constitutional solution to solving these problems in the region. Full report at www.credcentre.org 2. Clarion Call for Sustainable Energy The first regional conference on the Advocacy Phase of the PREEEN project held on the 18 July, 2006. The conference was titled “Renewable Energy: The Key to Sustainable Energy Development in Nigeria”. The event was attended by participants from government, academics, NGOs, student bodies, private sector and representatives of the Nigerian Union of Teachers and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The event was aimed at creating awareness on renewable energy technologies (RETs) and their potential for sustainable development and to build capacity in the civil society to enhance their participation in a forthcoming national dialogue to integrate renewable energy and energy efficiency into the policy framework of Nigeria. It facilitated the creation of a network of renewable energy advocates (REAs) that will front the development of RETs in Nigeria. Full report at www.credcentre.org 3. Dams are Unrenewable Stream regulation poses a threat not only to the aquatic habitat but also to the surrounding terrestrial environment. Damming has physical, chemical and geomorphological consequences on steams and rivers by altering the natural distribution and timing of flow. Stream regulation affects primary biological productivity of ecosystems including effects on riverine and riparian plant life on downstream habitats. Reservoir interrupts the downstream flow of organic carbon, leading to emissions of greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide that contribute to climate changes. “Dam are Unrenewable” is a discussion paper that critically analyses the benefits and impacts of the dam technology and suggests that the technology should be regarded as unrenewable and unsustainable. The paper recommended that the world should exploit other options to dams, which may include wind power, solar, biomas and ocean energy system to produce electricity. For water supply, rain water harvesting, desalination of marine water and wastewater recycling are better options. Download full document at www.credcentre.org 4. Water Monitoring of Ikpoba River Southern Nigeria Rivers are well known for their contribution to civilization. Many communities of the world have relied on their enormous resources as means of their livelihood. Rivers are the major source of fresh water to man amid other resources. In ancient times, most urban settlements have developed around waterways which served as transport media, water sources and food sources. Man’s economic and technological advancement have been at loggerheads with these resources. Untreated wastes pose serious treat to associated environment especially the aquatic environment subsequently posing serious treats to human health and riparian livelihood. Commonly cited effects of industrial effluents on aquatic environments are high turbidity, reduced transparency, increased suspended solids and oxygen depletion. The research project reported on some water quality parameters of Ikpoba River in Edo State of Southern. It suggested feasible institutional and legislative measures to protect the endangered river. 5. Promoting Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Nigeria The second regional conference of the Advocacy Phase of the PREEEN project was organized by the CREDC with support from the Global Greengrants Funds and the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria on the 21 November, 2007 at the University of Calabar Hotel and Conference Centre, Calabar, Nigeria. The event was tagged “Promoting Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Nigeria” was organized to create awareness on renewable energy and energy efficiency in Nigeria; and to enhance stakeholders’ capacity to advocate for renewable energy and energy efficiency. The conference was attended by Twenty-eight participants drawn from the government, academics, NGOs, private sectors, student bodies, and the media. The event featured paper presentations, discussions and resolutions. Download full report at www.credcentre.org

• Worldwide