Agrarian communities in Akwa Ibom have been called upon to embrace nature-based solutions, including tree planting, sustainable farming, and the cessation of bush burning, to counteract the escalating effects of climate change on livelihoods and food production. This appeal was made during a World Environment Day 2026 event held on June 5 in Nkana, Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The event was organized by Peace Point Development Foundation (PPDF), a civil society organization dedicated to promoting ecological justice in the Niger Delta.
Event Highlights and Key Messages
Themed “Climate Action and the Role of Nature-Based Solutions,” the gathering brought together selected farmers from agrarian communities across the Etinan Local Government Area. Participants emphasized that communities must take concrete steps to safeguard the environment and enhance resilience against climate-related adversities. The federal government of Nigeria has previously indicated plans to explore additional nature-based solutions to address climate change in the country.
Coordinator's Remarks
Speaking at the event, PPDF coordinator Umo Isua-ikoh noted that climate change has become a daily reality for rural communities whose livelihoods heavily depend on agriculture. He pointed out that farmers are already experiencing its effects through irregular rainfall patterns, prolonged dry spells, flooding, soil degradation, rising temperatures, and declining crop yields. “For our farmers, climate change is no longer a distant concept discussed only by scientists and policymakers. It is becoming a daily reality,” Mr. Isua-ikoh stated.
He highlighted that nature-based solutions offer some of the most affordable and effective responses to the climate crisis. These measures include planting and protecting trees, restoring degraded lands, preserving wetlands, preventing bush burning, protecting water bodies, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices. “These actions help communities adapt to climate change while improving agricultural productivity and strengthening local economies,” he added.
Call to Action for Farmers
Mr. Isua-ikoh urged farmers to maintain tree cover on farmlands, embrace organic manure, and cultivate economic trees that provide both environmental and economic benefits. He stressed that climate action is a collective responsibility, not solely the duty of governments and development organizations. “Every tree planted matters. Every bushfire prevented matters. Every effort to preserve our natural resources matters,” he emphasized.
Visible Impacts of Climate Change
In a presentation on climate action and nature-based solutions, PPDF environmental associate Idongesit Essien highlighted how changing weather patterns are affecting farming communities. He noted that excessive heat, the disappearance of the traditional harmattan season, and irregular rainfall have made farming increasingly difficult. Many farmers previously relied on predictable seasonal patterns for planting and harvesting but can no longer accurately forecast rainfall.
“Recently, there has been no harmattan as we used to know it. Farmers relied on that season for some agricultural activities, including harvesting crops such as cocoyam,” Mr. Essien said. He added that excessive heat and changing weather conditions have contributed to reduced harvests in many communities.
Human Activities as Drivers
Mr. Essien attributed much of the climate crisis to human activities, identifying deforestation, biodiversity loss, bush burning, and the excessive use of chemicals—particularly herbicides—as major drivers. He lamented the disappearance of family forest reserves that once helped preserve biodiversity and ecological balance. “Our forebears planted trees. Today, we cut them down without replacing them. The trees that should trap greenhouse gases are no longer there,” he stated.
He urged communities to return to environmentally friendly agricultural practices and embrace nature-based solutions that restore ecosystem health while improving food production. “When nature is healthy, it provides food through improved yields,” he concluded.
Participants' Commitments
Some participants pledged to apply the lessons learned during the program. Farmer Eno Pius said the training deepened her understanding of the links between environmental protection and agricultural productivity. She pledged to stop bush burning and increase tree planting in her environment.
Community leader Ebong Ituen called on oil companies operating in Akwa Ibom to take climate action more seriously and asked government agencies to strengthen environmental regulation. Mr. Ituen assured organizers that participants would share the knowledge gained with other community members. “We will cascade these lessons to others in our communities so that everyone can contribute their quota to climate action,” he said.
