Muslim leaders organise workshop on climate change

The Education Trust Fund of Sheikh Dr Osmanu Nuhu Sharabutu in collaboration with the British Council on Monday organised a workshop for Muslim leaders to create awareness on the significance of climate change.

The programme was on the theme: “The emerging threats of climate change; the role of Muslim leaders in combating the menace.”

Mr Chris Gordon, Acting Director of the Institute of Environment and Sanitation Studies, University of Ghana, Legon said noted that human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of forests for farming were increasing the levels of carbon dioxide and heat, which trapped gases into the atmosphere.

He said climate change affected rainfall, temperature and water availability for agricultural production in vulnerable areas, which resulted to extreme floods, droughts, tropical storms, erosion, saltwater intrusion and loss of land.

Mr Gordon said with predicted changes in temperature, cocoa production would not be possible in Ghana by 2080.

He expressed the need for the mobilisation of the world population to respond to the challenges of climate change, which he noted required new kinds of partnerships across all segments of the society.

Mr Gordon said slowing the rate of deforestation was the cheapest and one of the most effective ways to combat climate change.

Mr Mama Gado Mohammed, Spokesperson for the Chief Imam said the effects of human activities such as charcoal burning, bush burning and the use of firewood contributed to the emerging trend of climate change.

He urged the citizenry to plant trees to help clean the air from pollution that contributed to global warming.

Source: GNA