In spite of regulations banning gas flaring for more than a quarter of a century, the Nigerian government has yet to implement such policies effectively. January 1st marked the passing of yet another deadline. To read more click here.
Gas flares in Nigeria alone release more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than the rest of human activities in sub-Saharan Africa combined. Furthermore, the practice has contributed to serious respiratory illnesses and other diseases for people living in the region and has significant impacts on the local environment, particularly in the form of air and water pollution.
Greengrants continues to support community-based groups in Nigeria working on this pressing issue. Groups such as Edo Research and Information Center (ERIC) have researched and documented the social impacts of gas flaring. This dangerous practice contributes not only to childhood asthma and cancer rates, but also significantly to global warming and acid rain, acidifying lakes, streams, and damaging vegetation. ERIC’s research in rural, oil-bearing communities helps support local residents’ claims that their natural resources and land fertility have been depleted due to the continuous gas flaring in their communities. By publishing their findings and raising awareness on the local impact of gas flares, ERIC is developing an approach to curb the practice. In addition, ERIC is training local communities to engage in campaign and strategies to further support their advocacy efforts.
Another grantee, the Gas Flare Impacted Communities Group, is comprised of representatives of eight different communities that have suffered from the harsh effects of gas flaring. Greengrants’ funding covered the necessary legal costs for this group and others like it that have pursued legal action against corporations to ensure that oil giants are held accountable for their actions.
In Nigeria, human health and the environment have frequently been secondary considerations for oil companies and the government. Unfortunately, the onus to curb the practice has waivered between the two, each shirking responsibility for implementing the ban. Despite continuing setbacks, Greengrants will continue to support affected communities in Nigeria who have few resources and little political support to avert such threats to their health and livelihoods.
To view a complete list of grants we’ve made to groups in Nigeria click here.
Click here to access a recording of our recent conference call on Energy Justice.