Our PhD student, Fatai Ilesanmi, recently contributed to a high-impact climate event in Nigeria, where he shared insights on innovative palaeoclimate research and youth-led environmental solutions.
Workshop Report
The Youth Climate Action, themed “Empowering the Next Generation for Climate Action,” was held on May 17, 2025, at the Oasis Event Center and Conference Hall in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. It convened over 150 participants, including students, policymakers, youth leaders, researchers, NGOs, and other stakeholders. Organised by GreenEarth Conservation Impact and Awareness Initiative (GECIAI), the event aimed to raise awareness and foster youth engagement in addressing climate change through knowledge exchange and practical collaboration.
During the workshop, I delivered a presentation titled “Lack of Climate Observation Data for Climate Studies in Africa: Implication of Stalagmites as Climate Tools.” My talk addressed the persistent scarcity of long-term, high-resolution climate observation data in West and Central Africa—regions particularly vulnerable to climate variability. I highlighted the value of stalagmites as robust palaeoclimate proxies, capable of filling critical data gaps through geochemical and isotopic analysis. Stalagmites, archived in caves across Africa, can provide continuous records of past rainfall, temperature, and monsoon dynamics spanning thousands of years. These records are crucial for validating global climate models and informing regional adaptation strategies.
I also discussed methodological challenges, including accessibility to cave sites and analytical constraints, while advocating for interdisciplinary collaboration to advance stalagmite-based research.
The workshop underscored the importance of youth empowerment in climate advocacy. Through interactive sessions, participants co-developed strategies for engaging communities in environmental stewardship. I left the workshop inspired, better connected, and equipped with actionable tools to contribute to Africa’s climate resilience.
I am deeply grateful to GECIAI for organising this impactful and timely initiative.
