{"id":79435,"date":"2025-06-10T18:54:50","date_gmt":"2025-06-10T17:54:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/?p=79435"},"modified":"2025-06-10T18:55:46","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T17:55:46","slug":"empowering-climate-advocacy-through-science-reflections-from-the-youth-climate-action-workshop-in-nigeria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/2025\/06\/10\/empowering-climate-advocacy-through-science-reflections-from-the-youth-climate-action-workshop-in-nigeria\/","title":{"rendered":"Empowering Climate Advocacy Through Science: Reflections from the Youth Climate Action Workshop in Nigeria"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"335\" data-end=\"552\">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.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"554\" data-end=\"1121\"><strong data-start=\"554\" data-end=\"573\">Workshop Report<\/strong><br data-start=\"573\" data-end=\"576\" \/>The Youth Climate Action, themed <em data-start=\"609\" data-end=\"663\">\u201cEmpowering the Next Generation for Climate Action,\u201d<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1123\" data-end=\"1890\">During the workshop, I delivered a presentation titled <em data-start=\"1178\" data-end=\"1290\">\u201cLack of Climate Observation Data for Climate Studies in Africa: Implication of Stalagmites as Climate Tools.\u201d<\/em> My talk addressed the persistent scarcity of long-term, high-resolution climate observation data in West and Central Africa\u2014regions 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.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1892\" data-end=\"2092\">I also discussed methodological challenges, including accessibility to cave sites and analytical constraints, while advocating for interdisciplinary collaboration to advance stalagmite-based research.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2094\" data-end=\"2426\">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\u2019s climate resilience.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2428\" data-end=\"2511\">I am deeply grateful to GECIAI for organising this impactful and timely initiative.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2428\" data-end=\"2511\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"79437\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/2025\/06\/10\/empowering-climate-advocacy-through-science-reflections-from-the-youth-climate-action-workshop-in-nigeria\/photo-2025-05-12-17-17-47\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/PHOTO-2025-05-12-17-17-47.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"864,1080\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"PHOTO-2025-05-12-17-17-47\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/PHOTO-2025-05-12-17-17-47-240x300.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/PHOTO-2025-05-12-17-17-47-819x1024.jpg\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-79437\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/PHOTO-2025-05-12-17-17-47-240x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/PHOTO-2025-05-12-17-17-47-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/PHOTO-2025-05-12-17-17-47-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/PHOTO-2025-05-12-17-17-47-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/PHOTO-2025-05-12-17-17-47-320x400.jpg 320w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/PHOTO-2025-05-12-17-17-47.jpg 864w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"79438\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/2025\/06\/10\/empowering-climate-advocacy-through-science-reflections-from-the-youth-climate-action-workshop-in-nigeria\/med_3116\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/MED_3116.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,800\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D7200&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1747484651&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;2500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"MED_3116\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/MED_3116-300x200.jpeg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/MED_3116-1024x683.jpeg\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-79438\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/MED_3116-300x200.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/MED_3116-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/MED_3116-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/MED_3116-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/MED_3116-940x627.jpeg 940w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/MED_3116-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/MED_3116.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"79439\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/2025\/06\/10\/empowering-climate-advocacy-through-science-reflections-from-the-youth-climate-action-workshop-in-nigeria\/title_geciai_fatai\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Title_GECIAI_Fatai.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,675\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Title_GECIAI_Fatai\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Title_GECIAI_Fatai-300x169.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Title_GECIAI_Fatai-1024x576.jpg\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-79439\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Title_GECIAI_Fatai-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Title_GECIAI_Fatai-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Title_GECIAI_Fatai-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Title_GECIAI_Fatai-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Title_GECIAI_Fatai-940x529.jpg 940w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Title_GECIAI_Fatai-680x383.jpg 680w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Title_GECIAI_Fatai-711x400.jpg 711w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Title_GECIAI_Fatai.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"79440\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/2025\/06\/10\/empowering-climate-advocacy-through-science-reflections-from-the-youth-climate-action-workshop-in-nigeria\/fatai_geciai_image\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Fatai_GECIAI_Image.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,800\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D7200&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1747486117&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;60&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;2500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Fatai_GECIAI_Image\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Fatai_GECIAI_Image-300x200.jpeg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Fatai_GECIAI_Image-1024x683.jpeg\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-79440\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Fatai_GECIAI_Image-300x200.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Fatai_GECIAI_Image-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Fatai_GECIAI_Image-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Fatai_GECIAI_Image-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Fatai_GECIAI_Image-940x627.jpeg 940w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Fatai_GECIAI_Image-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Fatai_GECIAI_Image.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 ReportThe Youth Climate Action, themed \u201cEmpowering the Next&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/2025\/06\/10\/empowering-climate-advocacy-through-science-reflections-from-the-youth-climate-action-workshop-in-nigeria\/\">More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25255,"featured_media":79440,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/files\/2025\/06\/Fatai_GECIAI_Image.jpeg","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79435"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25255"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=79435"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79435\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79442,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79435\/revisions\/79442"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79440"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79435"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79435"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/environment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79435"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}