When Climate Change Hits Home: A Personal Journey
By Chisom Nnajiofor, October 2, 2023
Chisom Nnajiofor went from climate change skeptic to advocate after seeing local impacts firsthand in Borno state, Nigeria. Her eye-opening personal journey mirrors our challenge to recognize AND act on the climate crisis.
Like many young people, I was once skeptical about climate change. As a recent graduate embarking on national youth service in Nigeria, the topic seemed abstract and removed from my daily life. It was easy to dismiss it as someone else’s problem. However, fate brought me face-to-face with the harsh realities of a warming planet.
I was assigned to Borno state, a prosperous center of agricultural success, renowned for its extensive fertile lands and a thriving farming sector. During its prime, agriculture contributed up to 65% of the state’s Gross Domestic Product. The region's ample livestock, including cattle, sheep, and goats, symbolized its prosperity. In my heart, I eagerly anticipated being assigned to Borno, envisioning a land where nature was bountiful and opportunities seemed limitless. However, reality unfolded in unforeseen ways.
Upon my arrival in Borno, I was confronted with the harsh realities that contradicted my expectations. Over the past decade, the region has experienced a devastating 30% decline in annual rainfall. Consequently, prolonged droughts, water scarcity, and a cycle of hardships have engulfed the lives of Borno's inhabitants. Maize production dropped from 1.2 million tons to 350,000 metric tons. This significant decrease, a manifestation of the changing climate, plunged farmers into a desperate struggle for survival, casting a shadow of uncertainty and economic adversity.
Extreme heat waves over 40°C kept children home from school to avoid deadly risks. Crops withered and died without predictable rains. I witnessed how climate change can ravage a community—the statistics manifesting as human tragedy. This eye-opening experience filled me with a mix of emotions: sadness, frustration, and a strong determination. It fueled my passion to find solutions, knowing people's lives in Borno depended on it.
My ignorance was replaced with a desire to understand the root causes and find meaningful solutions. This led me to pursue a Master's Degree in environmental policy, so I could be equipped with the skills and knowledge to drive substantive change. I transformed from a climate skeptic to an engaged advocate with Change the Chamber*Lobby for Climate, an organization dedicated to addressing the systemic drivers of climate change through policy advocacy and civic engagement.
My personal transformation, from being a skeptic to becoming an advocate, mirrors the broader global challenge that we all confront. Climate change is not a distant matter; it is an unyielding reality that affects millions across the globe. The severe hurricanes in the Atlantic and the displacement of Californians by wildfires vividly demonstrate far-reaching consequences of climate change on both societies and ecosystems.
As I contemplate my own journey, I am reminded of the pressing need for action. Climate change is not an abstract concept—it is an urgent crisis that necessitates our immediate attention and unwavering commitment. Just as I learned valuable lessons in Borno, we must all recognize the immediacy and urgency of the climate crisis. Together, we have the power to effect change and ensure that climate change does not dictate our future in the same way it did for the people of Borno.
Change The Chamber is a bipartisan coalition of over 100 student groups, including undergraduates, graduate students and recent graduates.