In a significant step towards combating climate change, the University of Plymouth in England and the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have partnered on sustainable water and land management. The collaboration, aimed at advancing research and manpower development, focuses on climate-smart practices to mitigate environmental challenges.
Director of the Sustainable Earth Institute at the University of Plymouth, William Blake, announced the partnership on Wednesday during a visit to UNICAL. He explained that the initiative is supported by a British government grant designed to foster partnerships with institutions in Nigeria and Ghana.
Mr. Blake highlighted the core objectives, stating: “We are interested in understanding the different skill sets and the different research questions in the area of water and land management among scholars in the country. This will enable us to formulate research plans together and co-design research strategies and solutions that can help.”
The collaboration will emphasize soil health as a key factor in addressing food security and climate adaptation. Mr. Blake elaborated on the importance of soil organic matter, saying: “Soil health rests on soil organic matter. The more we work, particularly on soil organic matter, and know the amount of carbon stored in the soil, we will know the key benefits that come with it. Change in the soil structure reduces flooding, improves productivity, and all the problems associated with it; healthy soil will help prevent this.”
The partnership also aims to build synergy between the institutions for sustainable environmental management, enhancing research on carbon emissions and the blue and green economy.
Ralph Offiong, Director of the Carbon Emissions Centre at UNICAL, welcomed the initiative, noting the pressing threat of climate change. He commented: “Climate change is a serious threat to mankind because it is affecting ecosystems, humanity, businesses, and everything, from the clothes we wear to the food we eat and every other thing we do.”
Vice-Chancellor of UNICAL, Florence Obi, underscored the relevance of the partnership to the region, stating through Deputy Vice-Chancellor Eno Nta: “We belong to the riverine part of the country; our people live on water; our livelihood is in water. It is good, therefore, to understand the water better—how we are encroaching on it or how the water is encroaching on us too.”
The collaboration is expected to provide innovative solutions for mitigating climate change impacts and enhancing the resilience of local communities, while strengthening academic and research ties between Nigeria and the UK.
