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From a mid-year team retreat to standing against pipeline projects, our activities spanned the globe. Notably, our Director, Nnimmo Bassey, was honored with an honorary Doctorate of Law from York University. Find all the details in this edition of your newsletter.
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Hello there,
Welcome to November. Here’s how we were healing territories in the last month.
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Mid-Year Team Retreat and Project Review Meeting
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Our mid-year team retreat held on the 5th & 6th of October at HOMEF’s International Headquarters in Benin City, with some team members joining via zoom. The meeting was an avenue to review project activities, re-examine work done through the thematic focus of healing territories, and find new ways to improve our impact as a think tank. See photos from the meeting here.
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On October 11, our Director Nnimmo Bassey was hosted by Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Toronto. There, he shared about the reality of climate change and the myriad of environmental justice issues we face as a society. His talk was a reminder of the existential threat we all face and ignited hope for those who struggle with climate-fueled droughts, conflict, terrorism and forced migration.
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In another development, we stood in solidarity with a coalition of indigenous land defenders across Turtle Island resisting Canadian TC Energy's pipelines on their land. The coalition converged in Toronto on October 13 & 14. There was a rally & march, and a panel & film screening with our Director as a special guest. Read about the event here and catch the speech by Nnimmo Bassey here at 01:08:30 minute.
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Discourses for a just future
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Nnimmo Bassey was an international guest in Berlin at “Pluriversum”, an event that platforms diverse voices and amplifies indigenous and social movements. The event was hosted by The Evangelical Academy in Berlin on October 14 and discussed topics of sustainability, climate justice, post-growth, participation, empowerment and strengthening of civil society away from the eurocentric perspective.
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No to GE and other dangerous distractions!
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On October 17, we co-organised a side-event at the CBD with the ETC Group to discuss the climate-biodiversity link. Mfoniso Antia, representing HOMEF, expressed deep concerns about geoengineering (GE) technologies. At the meeting in Nairobi, She highlighted that GE is being promoted by billionaires and major greenhouse gas-emitting corporations to evade taking responsibility.
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National Conference on Climate Change
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We were present at CAPPA's annual climate change conference organised to interrogate the significance of the Loss and Damage Fund, the Nairobi Declaration and global climate conversations of national interest. We assessed Nigeria’s agenda for COP28 and centred discussions on creating a sustainable agenda for climate finance for Nigeria.
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To challenge extractivism and land grabbing activities in local communities in the Niger Delta, we held cycles of reflection meetings at Okoroutip, Akwa Ibom State, and Eteo Community, Rivers state on 23-25 October and 27-29 October respectively. Three key themes were discussed: community solidarity, community integration and community responsibility.
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We are officially in court
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HOMEF is leading a team of CSOs on Section 57 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) against these defendants: the National Assembly, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. The PIA criminalizes host communities for civil unrest and shifts liability for damage, injury, vandalism and sabotage. This is unjust and inconsistent with the 1999 constitution of Nigeria
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York University Honours Nnimmo Bassey
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On 13 October 2023, Nnimmo Bassey was conferred with an honorary Doctorate Degree of Law by York University during their fall convocation. He was recognised for his profound contribution to public good as an activist, architect, environmentalist, author, and poet. This conferment from York University is the second honorary doctorate that Bassey has received. Read more about it here.
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Follow up from the Just Energy Transition
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In June, we met with a delegation from the Global South on climate, debt, reparations, and a just energy transition. Here's the delegation in action and the ensuing manifesto which you can read and sign here.
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After celebrating a decade of great achievements in the struggle for environmental justice, we are back in the trenches and the journey continues. In this issue, we feature Prof Niyi Osundare's keynote paper and a review of 'Politics of Turbulent Waters'. Additionally, we address the global 'polycrisis', pollution from plastics, GMOs, and the importance of Ecuador's environmental decision. Read the issue here.
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Agroecology can feed the world, cool the planet and help local farmers adapt to climate change impacts. We marked #WorldFoodDay2023 by passionately reaffirming our commitment to agroecology and responsible water usage. Watch our video here.
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Our climate in the crossfire of war
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This year alone, NATO members—mostly rich states historically responsible for the climate crisis—spent $1.26 trillion on their militaries. New research shows that this could have paid for 12 years of promised—and still not delivered—climate finance to impoverished countries to help them deal with the climate crisis. Read the research here.
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After the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Mongabay interviewed Nnimmo Bassey to delve deeper into his journey as an activist, his inspirations, and his reflections on the recently concluded Summit. Read the interview here.
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That’s it for October. Wondering what we’ll be doing this month? Follow us on social media @ecohomef.
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