Temitope DadaTemitope Dada

Temitope is a broadcaster/newscaster, public speaker and change agent. She enjoys story telling and re-writing narratives through her social works and actions.

6 Interesting Facts About Tim Walz- Kamala Harris’ Running Mate

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Tim Walz has been selected by Kamala Harris of the United States of America as her running mate for the upcoming 2024 US presidential election. Many Americans expected whom Harris would pick as her vice for the presidential race, being a coloured female who had served as the vice president for Joe Biden for three and a half years. At the announcement of Tim, so many never expected such a qualified and competent running mate, whom was not well known. Below are basic interesting facts about Tim, Walz. Tim Walz is an American politician serving as the Governor of Minnesota. Walz was elected as the Governor of Minnesota, in 2018. He was serving his sixth term representing Minnesota congressional district. He serves the southern Minnesota on three committees in the United States. He assumed office on January 7, 2019. As governor, he has focused on issues such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and climate change.   He had his early life and education in Nebraska. Tim Walz was born on April 6, 1964, in West Point, Nebraska. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science from Chadron State College and a Master’s degree in Education from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Tim’s father was a public administrator and community activist. From a tender age, Tim had learned the values of hard work and community service. These values instilled propelled him as a leader through his career trajectory.   He served as a former social studies teacher and high school football coach. In Tim’s career, before venturing into politics, he had a teaching career. Tim was a high school teacher and a coach. He served as a geography teacher and coach at Mankato west High school. He started teaching from 1989-1990 in a high school, in China, as part of the first government groups of American educators. These were those who taught in China, through a program at the Harvard University. He taught social studies and coached various sports at Mankato West High School.     Tim Walz was a National Guard veteran. In his military service, Walz served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1989 to 2005. He was deployed to Kosovo and also served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Also, he is regarded as the highest-ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in the congress. Walz has been recognized for his work in Congress with awards from different organisations like, the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, the American Cancer Society, the National Association of Development Organizations, the National Farmers Union and the Matthew Shepard Foundation.   Tim Walz began his political career in 2006 when he was elected as the U.S. Representative for Minnesota’s 1st congressional district. He served in the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2019. He is a ranking member of the Agricultural subcommittees on General farm commodities and risk Management. Tim Walz serves as the co-chair for the congressional sportsmen’s caucus, and has leadership post at the National Guard, Reserve Caucus and the congressional Veterans Job Caucus.   His Personal Life: Walz is married to Gwen Walz, his wife whom he in Nebraska. They both got married in 1994 but had to wait for seven years before they had their children. Also, they have two children whom Tim describes as being born through the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process, after years of struggling with infertility. Currently, the family resides in Mankato, Minnesota. Walz attends the Evangelical church in America. He has once been arrested for driving in 1995, under the influence of alcohol, which he never took afterwards.   ALSO READ: Colorado Court Disqualifies Trump from 2024 Ballot

Clean Energy: 5 Importance Of Utilizing It

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In a revolving world of different industrial changes, and technological advancements, there has been a need for a shift in the variant of energy sources used for man’s actions. This is due to several disintegrating effects of natural energy sources on the atmosphere and the environment. Also, the gradual depleting of these natural energy sources which takes years, to be renewed. Therefore, the use of fossil fuels, wood, coal, and crude has led to issues of global warming, greenhouse gas emissions, ozone layer depletion, and climatic changes in different ways. To combat the issues of climate change which in turn affects human life and actions, the technology of clean energy was invented. The term ‘clean energy refers to a kind of energy technology bordering on sustainable energy sources. A notable fact about clean energy is that it has zero emissions, in that it does not pollute the atmosphere, and carbon dioxide is not released into the atmosphere. Hence, it is a kind of electricity, power, or energy generated that is carbon-free. In contrast to conventional fossil fuels, clean energy sources emit little or no pollution or greenhouse gases. It’s essential to combating climate change and lessening our influence on the environment. Also, clean energy is termed clean because it is sustainable, does not affect the environment, man, or his activities, and can be used with almost no side effects. Clean energy as a technology has evolved through the years and has turned out to be a reliable and sustainable source of energy. The basic examples of clean energy are solar Energy and Wind Energy. Clean energy can also be obtained from nuclear sources, like nuclear energy, geothermal energy, hydroelectric energy, biomass, tidal and wave power. Solar energy as a form of clean energy traps and converts energy from the sun to electric current, which has zero emissions into the atmosphere. The wind energy, in turn, uses blown air from turbines, and energy created by the rotating blades is converted into electricity. Nuclear energy is generated through nuclear fission, where atoms are split into smaller atoms which generate heat/steam to power electricity. Also, geothermal energy is energy obtained from heat from the earth’s core. This is done by drilling holes where steam and water rise to the surface and electricity is generated. Additionally, Photovoltaic cells are how solar power generates electricity from sunlight. It is getting cheaper and more plentiful. Wind power produces electricity using wind turbines. This field is expanding and extremely effective in windy environments. In contrast, hydropower uses the flow of water—typically created by dams on rivers—to produce electricity. It’s among the most traditional and well-established sources of clean energy. Geothermal energy produces power or direct heating by harnessing heat from within the Earth. It can deliver steady electricity and is dependable. Secondly, biomass is the process of creating energy from organic materials (such as garbage, wood, and crops). The clean energy system has several benefits, not only to the environment, and man. Firstly, it leads to the prevention of environmental hazards. Secondly, it helps reduce the occurrence of environmental disasters. Thirdly, it has gravitated to the creation of reliable and sustainable power supplies. Fourthly, it will help in the reduction of air pollution, which in turn reduces harmful smog, toxic build-ups, respiratory diseases, and pollution in the air and water. In addition, the emergence of clean energy is leading to a reduction in over-dependence on natural fuels for energy. Transitioning to clean energy helps mitigate climate change, reduces air and water pollution, and can lead to more sustainable energy systems overall. Then, this also leads to the creation of more jobs due to the emerging sector. Likewise, the use of clean energy helps in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, such as Carbon dioxide, and mercury which in turn lead to health-related problems like respiratory diseases (asthma), allergies, and infectious diseases. Also read; Sustainable Agricultural Practices; Navigating The Future Of Food Production

Climate Change: 10 Major Effects On Human Life

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10 MAJOR CONSEQUENCES OF CLIMATE CHANGES ON HUMAN LIFE

This article you are about to read is an expository on the consequences of climate change on human life and the natural environment. Climate change refers to a shift in the Earth’s temperature and weather conditions as a result of human actions. This is driven primarily by greenhouse gas emissions and has extensive effects on the Earth’s climate system. The impacts of climate change manifest across multiple dimensions. These include temperature increases, altered rainfall patterns, and rising sea levels, among other consequences on natural systems and human infrastructure. As a result of temperature increases, regions around the world now experience global warming. Research has shown that the global average temperature has increased by approximately 1.2°C since the late 19th century, with significant regional variations. This warming trend is attributed to high concentrations of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Also, extreme heat events now occur around the globe, owing to climate changes. Higher temperatures are associated with an increased frequency and intensity of heat waves. According to recent climate models, the likelihood of extreme heat events is projected to rise, with potential impacts on human health, agriculture, and energy consumption. For example, heatwaves have been linked to increased incidences of heat stress, cardiovascular, and respiratory disorders. Likewise, climate change is altering global rainfall patterns, which is leading to more intense and frequent rainfall in some regions and prolonged droughts in others. Regions such as the Mediterranean and southwestern United States are said to be experiencing decreased rainfall and increased drought frequency, while monsoon regions like South Asia are facing more intense rainfall. In the same vein, there is now an alteration of rainfall patterns, thus affecting the hydrological cycle. This includes river flow and groundwater recharge in regions of the world. Increased rainfall intensity can lead to more frequent and severe flooding, while reduced rainfall and higher evaporation rates worsen drought conditions in regions experiencing drought. Another consequence of climatic changes is the rise in sea levels. Sea level rise results from the thermal increase of seawater and the melting of ice sheets. Thermal increase contributes approximately 30% of the observed sea level rise, while the melting of ice from Antarctica accounts for the rest. Additionally, rising sea levels threaten coastal ecosystems and human settlements. Coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and increased flooding risk affect infrastructure, agriculture, and ecosystems. According to the National Institute of Health, projected sea level rise of 0.3 to 1.2 meters by 2100 under current emissions scenarios poses significant risks to seaside cities and lowland areas. In addition, climate change is causing shifts in species distributions and affecting biodiversity. For instance, many species are migrating in response to changing temperatures. This is disrupting ecosystems and leading to the loss of habitats and, in turn, species extinction. In oceans, increased CO₂ concentrations are leading to higher levels of carbonic acid in ocean waters, resulting in ocean acidification. Acidification infests marine organisms, which are vital for marine ecosystems and fisheries. Another effect of climate change is on human infrastructure and health. Climate-induced extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and heavy rainfall, pose risks to infrastructure. Increased storms can lead to greater damage to buildings, roads, and utilities. In health, its impacts include the spread of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria. This is because changing temperatures and rainfall patterns affect the habitats of disease vectors like mosquitoes. Then, heatwaves and poor air quality from wildfires can aggravate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. The impacts of climate change are wide-ranging and multifaceted, affecting various aspects of natural systems and human communities. The understanding of these impacts will help develop effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. It is also necessary to address the challenges posed by climate change, as they will inform policy and planning efforts aimed at reducing its adverse effects. Also read: Climate change in Nigeria and its remarkable mark in Agriculture

How To Combat The Agelong Food Insecurity In Nigeria

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HOW TO COMBAT AGELONG FOOD INSECURITY IN NIGERIA

By Temitope Dada Food insecurity has been described by bodies like the United Nations, as the lack of regular access to enough safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development, which includes an active and healthy life too. This means that when people do not have access to good food at a time necessary, they are said to have food insecurity. Moreover, this can be due to a lack of resources to purchase such food supplies or the unavailability of the right food. In a country like Nigeria, where there is a great level of food insecurity as a result of the economic crisis and insurgency; most women, men, children, and youths daily go hungry and are extremely poor. A press release by the National Bureau of Statistics shows that 63% of persons in Nigeria (133 million people) are multidimensionally poor. Hence, this has resulted in health cases hinged on malnutrition, stunting, and underweight, all as a result of nutrition deficiencies. Also, statistics from the World Food Programme have projected that 26.5 million people across the country are projected to face acute hunger in the June-August 2024 season. This signifies necessary measures must be taken to ensure every citizen has access to good food, which is a germane need of every human. What then is the way forward to ensuring the nation produces food and its citizens have access to quality food; people eat their three-square meal, amidst wavering economic challenges and climatic conditions? What is the level of productivity of most farmers and the agricultural sector in the country? The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), says Nigeria’s agricultural system is mostly rainfed, showing that is unsustainable and extremely vulnerable to climate change. Thus, the unsustainable farming practices in Nigeria have contributed to the problem of food insecurity. Therefore, sustainable farming practices are a way forward to addressing food insecurity in the nation. This could be delved into to mitigate the looming hunger crisis, which has led to loss of lives, increased crime rate, and social vices. Sustainable farming refers to a farming process that protects the environment from destruction. It includes environmentally friendly farming practices. An example is the irrigated agriculture. Irrigated agriculture refers to a type of agriculture whereby crops; and plants are artificially watered. This ensures a round-year production and availability of food products. With this system, technological equipment could be used to carry out such watering in large-scale farmlands and plantations instead of waiting for rainy seasons for crop yields. Likewise, the subsistence form of farming is another way to mitigate this food insecurity. Subsistence farming refers to small-scale farming, that is usually not done for commercial purposes but for personal, family, or communal consumption. Families, groups, and individuals can plant crops and plants for their use and consumption. Plants such as rice, wheat, maize, cotton, sugarcane, and various fruits could be grown this this system of farming. People can practice subsistence farming through improved agricultural innovative methods like indoor vertical farming, and gardening in bags and containers. Indoor vertical farming can be practiced by growing farm produce, like Tomatoes, peppers, vegetables, indoors, in a regulated and enclosed space. With this technology, crop productivity can be increased in small spaces by using growing shelves that are set vertically. Frequently, the soil is not needed for the shelves but the plants grown with the roots in water and nutrient solutions (hydroponics). For gardening in bags or containers; the containers should be first filled with compost, then loamy soil before the seed is planted. Likewise, small holes should be made in the containers or bags for easy movement of water in the soil and passage of oxygen.   Also Read: Sustainable Agricultural Practices; Navigating The Future Of Food Production