Public concern about climate change has dropped significantly in Kenya and South Africa in 2025, according to new data released by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) during its General Assembly.

Findings from the 2025 Global Consumer Awareness Survey, conducted by IPSOS across 50 countries with more than 40,000 respondents, reveal that global attention has shifted from climate issues to geopolitical and security concerns. While war and conflict (52%) now top the list of global public worries, climate change trails at 31%.

In Kenya, concern for climate change fell sharply from 42% in 2022 to 30% in 2025, though deforestation remains the top environmental issue, with 47% of respondents citing it as their primary concern — the highest globally. South Africa also recorded a decline from 32% to 25%, while in Egypt, which joined the survey for the first time, 32% of respondents identified wildfires as a major environmental threat.

Despite declining climate anxiety, many Africans still recognize the deep connection between forests, livelihoods, and climate stability. “When people see forests under pressure, they connect the dots between nature, water, and livelihoods. Protecting forests isn’t just about trees — it’s about stability, resilience, and hope in a changing climate,” said Subhra Bhattacharjee, FSC Director General.

The report further shows that droughts and floods are major issues in Kenya, with 40% of respondents expressing concern — 10 points higher than South Africa and 13 points above Egypt.

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In terms of biodiversity, South Africans (42%) expressed the highest concern over the loss of plant and animal species, exceeding the global average of 36%.

While public worry about climate change is softening, consumer behavior remains environmentally conscious. Across the surveyed markets, 72% of consumers said they prefer products that do not harm plants or animals. In Kenya, 79% of respondents believe sustainability information on products should be certified by an independent organization, underscoring continued demand for transparency in sustainable sourcing.

“Even as global priorities shift, people here continue to care about forests and the livelihoods they sustain. They want transparency, fairness, and proof that the products they buy make a real difference,” said Annah Agasha, Deputy Director, FSC Africa.

FSC warns that as global crises such as war, pandemics, and inflation dominate public debate, climate action risks slipping down the policy agenda. The organization is calling for integrated strategies that combine environmental protection with social and economic security, ensuring that climate priorities remain central to global decision-making.

The findings are being discussed this week at the FSC General Assembly, where international stakeholders are shaping the future of responsible forest management and its role in combating climate change.

The Partnership for Development Action (PADAC) Foundation has commenced the planting of 100,000 tree seedlings across Jigawa State as part of efforts to combat the adverse effects of climate change.

The initiative, which is part of PADAC’s 2025 tree planting campaign, was flagged off on Thursday in Dutse, the state capital. PADAC is a focal group of the Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project currently being implemented in the state.

Speaking during the launch, the Executive Director of PADAC, Aisha Muhammad, said the foundation started the campaign with the planting of 1,500 tree seedlings within Dutse metropolis. She noted that the foundation is targeting the planting of 100,000 drought-resistant tree seedlings throughout the year, with the aim of mitigating the worsening effects of climate change in Jigawa.

Muhammad explained that the seedlings are being planted along selected roads and in communities that are particularly vulnerable to desertification and soil degradation. She urged the benefiting communities to take ownership of the project by protecting and nurturing the seedlings to maturity.

According to her, trees play a vital role in curbing environmental challenges such as erosion, excessive heat, and loss of biodiversity, all of which are becoming more severe due to climate change.

Read Also: Climate Change threatens women’s health in Nigeria, experts warn

Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Mr. Hatuna Aliyu, commended PADAC for the initiative and described it as timely and impactful. He said that tree planting enhances air quality, supports biodiversity, and prevents erosion. He added that members of the state legislature would replicate the exercise in their various constituencies to support climate action across the state.

Also speaking, Alhaji Mustafa Aminu, a council member of the Dutse Emirate Council, emphasized the role of trees as natural windbreakers and their contribution to improving overall air quality in the region.

One of the beneficiaries, Ibrahim Fagge, expressed his support for the initiative and called on fellow residents to take responsibility for the maintenance of the trees. He said he would personally ensure the protection of the seedlings planted in his area and encouraged others to do the same in order to maximize the benefits of the tree planting campaign.

The initiative is expected to help strengthen environmental resilience in the face of increasing climate challenges in northern Nigeria. It also aligns with national and global efforts to promote sustainability and reduce the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities.

Health experts have sounded the alarm over the growing impact of climate change on public health in Nigeria, with a particular focus on the disproportionate risks faced by women and vulnerable populations.

The warning came during a high-level panel session held on Thursday in Abuja, themed: “Addressing the Effects of Climate Change on Health.” Stakeholders from health, policy, and civil society sectors convened to explore locally driven solutions, equity-based partnerships, and climate-resilient health systems in Africa.

Dr. Amina Dorayi, Regional Director at Pathfinder International, highlighted how extreme weather events like floods and heatwaves disrupt access to essential reproductive and maternal health services.

“Pregnancy does not pause for climate disasters,” Dorayi said, stressing that mobility challenges and supply chain breakdowns during emergencies often prevent women from accessing antenatal care and family planning services.

Dorayi further emphasized that climate-informed programming is crucial to safeguard women’s health during crises. She called on governments, civil society, and the private sector to prioritize women in climate response strategies by embedding health into climate policies and scaling up early warning systems.

Also speaking at the event, Mashishi Mokgadi of Organon, a global women’s health pharmaceutical company, stated that excluding women from climate-related health strategies undermines their effectiveness.

“If women and girls are not part of the climate conversation, how do we know what problems we are solving?” Mokgadi asked, urging the use of simplified, community-relevant language to ensure that even grassroots women are active participants in climate action.

She advocated for accessible policy implementation that ensures women are not just represented, but actively involved in shaping climate-health interventions.

Dr. Edwin Edeh, WHO Nigeria’s Coordinator for Public Health and Environment, said that health outcomes provide the most visible evidence of climate change’s impact

Read Also: How climate change ignites wildfires

“Whether it’s in Lagos or Malawi, the impact of climate change shows up at the health facility,” he noted.

Edeh revealed that a nationwide assessment by WHO and Nigeria’s Ministry of Health found that 21% of the national disease burden is linked to climate change—equivalent to one in five deaths in the coming years, many of which are preventable with effective interventions.

He said Nigeria is already piloting solar-powered health centres, reducing both operational costs and greenhouse gas emissions, and has launched training programs for a climate-smart health workforce.

“Climate resilience must be built with the people, not just for them,” Edeh stressed, urging investment in community engagement, data generation, and innovation.

Dr. Morires Atiko, CEO of the African Business Coalition for Health, urged the private sector to go beyond corporate social responsibility and integrate climate and health financing into core business operations.

“Climate activities are buried in social reporting and disconnected from health. This must change,” Atiko said.

She called for measurable climate action in business reporting, including tracking carbon footprints, adopting eco-friendly logistics, and investing in sustainable health infrastructure.

Atiko also emphasized the importance of multi-sector collaboration, involving innovation hubs, policymakers, and financial institutions in co-creating lasting solutions.

Our online activities in the current digital era greatly increase carbon emissions and degrade the environment. Every click and download leaves an ecological trace, whether it’s for cloud storage or video streaming. However, we can reduce our digital carbon footprint and help create a more sustainable future by making a few small but deliberate changes. We’ll look at eight useful tactics in this post to assist you in lessening your online environmental effect.

Recognizing Your Digital Carbon Footprint

Your internet usage, data storage, and device manufacture all have an influence on the environment. This is known as your “digital carbon footprint.” It includes the amount of energy used, the production of electronic trash, and the greenhouse gas emissions brought on by digital infrastructure and operations.

Here are eight practical strategies to reduce digital carbon footprint

1. Adjust the Device’s Settings

To cut down on energy usage, start by adjusting the settings on your gadgets. When your gadgets are not in use, turn on power-saving modes, change the brightness of the screen, and shorten the sleep or standby periods to save energy. Additionally, think about utilizing appliances and gadgets that are recognized energy-efficient by organizations like ENERGY STAR.

2. Simplify correspondence via email

Even though emails seem innocuous at first, the energy needed to send, store, and process digital messages builds up over time. By deleting pointless emails, unsubscribing from spam or promotional emails, and sending smaller file attachments, you can lessen the carbon footprint of your communications. In order to lower carbon emissions as a group, encourage contacts and coworkers to implement email best practices.

3. Adopt Cloud Computing

A more energy-efficient option to conventional on-premises data processing and storage is provided by cloud computing. Reduce the requirement for physical servers and hardware infrastructure by centralizing your digital files and documents on the cloud. Select trustworthy cloud service providers who run their businesses using carbon neutrality and renewable energy.

Read Also: How climate change ignites wildfires

4. Engage in Mindful Broadcasting

You can increase your digital carbon footprint by streaming music, films, and other digital content, which uses a lot of energy and bandwidth. Limit the amount of time you spend streaming, save content for offline viewing, and choose lower resolution settings when you’re streaming. Think about endorsing platforms that put an emphasis on renewable energy sources and energy-efficient streaming technologies.

5. Increase Device Life

Carbon emissions and electronic waste are caused by the manufacture and disposal of electronic equipment. Invest in robust, repairable items, carry out routine maintenance, and install software updates to extend the life of your gadgets. When it’s time for an upgrade, think about properly recycling or donating your outdated electronics to reduce your influence on the environment.

6. Use Less Internet Data

Every online activity uses data and energy, from social media conversations to web browsing. Optimize your online browser’s settings, turn off auto-play video, and use browser extensions to block trackers and advertisements to cut down on the amount of data you need for the internet. To save energy and bandwidth, use versions of websites and apps that are simple or text-only.

7. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint on the Internet

In order to mitigate the environmental impact of your online actions, you can offset your digital carbon footprint by contributing to renewable energy projects or carbon offset efforts. You may quantify and offset your carbon footprint with monetary contributions thanks to the many organizations that offer carbon offset programs specifically designed for digital emissions.

8. Educate and Speak Up

Finally, spread awareness among others and yourself on how digital technology affects the environment and how crucial it is to lessen our digital carbon footprint. To spread awareness and encourage group action, share resources, best practices, and information with friends, family, coworkers, and online communities. Encourage the adoption of laws and programs that advance sustainability, energy efficiency, and the use of renewable energy in the digital industry.

In summary

A crucial first step in creating a more environmentally friendly and sustainable digital future is lowering your digital carbon footprint. You can lessen the influence you have on the environment and support international efforts to address climate change by putting these doable tactics into practice and developing thoughtful digital habits. Keep in mind that every little action matters, and that by working together, we can significantly impact the preservation of our world for coming generations.

Devastating wildfires have increased alarmingly in recent years, leaving a trail of burnt land and destroyed communities in their wake.

Wildfires have always been a part of the natural cycle, but recently, they have been more frequent and intense than ever before, raising the important question, “What’s fueling this inferno?” The complex relationship between wildfires and climate change holds the key to the solution. We’ll explore the ways by which climate change feeds the flames of these catastrophic occurrences in this extensive guide.

Knowing the Basics:

It’s important to understand the basics of wildfires before exploring the role of climate change. These are usually set off by a confluence of elements, such as dry weather, high temps, and igniting sources like lightning or human action. Wildfires are fueled by vegetation, wind, and topography, and they spread quickly once they start. But climate change is a powerful catalyst that exacerbates these circumstances and raises the risk of wildfires.

The Impact of Temperature Increases:

The continuous increase in global temperatures is one of the most obvious effects of climate change. The rising mercury makes the atmosphere more favorable for wildfires to spread. Higher temperatures cause more evaporation, which deters moisture from the soil and plants. As a result, landscapes are more prone to catching fire; little sparks have the power to start enormous fires.

Modified Precipitation Patterns:

Another factor contributing to the wildfire equation is the way that climate change is altering precipitation patterns. Prolonged droughts interspersed with infrequent, intense rainstorm events have become the new normal in many areas. These unpredictable precipitation patterns affect the environment in two ways: first, they dry up the flora, making it more flammable. Second, prolonged periods of heavy rain can hasten the growth of vegetation, which would provide an abundance of fuel for future flames. The unpredictable mix of floods and droughts creates the conditions for disastrous fire seasons.

Winds of Change:

The direction and pace of a wildfire’s spread are greatly influenced by the wind. Wildfire danger is increasing due to changes in wind patterns brought about by climate change. The rise of extreme wind events, like the Santa Ana winds in California and the Foehn winds in Europe, is one noteworthy development. These strong gusts not only exacerbate the flames but also help wildfires spread quickly, making containment operations very difficult.

The Wildfire and Climate Change Feedback Loop:

The occurrence of feedback loops, in which wildfires aggravate climate change, which in turn causes additional wildfires, is perhaps the most worrisome part of the climate-wildfire relationship. Massive volumes of carbon dioxide are released into the sky when forests burn, which intensifies global warming and the greenhouse effect.

Furthermore, the loss of vegetation increases the carbon imbalance by lowering the Earth’s ability to sequester carbon. This destructive cycle feeds the cycle of climate change, producing a vicious cycle that is self-reinforcing and has catastrophic effects on both communities and ecosystems.

Read Also: Environmental, economic benefits of tree planting

Effects on biodiversity and ecosystems:

The effects of wildfires brought on by climate change go far beyond scorched terrain and hazy skies. These infernos destroy habitats and threaten biodiversity, wreaking havoc on ecosystems. Long-term or intense wildfires have the potential to drive species that have acclimated to fire-dependent habitats beyond their limits of adaptation. Furthermore, a decline in biodiversity may have a domino effect that upsets natural processes and topples entire ecosystems.

Human Costs and Community Resilience:

Wildfires have a severe negative impact on human communities both directly and indirectly, in addition to wreaking havoc on the environment. These calamities leave a wake of wrecked houses, lost lives, and disrupted livelihoods. Living under continual fear of wildfires has a significant psychological cost that makes impacted populations more stressed, anxious, and traumatized. On the other hand, communities may increase resilience by taking preventative actions including early warning systems, construction that is fire-resistant, and land-use planning.

Strategies for Mitigation and Adaptation:

Handling the wildfire crisis calls for a multimodal strategy that incorporates both techniques for mitigation and adaptation. The primary goal of mitigation measures is to slow down the acceleration of climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. This means establishing sustainable land management techniques, switching to renewable energy sources, and promoting global cooperation. In terms of adaptation, spending on measures like planned burns, fuel reduction, and community outreach is crucial for increasing resilience and lessening the effects of wildfires.

In summary, climate change is a significant threat in the fight against wildfires. The long-lasting droughts, intense heat waves, and unpredictable weather patterns that contribute to these infernos are clearly signs of their influence. At the municipal, national, and international levels, coordinated effort is required to address this existential threat. We can reduce the likelihood of wildfires and protect the environment for coming generations by tackling the underlying causes of climate change and putting adaptive measures in place.

The world has benefited greatly from economic expansion and technological advancements during the industrial era. But at a high cost, as industrial pollution is now recognized as a serious threat to human health as well as the environment, we’ll examine the complex relationship between industrial pollution and climate change in this extensive guide, as well as its far-reaching implications on a worldwide scale.

The Intersection between Climate Change and Industrial Pollution:

Large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs) are released into the environment by industrial processes, including waste management, transportation, energy production, and manufacturing.

The most common of these is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is produced when fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas are burned. As if acting as a blanket, these emissions trap heat in the atmosphere of the Earth, causing global warming, which is the main cause of climate change.

Similarities between Industrial Pollution and Climate Change:

The management of waste, transportation, energy production, and manufacturing are among the industrial operations that release large volumes of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the environment. Carbon dioxide (CO2), which is created when fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas are consumed, is the most prevalent of these. These emissions, which have the effect of covering the Earth like a blanket, trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming, the primary driver of climate change.

Disruption of the Carbon Cycle:

Industrial pollution disturbs the carbon cycle, a vital mechanism that controls the Earth’s climate. Historically, the atmosphere’s delicate carbon dioxide balance was preserved by natural activities like photosynthesis and respiration. But because of human activity, the balance has been shifted, producing excess CO2 quicker than it can be absorbed by natural sinks like forests and oceans. Rising sea levels, more frequent and severe weather events, and changed precipitation patterns are all consequences of this imbalance, which quickens the pace of climate change.

Read Also: How climate change ignites wildfires

Threat to Biodiversity:

Numerous species and ecosystems are in jeopardy due to industrial pollution, which is a serious threat to world biodiversity. The devastation of natural habitats, contamination of air and water, and temperature and precipitation variations brought on by climate change upset the delicate ecological balance and drive some species towards extinction. The numerous services that coral reefs, forests, wetlands, and other vital ecosystems offer—from food security to carbon sequestration—are put in jeopardy by the effects of industrial pollution.

Water Scarcity and Contamination:

Industrial pollution taints not just the air we breathe but also the water we need to survive. Pollutants include heavy metals, chemicals, and poisons are carried by runoff from industrial sites into rivers, lakes, and groundwater reserves, endangering aquatic life as well as human health. Furthermore, by changing precipitation patterns and increasing the frequency of droughts and floods, climate change makes already scarce water resources even more problematic.

Impacts on Society and Economy:

The unequal distribution of the consequences of industrial pollution and climate change exacerbates social and economic inequality. Climate-related disasters and environmental degradation mostly affect vulnerable populations, such as marginalized groups, indigenous peoples, and low-income communities. Furthermore, the financial consequences of doing nothing exceed the sums of money needed to make the switch to greener, more sustainable sectors. Societies may generate employment, encourage innovation, and strengthen their ability to withstand the effects of climate change by adopting renewable energy, enforcing pollution control laws, and supporting green technologies.

Mitigation and Adaptation methods:

Combining mitigation and adaptation methods calls for a comprehensive approach to address the twin concerns of industrial pollution and climate change. The goal of mitigation initiatives is to lower greenhouse gas emissions by putting in place carbon pricing mechanisms, increasing energy efficiency, and switching to renewable energy sources. Furthermore, reforestation, wetland restoration, and sustainable land management are examples of nature-based solutions that can improve carbon sequestration and climate change resilience.

In summary, industrial pollution and climate change are two sides of the same coin—interrelated issues that require immediate attention. We can create the conditions for a more resilient and sustainable future by recognizing the connection between these occurrences and taking proactive steps to lessen their effects. To address these existential challenges and protect the world for future generations, all individuals, corporations, policymakers, and communities have a part to play.