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LINCGREEN Prospects

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Climate Change: A Scam or A Crisis? - The Illusion of Conspiracy

Over the years, I have encountered arguments from conspiracy theorists and people with strong opinions about how the world operates. Some believe that the Ebola virus did not exist and was a poison released to reduce human population. Others argue there is a Western agenda to eradicate Africans, keeping the continent impoverished and starving. Many ideas are propagated, and when I talk to these people (without arguing), I notice how they confidently weave events, statements, and symbols to support their beliefs.

Recently, we hired an accountant at Lincgreen, and with limited knowledge of NGO operations, she excitedly began sharing some of our work. Late one night, she messaged me, sharing a response from a friend who warned her to stay away from NGOs, claiming they were designed by the West to harm Africa. As funny as it sounded, I could sense genuine concern in his tone; he truly believed what he was saying. This was a young man under 25, and I wondered how such beliefs were instilled in him.

Does he realize that the sanity left in the Niger Delta and Nigeria is largely due to the work of NGOs, CSOs, journalists, advocates, and activists? Does he know that harmful practices in Nigeria, like the killing of twins (abolished in 1850 by Mary Slessor) and other traditions, were halted through the work of NGOs, activists, and advocates? Has he been to communities to hear testimonies of lives saved by NGOs? Has he ever spoken to someone who survived war or injustice, hearing how many lives were saved by the actions of NGOs, CSOs, INGOs, journalists, and activists?



LINCGREEN WITH MOSOP ACCESSING HYPREP
LINCGREEN WITH MOSOP ACCESSING HYPREP

Recently, a law was passed in Rivers State recognizing women's rights to inherit property, a significant shift from decades of practices that denied them these rights and left them vulnerable after losing a spouse. I wonder if this person has seen the faces of suffering children or helped rescue abandoned babies who survived because of NGOs and motherless baby homes, such as Save A Life Foundation, which cater to orphans and abandoned children. Does he know how much death rates from polio, malaria, and cholera have decreased due to NGO interventions, which forced governments and the international community to provide immunization, clean water, and medicine?

Yes, there are dishonest NGOs and advocates, but that does not mean there are no real issues that require intervention. The world has seen doctors who turned out to be serial killers (e.g., Dr. Harold Shipman in the UK). So by that logic, does it mean all doctors are bad and hospitals should be avoided?

Humans are flawed, and some NGOs may have ulterior motives. I believe certain corporations and governments have interests in Africa that exploit the guise of "help" and "intervention." We saw this in the Niger Delta with oil exploration, particularly in Shell's impact on the Ogoni struggle. But while these corporations exploited our weaknesses, the indigenous people, and corrupt officials enabled this due to greed and disunity. "When the wicked rule, the people suffer." It is a combination of evils from both ends, making the work of many NGOs invaluable.

My team and I have risked our lives countless times to tell the stories of vulnerable communities, understanding their challenges. We have seen communities standing up for themselves because of our advocacy. We see ourselves as catalysts, mentors, and initiators, not saviors. It’s a participatory transformative intervention, not an immediate solution to all problems.


A COMMUNITY IN BAYELSA AT THE BRINK OF EXTICTION DUE TO FLOODING
A COMMUNITY IN BAYELSA AT THE BRINK OF EXTICTION DUE TO FLOODING

Conspiracy theorists often have a narrow view of life, lacking exposure to these realities, and rarely engage with communities or listen to objective stories. If they question statistics as "forged" by people supposedly trying to kill Africans, why not conduct their own research?

I watch YouTube channels about alien sightings because it's entertaining. As a child, I believed such things and would stargaze, trying to spot aliens. But after visiting communities and witnessing human suffering, I resolved to focus on known issues rather than speculating about the unknown. The same applied when we began Lincgreen. I was determined to understand climate change, having witnessed the 2022 Bayelsa flood. Passionate, I completed several courses, then went into communities to talk to elders and farmers about changing weather patterns, which they confirmed had grown unpredictable and increasingly frequent.

Some argue the impact differs across regions, comparing Lagos to smaller, more vulnerable communities. Every place can experience flooding, but education, money, and innovation build resilience. It’s similar to how malaria could devastate a community, yet someone with access to resources can treat it with one drug. The difference is in the capacity to adapt.

The SDGs aim to bridge this gap between urban and rural areas. When conspiracy theorists dismiss advocates’ work based on incomplete information, it reveals how limited their perspective is. My concern is how these ideas can spread and potentially deter promising advocates.

Personally, I am skeptical about the numerous climate conferences. I believe we have too many meetings and not enough action. While I value conferences like the Paris Agreement for setting deadlines, I am concerned about the carbon footprint of these gatherings. We could be more efficient with smaller, relevant meetings that connect globally on one platform, focused on vulnerable people, scientific breakthroughs, progress, and facts rather than motivational speeches.

These conferences are not platforms for career building; they are opportunities to represent communities and advocate for change. I once met a woman in Bayelsa who lost her three-year-old son to a flood. Her tearful account, showing me photos, stays with me. When I advocate, I do so remembering the images I saw that day, these deaths should not be in vain; more people should not have to die.

This is not about stirring up emotions; the science behind climate change is even more alarming. A 1% temperature increase could lead to unimaginable loss of life. Some countries and communities are already experiencing it, but you cannot understand until you’ve seen and heard from the victims.

So, to the conspiracy theorists, I know you may think you sound clever and it is understandable. When I was seven, my aunt convinced me that swallowing an orange seed would make an orange tree grow on my head. I held onto that belief for years. Stories and ideas don’t always equate to truth. If you haven’t seen, I invite you to see. Join us on a field trip or visit communities with an open mind. None of us are exceptionally smart; some of us are simply more exposed to these realities. This is not about what we heard, it is what we have seen.

A teacher once said, "You can be either be right or successful; you can’t be both." What he meant was that you can't win arguments and make an impact at the same time; you have to choose one. Either be a critic who does nothing or get involved in creating change.

This is the heart of Lincgreen Climate Change Initiative. We don’t believe we can change the world alone, but we are committed to playing our part, unlearning, relearning, and collaborating. If every organization directs its funding to the right sources, remains humble, and learns from people on the ground, we’ll inch closer to achieving sustainable development goals.

  • Sven Nilson

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    Yes; " but we are committed to playing our part" đź’š

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    Re-watch all our COP29 broadcasts

    We need to stop methane and #BuyMoreTime