CLIMATE ACTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS | NATURE HIKE PROJECT 2020.

 

CLIMATE ACTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS: PMI NIGERIA NATURE HIKE PROJECT 2020.

_{PMI, discussing 6 global business trends driving The Project Economy and what they meant for project leaders, Insight 2: of the PM signposts Report for the year 2020, ranked Climate change as one of the biggest existential threats to civilization. However, the pivotal role of project professionals in mitigating this occurrence is brought into play.} 

_{Coupling this with the corroboration of Insight one of the same report, recognizing Africa and most of the developing world, as home to a new generation of talent, ready to tackle a new generation of projects, the CLIMATE AWARENESS, NATURE HIKE PROJECT was born.} 

_{The high-level scope of initiative was to start off a campaign of Climate Awareness and Mitigation Strategies, among young project professionals in Nigeria. This would be achieved by engaging in a nature hike/rock climbing tour, with tree planting activities, group dynamics, education, and physical exercise.}

_{The sunny Saturday morning, of March the 14th, 2020, saw a Climate Awareness and Action field trip happen successfully in Abuja. It was a thrilling and mind-expanding event hosted by the PMI Nigeria Chapter.}

_{We went a step further and took head-on, the UN SDG 13, on Climate Action, by paying a quota to improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.}

_{The question is; What can professionals do, to integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning?} 

_{We, at PMI, understand that we have a huge role to play as project, program, and portfolio managers in various organizations, as well as the government, to ensure that this goal is reached.}

_{OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER VOLUNTEERS} 

_{1. Conquer the “Twin Peaks” (a 60-degree elevation through a 30 Minutes ascent /descent time) in the heart of the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja.} 

_{2. Get a proper view of the city of the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja from an elevated perspective, to enable contemplation for the impact of human activity on our environment.}

_{3. Learn and discuss ways to offset carbon emissions, and enhance policies that reduce our carbon footprints}

_{4. Build the Team Spirit while fostering Love for the Planet amongst members.}

_{5. Educate and task members on Tree Planting exercise.}

_{6. Encourage healthy outdoor activity and fitness amongst members.}

_{7. Foster collaboration amongst Environmentalists and other organizations within the Climate Action atmosphere.}

_{These objectives were reached in furtherance of the milestones set by the chapter when we started a recycling exercise in Lagos, which saw the clean up of the environment while gathering plastics and other recyclables while informing the general public on the importance of recycling.} 

_{A couple of days before the Nature Hike, stakeholders at the Magic Land FCT property were engaged and made aware that PMI volunteers would be hiking on the property to accomplish a noble task. The collaboration committee was set up and an effective communication channel was established.}

_{Prior to the day's activity, some volunteers took the steep hills, head-on, on surveillance of the trail we were to take to the summit, to ensure that this feat would be achievable by a group of people who could include first-timers at rock climbing. This was a risk check. The area and presumed activity were cleared as medium-level risks, by the planning committee.}

_{Project Plans and Project Management documents were being drafted and reviewed and brainstorming was going on. Business Case, Project Charter, Project Scope Document, Activity List, Activity Duration, Risk Assessment alongside a host of other documents.}

_{The main day arrived. We had a turn out of approximately 60 participants, who took the bold step, against all odds, to make it, to the top of the mountain, in the heart of the city.}

_{We were able to carry out most of the activities on a prepared activity list while paying obeisance to schedule.} 

_{We arrived at the top of the Hill at about 7:51 AM and then at about 8:00 AM we engaged in team building activities and Group Dynamics.} 

_{The exhilarating yet exciting climb up the hill had given participants enough time to interact. There were lots of excited screams and shouts. Oohs and squeals of excitement, as we grappled on, feet and hands alike, digging in the side of the rock for grip and footing.} 

_{Participants were thrilled as they made remarks and talked about the breathtaking views as they tried to catch their breath from the medium level intensity climb, about 400 meters up into the clouds.}

_{Finally, the climax! We arrived at the top of the hill. Some minutes to catch our breath and then many more minutes to take in the beauty of the surrounding environment below. We could see the Abuja national stadium beneath us, looking like it was constructed by pieces of lego bricks. We could see many other city monuments also, such as the city gate and the sports velodrome.} 

_{The impact of smog on the city could be gleaned as we noticed the thick fogs, created by emission from cars and other heat and carbon-emitting facilities dankly hanging in the air.} 

_{This made us reflect, as we discussed how global emissions had reduced at a record rate due to the lockdown in China ( as of March 14th, a lockdown had not been imposed on Nigeria as we hadn’t recorded a single case of COVID-19 by then).}

_{It was a moving and memorable experience as we held hands and sang “Earth Songs”. These group dynamics was going to prove to be very symbolic for this was the last time there would be an in-person physical gathering of PMI professional gathering for months.}

_{At the summit, we had an environmental engineer, Anna, throw more light on Climate Change and Climate action we could take in our locality. We had interactive discussion sessions on climate change policies in Nigeria and Africa deliberately emphasizing how we as individuals could alleviate the scourge of Global Warming.} 

_{We demonstrated a Tree Planting exercise and were educated on how to go about this by an agronomist. Each volunteer was tasked and pledged to plant a tree or more and to send in pictures of results to our virtual group after a week.}

_{This nature hike has proven to be an innovative way to drive an enthusiasm of love for our dear planet amongst young people. This is a model that can and will be replicated across Africa and indeed the world as collaborations are being fostered with various other international organizations with a common interest of a sustainable green Earth.}

_{Imagine young professionals from all over the world, holding hands and singing “Heal the World” in unison. We did this and acted at the local level. Our aspiration is global impact.} 

_{In conclusion, the tedious but fun hike is proof to all humans, that with determination and teamwork, it is possible to deliver positive outcomes. We must drive change and growth in our community. The mission is effective collaboration with all tribes and creeds. The vision is to create an environment that will be safe for humanity for generations to come.} 

_{-Stanley Oranika PMP is the Project Lead for the Abuja Outreach, PMI Nigeria Chapter}