Investing in Home Protection and Disaster Readiness.

Climate change is not a distant problem. It’s already causing havoc in Nigeria, with devastating floods, scorching heat waves, and raging wildfires. People must prepare for these impacts by investing in their properties and working with the government.

To protect homes, residents in Nigeria can take proactive measures like installing rain gutters to prevent flooding, using air conditioners to cope with extreme heat, and having metal roofs to guard against wildfires.

As the frequency of natural disasters rises, it is critical to have insurance against them. This will safeguard homes from exorbitant insurance prices and the possibility of being uninsurable.

Homeowners should also prepare for rising utility bills, such as electricity expenses due to drought and heat risks. Homeowners/Landlords rates may also rise to cover maintenance and protection of some areas.

The government’s role is crucial in dealing with climate change. In Nigeria, communities need to be resilient together. Organizations like FAME Foundation under The Green Ball Project analyze climate resiliency and provide valuable information on disaster preparedness.

Residents must advocate for their communities’ preparedness, as individual efforts won’t be enough. Outdated infrastructure can still lead to flooding despite having rain gutters, and a faulty electrical grid can make air conditioning ineffective during heat waves in places like Borno, Kano, and Jigawa. Well-funded fire departments with advanced firefighting technology are essential in wildfire-prone areas.

Investing in climate adaptation initiatives is critical. This will attract homebuyers, preserving property values for existing homeowners. Research shows that buyers prefer homes with lower climate risk, avoiding high-risk areas prone to flooding.

Everyone needs to get ready for climate change. Communities, state, and local governments in Nigeria should prioritize comprehensive climate resilience strategies. Funding fully equipped fire departments, improving sewer systems and ensuring resilient electrical grids and flood management are vital, even though these investments come at a high cost.

Kemisola works as Project Officer on Climate Action at FAME Foundation. She writes from Abuja.
Kemisola@famefoundationwg.org