Climate Opportunity Podcast

In the second episode of our mini-series, Roots of Resilience, "Agroforestry and Intercropping," we delve into the captivating world of agroforestry and intercropping.

These age-old techniques demonstrate the intricate harmony between African farming practices and nature's wisdom.

Witness the symbiotic relationship between trees and crops in agroforestry, where shade, protection, and enriched soil intertwine. Explore the art of intercropping, as diverse crops thrive together, optimizing yield and sustainability.

Join us in unveiling the enduring secrets of African agricultural prowess, where ancient techniques continue to inspire modern sustainable farming practices.

"Roots of Resilience" is a captivating mini-series that transports you through time to ancient Africa, unveiling the extraordinary climate wisdom that has shaped sustainable practices for generations.

In our first episode, "Terracing and Water Harvesting," we explore the techniques used by African communities to thrive in the face of ever-changing weather patterns.

Delve into the minds of ancient African farmers who, armed with profound knowledge of their environment, designed terraced fields to conserve vital soil moisture and combat erosion. Witness how they harnessed the forces of nature through traditional water harvesting methods, ensuring a reliable water supply for their crops during challenging dry spells.

"Roots of Resilience #1 - Terracing and Water Harvesting" takes you on an inspiring journey back in time, where the harmony between humans and nature offers invaluable lessons in building resilience. Join us as we discover the roots of African ingenuity and uncover timeless secrets that continue to shape sustainable farming practices worldwide.

Favour Oluma is an entrepreneur with multiple talents and an unlimited passion for creativity. She is the Founder of Retyredglam where she creates adorable, quality, flashy, affordable, and comfortable interiors out of tyres for use in homes, hotels, corporate offices, and other outdoor infrastructures.

She desires to turn all waste around her into wealth and help create thousands of jobs in Nigeria in this process. This journey started with her passion for turning all tyres in Nigeria into valuable products for the benefit of mankind

Abdulmalik Badamasi is a passionate advocate for high-efficiency strategic solutions to address African challenges. He is the CEO of Powerbox Energy Systems Ltd, a renewable energy company dedicated to developing affordable zero-emission, smart off-grid solar energy systems for homes, businesses, and public facilities across sub-Saharan Africa. With a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Abdulmalik possesses a strong educational foundation that complements his drive for change.

Throughout his career, Abdulmalik has received numerous honors and awards recognizing his innovative spirit and commitment to clean energy. In November 2022, he was among the final eight awardees of the prestigious NCIC EIP 2022 - Cohort III Award, issued by the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre. He achieved third place in the Global Climate and Energy Competition, hosted by Mhub Chicago in March 2022. Abdulmalik's company, Powerbox Energy Systems, was also named Africa's Most Innovative Clean Energy Company by Lions Head Global Partners UK and AfriTech in February 2022. In addition to these accolades, Abdulmalik is a proud recipient of the TEF Entrepreneurship Award and Fellow, awarded by the Tony Elumelu Foundation in September 2019.

Morountodun Obaigbo is a design engineer who focuses on building and designing structures for future cities.

She has 4 years of entrepreneurship experience as the founder of Redcity properties. Redcity properties designs and constructs smart modular and semi-modular structures.

She works part-time online with 7BC, a venture capital firm based in Austin, Texas.

Todun obtained a Metal design degree with a minor in graphics communications from the University of Benin. She earned certifications in Investment and Financial analysis in 2020 and 2022.

Ummi Yacin is a Climate Change Analyst and Environmental Specialist from Djibouti.

She works at the Ministry of Health as an Environmental Specialist and owns an NGO that empowers women and young girls to build their resilience in climate change.

She earned her degrees from the University of Science and Technology in Malaysia.

Ummi was recognized as a Mandela Washington Fellow and was hosted by the University of Nebraska - Lincoln in 2022.

Babajide Oluwase is a chartered sustainability professional and the Founder of Ecotutu, a cleantech company enabling businesses in the agriculture and health value chain to have access to affordable solar-powered cold storage solutions end-to-end. Since 2014, he has acquired extensive and relevant experience in creating environmental management solutions and has a proven track record of consistently establishing cost-saving initiatives. He is an ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System) Lead Auditor with a B.Tech. (Hons) in Urban and Regional Planning from the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria; a mini-MBA from Lagos Business School; and an alumnus of the Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa, USA.

Babajide has extensive experience managing projects and driving compliance for corporate organizations and government MDAs. In 2016, he authored the ‘Young Climate Heroes’ book that have helped 7000+ students understand the basics of climate change and sustainability using story, and co-designed a zero-waste integration program reaching 12000+ students in secondary schools across Nigeria.

Babajide is a recipient of multiple awards and fellowship including the Sustainable Solutions Africa 30 under 30 Fellow, Earth Charter Young Leader, TEF/GIZ Fellow, George Ayittey Platinum Prize Winner, LEAP Africa SIP Fellow, Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum, Yunus and Youth Fellow, Orange Corners Innovation Fund Winner, NutriPitch Grand Prize Winner, Africa Climate-KIC Innovator, DAAD Scholar and a Mandela Washington Fellow amongst others. He currently advises the European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS on Green and Digital Economy.

Natalie Beinisch is Executive Director of Circular Economy Innovation Partnership in Lagos, which focuses on research, advocacy and programming to promote Circular Economy business and investment in Nigeria. Before moving to Lagos, she set up the Engagement Programme for Aegon Asset Management’s Responsible Investment team in the Netherlands and headed the Academic Network at the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment in London. Prior to her work in sustainable finance, Natalie began her career at Duke Corporate Education, the world’s leading bespoke provider of executive education, where she designed, sourced faculty and delivered customized leadership programmes to Ericsson, AstraZeneca, HSBC and Shell among others. She has also held research and lecture positions at Lee Kuan Yew School at the University of Singapore and the Politics, Philosophy, Law and Economics programme at the University of Amsterdam. Natalie holds a PhD and an MSc from the London School of Economics and a BA from McGill University in Canada.

Links: www.circularlagos.com 

A community development and disaster risk management enthusiast, Mayokun Iyaomolere is an environmentalist with 6 years experience in promoting climate friendly solutions and actions.

Between 2019 to 2021, Mayokun consulted for the United Nations Development Programme and Federal Ministry of Environment in Nigeria, helping to research climate change impacts and produce an environmental implementation action plan for the country which was presented at the UN Secretary General Climate Summit in Abuja, Nigeria.

He is the Founder and Executive Director of Plogging Nigeria Club, an organisation dedicated to promoting a culture of responsible waste handling and physical fitness. Through the club, he has built a community of over 1,300 young Nigerians who encourage sustainable interaction with the environment through proper waste management practices.

He has bagged an MSc in Environmental Control and Management and is currently running a PhD in same discipline. He’s also one of the young persons trained and certified by former United States Vice President Al Gore as a Climate Reality Leader. Through an initiative called the Green Switch Academy, Mayokun has trained 1,113 people from 23 countries on the concepts of solid waste management, circular economy, global warming & climate change, and locally leading environmental action. He recently completed as part of the 2022 onsite cohort a Leadership in Civic Engagement course at Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, U. S. A. under the Mandela Washington Fellowship of the United States Department of States, and former President, Barrack Obama.

This episode provides the groundwork for the rationale behind this podcast, the concept of climate opportunity and what you can expect as the podcast unravels. Drawing from my ignite talk at the University of California Davis I spoke about how the hindsight of the west could be the foresight of Africa. In unpacking the concept of climate opportunity I spoke about how Africa's underdevelopment can become an asset and an advantage in pursuit of the sustainable development goals. I drew inference from Climate of Hope written by Mike Bloomberg and Carl Pope in my closing argument.

Read the transcript of my ignite talk HERE

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). YALI was created in 2010 and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2020. Established in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship has brought nearly 5,800 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished innovators and leaders in their communities and countries. Read More about the Mandela Washington Fellowship HERE