Africa is particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change despite being responsible for a relatively small portion of global greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change could reduce agricultural yields by up to 50 per cent by 2050, endangering food security and livelihoods. As water scarcity intensifies, conflicts over water resources and difficulties in providing clean drinking water and sanitation will increase. Meanwhile, land degradation due to climate change and unsustainable land use practices affects food production and rising poverty.
The Capacity Accelerator Network (CAN) initiative empowers data science professionals in Africa to tackle climate and health challenges. This month's interview is with Abubakar Isa-Abubakar, an alumnus of the CAN Data Science Fellowship based in Nigeria.
How did you learn about this program, and what motivated you to get involved?
I first learned about the CAN fellowship through a friend, Yazid S. Mika'il, who was then a Data Values Advocate for the Global Partnership. Recognizing my experience as a data scientist working with both health and geospatial data, as well as my work with NGOs and government institutions, he suggested that I would be an excellent fit for this role. Following his suggestion I realized that this program aligned perfectly with my career goals of using data science for social good. It also presented a unique opportunity to collaborate with professionals and experts on global-scale projects, applying my knowledge and experience to solve complex climate and health-related problems.
Before joining the fellowship, I worked as a health data scientist. I understood that climate change directly or indirectly affects many health issues. For instance, while volunteering at the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, I realized the critical importance of ensuring the availability of essential drugs, such as malaria medications, in all health facilities across the State. Numerous malaria interventions were being implemented to combat the disease. I even served as a store manager for the 2022 malaria campaign in Kaduna State, facilitating the distribution of mosquito nets.
Unclean environments and stagnant water, which provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes, can exacerbate malaria outbreaks. These stagnant waters are often the result of irregular rainfall patterns, a consequence of climate change. Understanding this chain effect motivated me to explore how data could address the root causes of health issues by tackling climate-related problems.
The CAN fellowship provided the opportunity to leverage data science skills to address the interconnected challenges of climate change and health. This program was the perfect avenue to advance my career while making a meaningful difference in tackling these issues at their source.
How have the skills and knowledge you gained supported your work?
Participating in the fellowship has profoundly influenced my approach to data science and its applications to climate and health issues. A significant part of the knowledge I have gained has come from my participation in the three GEO-LDN (Group on Earth-Observations Land Degradation Neutrality) training workshops in Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana. These workshops were pivotal to supporting my country team in achieving land degradation neutrality through analytical tools such as Google Earth Engine and enhanced understanding of and use of QGIS for assessing land degradation, along with other tools.
I also gained skills through peer interaction with other fellows and experts during and after the workshops. Having a network of experts from relevant sectors is vital to successfully implementing my duties as a CAN Fellow. I collaborated with geospatial experts from the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) Kenya, the GEO-LDN Working Group, and country experts from the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).
What have you achieved since being part of the program?
1) Developing the Nigeria Decision Support System app. Creating a user-friendly tool, with the collaboration of the GEO-LDN experts, to monitor land degradation has been a significant achievement. This app supports data-driven decisions and policymaking, enhancing the experts' ability to address environmental challenges effectively. Other country teams can seamlessly adopt this tool for their use cases.
2) Successfully integrating and playing my role as a data scientist in the GEO-LDN Nigeria intersectoral team, supporting my project management skills and technical expertise in handling data.
3) Conducting community engagement and assessments in the Amba community and actively engaging with the local land experts through data collection to ensure our project addresses specific challenges and needs, leading to more substantial community support and better outcomes.
4) Capacity building and training skills. The program has provided me with the platform and support to organize capacity-building workshops for government actors and local stakeholders to adopt the toolbox and sustainable land management practices.
5) Global recognition. The project has gained recognition on global platforms through the Global Partnership and GEO-LDN, highlighting our innovative approach to tackling land degradation and building community resilience through data-driven solutions. This recognition will open new opportunities for collaboration and support, furthering our impact.
What inspires you in your work, and what change do you hope to see?
My inspiration comes from the impact data science and analytics can have on addressing critical issues like climate change and land degradation. Knowing my work can contribute to sustainable development and improve vulnerable communities' livelihoods drives me daily! That is, as a matter of fact, using data for social good!
Additionally, seeing the direct benefits of our projects in the community we serve, such as increased awareness and better land management practices, fuels my passion for this work.
Through my work, I hope to see a significant reduction in land degradation and improved resilience of communities to climate change. I aim to foster continued collaboration among relevant organizations, governments, and local communities to address environmental challenges collectively, share best practices, and scale successful interventions. Specifically, I hope to see:
- Sustainable land management: My team and I hope to support the restoration of degraded lands, enhanced soil health, and increased agricultural productivity, which would improve food security in affected communities.
- Empowered stakeholders: We can achieve long-term environmental and economic benefits through capacity building and knowledge sharing.
- Data-driven decisions and policies: I aim to provide policymakers and stakeholders with accurate data to support policymaking by developing tools like the Nigeria Decision Support System app.
Ultimately, I want my work to help communities be better equipped to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change, leading to more resilient and sustainable livelihoods.
Read more about the CAN program, who the fellows are, and their inspiring careers here.
