International Environmental Education Day 2025.

Comfort Apeh Francis is a dedicated environmentalist and environmental management and toxicology graduate from Benue State University, Nigeria. With over three years of experience in climate education, communications, and innovation, Comfort is committed to promoting environmental awareness, creating innovative solutions for sustainable development, combating climate misinformation, and advocating for climate justice.

As a co-founder and the Grants and Partnership Director of Decarbon Hub, Comfort helped launch a digital platform connecting companies aiming for net-zero transitions with decarbonization organizations. Through this platform, she facilitates collaboration and transparency in the global fight against climate change. She also secured a climate innovation grant from CMA CGM and Rivet, which has supported Decarbon Hub's legal foundation and research efforts. 

She has also been selected for the climate innovation challenge by the United Nations Climate Technology Centre in collaboration with Seedstar. She and her team progress to the incubation phase, where they will develop their solution, Greenbridge Africa, which aims to connect smallholder farmers practicing sustainable agriculture to the carbon market. Additionally, she is a climate justice activist for the Scientist Rebellion. 

Comfort is the founder of CAFL, a community that unites researchers, activists, and content creators to share knowledge and fight misinformation. She is also the host of “Climate Saturday,” a podcast where she invites climate experts to debunk misinformation and share insights on sustainable practices. Her passion for climate action and environmental protection drives her efforts to educate and empower others in the climate while creating innovative solutions to combat the impact of climate change.

What’s your idea of the environment, and how do clinical factors influence it? And what have you done so far to help the environment through the climatic sector you are focused on?

I studied Environmental Management and Toxicology as my first degree, and when I graduated, I didn't know much about the climate sector. It's expected that when you study Environmental Management and Toxicology, you will see a lot about climate change. Surprisingly, climate change wasn't a significant part of my curriculum. After graduating, I felt driven to impact, so I began learning and researching climate change. However, I was disappointed by the rampant misinformation in the media. This inspired me to take action, and I started Climate Saturday. The first season of Climate Saturday informed viewers about climate change. We debunked a lot of climate misconceptions and inspired people to take action while telling them how. 

On the second round of Climate Saturday, we wanted to go beyond debunking falsehoods. When stories about climate change are told, you usually hear about melting ice glaciers and other things that are often unrelatable to Africans. I decided to invite change actors to come and share their own climate stories about what is going on in their community and what they are doing to mitigate the effects of climate change. 

Many people who were passionate about the environment but lacked direction were inspired by the change actors we brought for Climate Saturday's second season. They shared their stories, journeys, getting started, and the solutions they implemented in their various communities.

I went further to work with a team to develop Carbon Hub, a solution to climate change that connects organizations focused on decarbonization projects and biodiversity restoration with willing funders. By acting as the middleman, we aimed to accelerate projects addressing the root cause of greenhouse gas emissions. This innovative approach earned us the CMA CGM Climate Innovative Challenge award.

While working on the Carbon Hub, I was selected for the United Nations Climate Technology Challenge. I worked with new team members to develop Greenbridge Africa, a platform connecting smallholder farmers to the carbon market. We aim to empower farmers, often earning less than $1 a day, to adopt sustainable practices and benefit from carbon finance projects. By aggregating farmers into cooperatives, we overcome the financial barriers to entry, enabling them to access funding and mitigate climate change.

We'll also utilize ICT sensors to monitor and verify carbon credits, ensuring transparency and integrity. We aim to improve farmers' livelihoods while promoting biodiversity, restoring the planet, and contributing to a more sustainable future.

What role does environmental education play in empowering young people, particularly the upcoming generation, to address climate change effectively?

 I'd say that without climate education, there's no climate action. That's why I believe that climate education is very important at every level, from secondary school to university, even in primary school, down to big organizations. 

Climate education is vital for everyone, particularly those in leadership positions, as it empowers them to develop informed policies and solutions to tackle climate change. Without a solid understanding of climate issues, leaders risk making uninformed decisions, hindering progress. For instance, if I lack background knowledge on climate change, I don't think I'll be able to develop creative solutions to tackle its effects and impacts.

Furthermore, it informs our daily choices, encouraging sustainable living. When educated, we make conscious decisions about consumption, waste management, and purchasing sustainable products. It's the foundation for driving behavioral change.

So, climate education shapes our behavior and every aspect of us.

What practical ways do you think individuals and communities in Nigeria can adapt to climate challenges, such as rising temperatures, flooding, or deforestation?

Climate education is key to changing our mindset and behavior. When we understand the issues, we can make informed decisions. For example, understanding the causes of flooding would encourage people to take preventative measures, such as clearing drainages & avoiding dumping refuse in them. Similarly, recognizing the link between deforestation and flooding motivates individuals to adopt sustainable practices, like planting multiple trees to balance the effect of the loss of one.

Climate education has a ripple effect; when we educate our parents and community members in the villages, the knowledge is passed down to our siblings and others. Consistent reminders and encouragement can inspire behavioral change even if they're initially resistant. For instance, correcting a sibling who litters can help them develop better habits. I've also found social media to be a powerful tool for climate education. Through my social media channels, I share my knowledge on climate change and inspire others to take action to protect our planet because we have just one.

 What role does gender play in climate education and action, and how can we ensure that young women are empowered in this effort?

Statistics show that the effects of climate change more impact women, and when it comes to social issues, women are more likely to advocate. So I believe that the saying ‘train a girl child, and you train a community’ is a fact. Educating a woman, such as a mother, about climate change has a ripple effect, as she'll educate her household, including her husband and children. So, while educating everyone is essential, prioritizing women can be a game-changer, as they'll help spread the message and inspire action. They would help shape and impact our communities.

What gives you hope for the future of climatic action, particularly in Nigeria? And have changes been implemented so far that provide you with hope that climatic conditions will improve in time? 

It's incredibly encouraging to see the enthusiasm of many young people for climate activism. They're not just speaking out—they're devising innovative solutions and driving change in their communities.

Moreover, the government is finally taking concrete steps to address climate change. The inauguration of the Climate Change Council is a significant milestone, and Nigeria's entry into the global carbon market is a promising development. The council has worked tirelessly to develop policies and programs, collaborating with organizations and governments to host events and showcase solutions.

It gives me hope that people are now paying attention to climate change, unlike five years ago. This newfound awareness and the government's commitment provide me with hope for a brighter future. The Climate Change Council's inauguration is a big deal, and I believe it's a positive turning point for Nigeria's climate change efforts.

How do you think environmental education can empower youth to become leaders in climate action?

It's very simple. When people are educated, especially when they get climate education, they come up with innovative business ideas like recycling plans. There's a lady I admire who turns tires into bricks. This shows the impact of climate education. 

Companies like Ecoata also make a difference with innovations like reverse vending machines for plastic recycling. It's exciting to see mostly young people driving these sustainable solutions, from eco-friendly packaging to innovative branding. 

And there's a lady who does innovative packaging. She doesn't use the normal light on bags. She does innovative branding, and it's nice to see that climate innovation is cutting across different sectors. This is because people are now more educated. 

Climate education drives lifestyle changes and innovation, empowering youths to spread awareness and lead by example. As a result, we're witnessing systemic innovations across various sectors, demonstrating the transformative power of climate education.

How can individuals and organizations support environmental education and efforts to drive meaningful change globally?

First, we must start by learning. Individuals should take the initiative to research, learn, and educate themselves on climate change and then share their knowledge with others.

Organizations can also play a crucial role by inviting climate experts to educate their staff and supporting projects focused on climate education. Support should also be given to organizations and individuals trying to educate people on climate change. This support will provide them with more drive to do whatever they are doing.

We can amplify our impact by collaborating and partnering with individuals and organizations working on climate education. That's one of the ways I feel individuals and organizations can really help.