How Real Estate Is Causing Climate Change
The Nigerian real estate industry is booming — but so is deforestation and the urban-heat island effect.
The Nigerian real estate industry has witnessed exceptional growth in recent years, due to population growth and additional wealth after the oil boom of the 1970s. But deforestation due to expansion for the real estate development has released carbon previously stored in the cut down trees back into the atmosphere. And with that, the amount of trees available to capture and store carbon dioxide in their roots — based on their level of carbon sequestration — has been reduced.
It is no rare knowledge that increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the primary cause of climate change. Given the connection between the real estate business and it’s contributions to climate change, is it safe to conclude that “real estate is causing climate change”? — and especially in Nigeria?
The roots of the real estate business in Nigeria can be traced to the pre-colonial era. Following Nigeria’s independence in 1960, rapid urbanization and population growth fueled the demand for housing and urban infrastructure. The real estate industry began to emerge as developers had to meet the rising needs of the increasing populace.
The influx of revenue after the oil boom created a demand for luxury housing, commercial office spaces, and retail centers.
The real estate sector in Nigeria has always been considered as a significant part of the economic growth of the country, and has presented significant opportunities for growth, investments and socioeconomic development.
Judging from the numerous benefits that real estate has brought to a developing country like mine, am I advocating for an end to real estate development in Nigeria? Well maybe, and maybe not.
Undoubtedly in the quest for urbanization and expansion, more trees have been cut down, leading to massive deforestation. Our focus has been more on how to acquire more property, much of which we don’t even need.
I had read about “degrowth economy” some time ago in an article on Medium. The author had explained how the quest for increased GDPs of nations has contributed to climate change.
Relating it to the case of real estate development in Nigeria, the desire to see Nigeria thrive economically — and increase standards of living, real estate has been and is still a go-to option. On account of this, most of the recorded deforestation activities can be attributed to urbanization.
The Nigerian climate change story owing to real estate development is far from being over. I’ve been privileged to visit 17 states of the 36 states in Nigeria, and the FCT (Abuja), and trust me, I’ve seen things!
While real estate is important for providing homes and apartments to people, progressing the economy through the provision of spaces for businesses, industries, and agriculture, it is also important to note the numerous disadvantages it has brought on humanity.
I’ve always been intrigued by our habit for living in very clustered areas when there is more than enough space on the Earth for us to inhabit. And this is how it is in Nigerian cities.
Lagos is one of the most, if not the most bubbling cities in Nigeria. I guess the “bubbles” in the city has made everyone from every other part of Nigeria to want to settle there. Now, Lagos is extremely populated, housing is scarce and hence the need for more.
In the process, we get to witness and hear “chop, chop, chop” of trees. When the heat waves increased, Lagos was one of the hardest hit — though I wasn’t there at the time. The two things are connected. We need tree for shade, for water supply — for life.
In addition to the whole urban development and deforestation, because there are now lots of people crammed up in that area, the GHG emissions produced is also increased from factories, vehicles and everywhere they are emitted from. This is disheartening, annoying and MUST STOP!
Clearly, real estate is important for my country, for us to live comfortably and have a robust economy. I’m not calling for an end to all building. But where we need to build, it’s important that we make plans to plant trees alongside every home. As Nigeria warms, we need to be wary of the urban heat island effect — and green our cities accordingly.
I’m hoping this article can renew our minds on the topic, so we could play our part in mitigating change. Urbanization has contributed greatly to the temperature variations experienced over the years till the present time. But urbanization, if done thoughtfully, with tree planting and greenery for shade and rainwater capture — could yet be part of a more sustainable future.
