Nigeria Unmasking Shell's Methane Emissions: The Looming Health Crisis in Nigeria's Niger Delta

Photo by Zbynek Burival on Unsplash

Despite global efforts to control methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, emissions continue to rise. Fossil fuel production and operation contribute to over a third of these emissions. Although major oil companies, including Shell, claim to be reducing their methane emissions, experts and watchdogs caution that the industry's data reporting might be misleading, according to a recent report by TheCable.

Carbon dioxide emissions have been the primary focus. Still, a rapid and sustained reduction in methane is crucial for the global climate and the immediate health of local communities. Methane has over 80 times the heat-trapping potential of carbon dioxide over two decades. Its unchecked release can deteriorate air quality, leading to respiratory issues, particularly in vulnerable populations like children and older people.

The situation in Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta, is alarming. Though Shell left Ogoniland 25 years ago, oil continues to seep from wellheads and pipelines into the Niger Delta - this poses environmental risks and directly threatens the health of local communities. Contaminated water supplies from associated pollutants can lead to various health issues, from gastrointestinal problems to more severe conditions.

The Niger Delta is at the epicentre of this health crisis. Shell, which established Nigeria's oil sector in the 1950s, contributes to nearly 40% of the country's total oil production. Data from Nigeria's National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the World Bank's Gas Flaring Tracker satellite indicate that oil companies, including Shell, have flared gas worth approximately $3.9 billion in the past four years.

While the global implications of methane emissions are well-documented, for Nigerians, the immediate concern is the health of their communities. The unchecked release of methane and associated pollutants can lead to respiratory conditions, water contamination, and economic hardships that indirectly affect health and well-being.

Nigerians must be aware of the looming health crisis in their backyard. Addressing these emissions is not just crucial for the global fight against climate change but for the immediate health and well-being of the Niger Delta communities.