The effects of climate change and global warming are hardly noticeable in my country. Germany is located in an ecologically secure and stable latitude; no desert, no flooding, no big natural catastrophes. That is why the alarming consequences of global warming are sometimes not fully understood by my fellow Germans, even though our western life style has huge impacts on climate change.

To understand the physical consequences that global warming has on the global society I decided to work as an intern with FADE-Africa (Fight against Desert Encroachment), an NGO founded by Dr. Newton C. Jibunoh in 2000. FADE is a member of the Nigeria Climate Action Network (NigeriaCAN) and is fighting for a greener world. FADE has many projects mostly located in Kano State.

One of the major projects is the installation of a "green wall" in areas under the threat of desertification. FADE runs a tree planting competition among several schools in Kano state. The NGO provides seedlings for every school and engages pupils on how to maintain the plants. The orchards come in different sizes and quality, but the students are interested and anxious to see the process of growth. It is important to integrate children in environmental work because they determine the world's future.

The Kano school children already know that desertification is a result of erosion, overgrazing and bush burning. They also know that it has a huge influence on the lives of millions of people not only in Nigeria. Poverty, illiteracy, illness and conflicts are only some of the numerous results of this climatic change. Climate and social aspects can no longer be separated. Nature is the source for life and forests are the lungs of the earth.

The most important question is always the "How"? Telling people what is going wrong in our world today is not always enough, we have to educate them about alternatives. How can I cook with a smaller amount of wood? How can I avoid bush burning and still feed my cattle? How can I raise seedlings and maintain a tree? What can I do about termites to save growing trees? People living in endangered areas need practical suggestions, because changing an inherited lifestyle is never easy.

The work of FADE is very complex. Many projects have been concluded, others are ongoing. In cooperation with Lagos State, FADE is currently busy running an expedition and reality TV show called "Desert Warriors". The hope of FADE is to reach many young people through this TV show, in which 50 participants have to prove courage, endurance and knowledge of desertification. Fifteen contestants will have the unique opportunity to cross the Sahara desert in a convoy of Suzuki Jeeps all the way to the United Kingdom. To learn more about it go to: www.lagosdesertwarriors.com.

Projects like FADE, but also the numerous projects of NigeriaCAN are very important for the development of Nigeria. Since life is not possible without a functional environment, we should try to find practical ways of tackling climate change. Every country has to draw its own conclusions and consequences. Germany's role in this fight against global warming will be very different from the steps Nigeria must take, and has taken already. As Germany is cutting down on its carbon emissions, Nigeria should find ways of growing its industry and improving on the citizens' welfare through a greener path.

Sophie Thomas is a Volunteer at the Fight Against Desert Encroachment (FADE) and Nigeria Climate Action Network (NigeriaCAN)