Earth near extinction due to climate change - Prof Amonoo

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA - Professor Reginald Fraser Amonoo, President of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS), on Monday painted a gloomy state of the earth due to climate change.

He said the dominant fear now is that through the misdeeds of men, emitting too much CO2 (carbon dioxide), we would destroy the basis of life, damage the planet, which could no longer sustain human population by 2050. Prof. Amonoo stated at the first in a series of lectures to mark the GAAS 51 Founders Week harangue on the general theme: "Climate Change," in Accra, which was chaired by Nana Dr. Susubiribi Krobea Asante, Omanhene of Asante Asokore.

Speaking on the sub- theme: "Perpetual Change and the Role of Scholars", Prof Amonoo called on scholars to alert governments and people generally to the dangers of reckless living manifesting in rising sea level, and unusual rain fall pattern.

He also tasked scholars to help to manage the change in all its manifestation, to serve as agents of change in traditional and conservative societies and to uphold their obligations towards the community at large. Prof Amonoo said climate change poses an urgent challenge that threatens the environment and also international peace, security, prosperity and development.

Other sub-themes for the week are: "Climate Change Scenarios," "Challenges to Human Survival," "Climate Change and Human Health," Climate Change and Agriculture," "Policy Response to Climate and Food Security in Semi-arid Zones of Ghana," and "the way Forward".

The week-long lectures would be climaxed with Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lecture on the theme: "The Real-Politic of Kwame Nkrumah".

As part of the lectures, three new members; Dr George K. S. Aflakpui, Rector of Wa Polytechnic, Prof Kwesi Kwafo Adarkwa, immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Prof Ablade Glover, artist and former head of the Department of Art Education and Dean of the College of Art at the KNUST were inducted into the GAAS membership.