Climate YES Nigeria Launched in Taraba

For years, the climate crisis has been unfolding quietly in our communities—not quietly enough for those living through it, but often quietly enough to be overlooked.

In Taraba State, a land blessed with forests, mountains, rivers and fertile agricultural communities, the signs are becoming harder to ignore. The changing seasons, rising temperatures, deforestation, land degradation, flooding and pressure on food and livelihoods are increasingly shaping everyday life. In communities across the state, environmental degradation is no longer simply an issue for scientists or policymakers. It is becoming a question of survival.

Yet for a long time, many communities have had little opportunity to respond. Climate conversations have often remained distant from the places where people worship, raise families, educate their children and make their living. Churches and faith communities—some of the most trusted institutions in society—have enormous potential to mobilise people, but climate action has not always been part of that conversation.

This is the urgency that brought Climate YES to Nigeria.

The official launch of the Climate YES Nigeria Hub in Jalingo, Taraba State, on 28 June 2026 was therefore more than the launch of an organisation. It was a response to a growing reality: we can no longer wait for someone else to act.

Under the theme “Faith in Action: Raising Young Christian Voices for Climate Justice in Nigeria,” more than 242 people gathered at LCCN No. 7, Mile-Six, including young people, church leaders, women leaders, students and professionals from ECWA, LCCN, the Catholic Church, Baptist Church, Living Faith Church, RCCN and CRCN.

From helplessness to responsibility

Climate YES Nigeria is built on a simple conviction: young people are not merely victims of the climate crisis—they are agents of change. We are doing something different by bringing faith, youth leadership, climate advocacy and practical community action into the same conversation.

We are building a movement where young Christians can learn about climate change, organise within their communities, advocate for better policies, restore degraded environments, plant trees, mobilise churches and ensure that climate justice becomes part of the Christian response to the challenges of our time.

Our mission is to mobilise, empower and connect young Christians across Nigeria to advocate for climate justice, care for creation and build a movement for climate action.And we are starting where the need is visible: in our churches, communities, schools and local environments.

The response to the launch has already shown what is possible. More than 17 young people have stepped forward to volunteer. Church youth leaders are proposing tree-planting initiatives, including the restoration of a 14.5-acre church campground, while women leaders are asking how they can become part of the movement and take climate awareness into their fellowships.

These are not just ideas. They are the first signs of a movement taking root.

Voices from the launch

“Climate YES is an answered prayer.”
— Taraba Diocese Youth President, reflecting on the opportunity for young people to take practical climate action.

“This is a very timely and welcome initiative.”
— Women’s Fellowship Secretary, calling for climate awareness to reach women’s circles, where many women are already experiencing the effects of climate change.

“Young people are not only the victims of climate injustice, but also the hope towards a better tomorrow.”
— Rev. Shede Habila, Keynote Speaker.

“Climate justice requires meaningful participation of youth in decision-making.”
— Key message from the keynote address.

The journey has begun

The Climate YES Nigeria Hub is not launching simply to talk about climate change. We are launching to organise for change. From Jalingo to communities across Nigeria, we envision young Christians becoming climate advocates in their churches, voices for environmental justice in their communities, and leaders who transform concern into action. The crisis is already here. Our response must be here too.

Climate YES Nigeria — Faith in Action. Climate Justice. Creation Care. Youth Leadership.