Niyi Osundare, renowned poet and professor has urged writers to commit their crafts towards fight against climate change.

He spoke on August 7, 2020 at a webinar event organized by The Green Institute, a climate change advocacy organization, founded by Dr. Adenike Akinsemolu.

Tagged, “What the Earth Said”: A Reading and Conversation with Niyi Osundare, the event had in attendance scholars and students of literature as well as environmental advocates. It was hosted by Tosin Gbogi, an assistant professor of English and Africana Studies, Marquette University.

Some of the major highlights of the programme featured poetry performance by the celebrated poet from some his published works followed by discussions around their themes.

The performance centred around four theme-parts: the first on paying homage to the earth (extracted from The Eyes of the Earth and Days); the second part focused on mourning the violence done to the earth (extracted from Isle edited with Professor Slovich ); the third part (extracted from his Sequel to The Eyes of the Earth) reflected on the consequences of human actions on the earth; the fourth and final part (also extracted from his Sequel to The Eyes of the Earth) was an admonition to every human inhabiting the planet to be conscious of how their actions affect the state of our earth.

Osundare also read poems in honour of climate change activists he referred to as “earth warriors.”

One of those he specifically mentioned was Ken Saro Wiwa, writer and environmental activist, killed in 1995 by the Nigerian government over his strong protestation at the degradation of the Niger Delta region of the country caused by the activities of the multinational oil companies.

Another earth warrior he honoured was Gretta Thunberg, whose address on climate change at the United Nations inspired his poem, “How Dare You.”

Osundare furthered urged writers and artists to not shy away from partnering responsible and genuine politicians and policymakers in the fight against climate change.