Experts list ways to healthy environment, curb climate change

To tackle the challenges posed by climate change, experts have advocated tree planting, restoration of forests and minimizing pollution as critical solutions to addressing the threat.

The Director-General, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr. Muhtari Aminu Kano proffer the solutions during the inauguration of Network of Young Catholic Careers for the Environment in Nigeria (NYCCEN), held at St. Gregory College, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Speaking on ”Current Environmental Challenges Facing the World with Focus on Nigeria and Lagos State in Particular,” the environmentalist said good planning, wise use of natural resources, upsurge in usage of renewable energy, responsible production and consumption, sustainable agriculture, recycling and conserving habitats are other important ways to curb the effect of climate change.

Highlighting the current environmental challenges facing the world, Aminu Kano said this year, 11, 000 scientists from 153 nations warn of untold suffering due to the climate crisis.

He said: “The climate crisis has arrived and is accelerating faster than most scientists expected. It is more severe than anticipated, threatening natural ecosystems and the fate of humanity. There are especially disturbing trends of increasing land and ocean temperatures, rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Poor countries and poor people in all countries will suffer the most.

The expert said in Nigeria, deserts were encroached on at 0.6 kilometres every year, adding that forests were disappearing at the rate of 350,000 football fields every year.

“Flooding everywhere, gully erosion and coastal erosion, oil pollution, drought and poor harvests, plastics pollution, solid waste and air pollution.

“In Lagos, there is depletion of marine resources, solid waste, especially plastic pollution, water pollution, wildlife trade invasive species, air pollution, flooding and coastal erosion,” he said.

Aminu Kano said change must happen at three levels. He said at the individual level, each of us must change our attitude and behavior, while at the institutional level; organisations and companies must change the way they do things. At the systems level, he said the paradigm must shift to support a green society and green economy.

In his submission, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins stressed the need for Nigerians to ensure a clean and healthy environment.

He said the initiative would combine with efforts being made across the world to ensure the conservation of the environment and a move against the degradation of the world.