As we commemorate World Environment Day 2024 with the theme ‘Reviving lands for a brighter future’, we find ourselves at a crucial juncture. According to findings by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s sixth assessment report released in 2023, adverse climate impacts on people and ecosystems are already more far-reaching and extreme than anticipated. Human-induced activities are driving global temperatures, putting the world at risk of reaching the threshold of 1.
To protect our biodiversity, we must expand and effectively manage protected areas to safeguard critical habitats and species, engage local communities in conservation efforts, ensuring that they benefit from preserving their natural heritage as well as implement and enforce robust environmental laws to prevent illegal logging, poaching, and pollution.Climate change poses a significant threat to Nigeria, with increasing temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and rising sea levels.
Reforestation and Afforestation: Launch large-scale tree-planting initiatives to restore deforested areas and expand forest cover.On this World Environment Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to restoring Nigeria’s land and ecosystems. Government agencies, big businesses and private sector, civil society, and every Nigerian must play a part in this endeavour.
Adopt sustainable consumption practices to minimise waste, especially in our homes by using the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.