A NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

BY EMECHO TED

The pressure on the environment continues to increase. Habitat loss and degradation from agriculture and infrastructural development, over-exploitation of natural resources, pollution, loss of biodiversity, ozone depletion, outbreak of deadly diseases etc, remain the predominant threats. For far too long, we have left this subject for political debates (such as the climate change
conferences held all over the world). This issue is not one of political affiliation, or of race and ethnic backgrounds. It is not restricted to age or economic status or sexual orientation or any other of a million labels we have been divided into. More than ever, now is not the time for division. Now is the time for concerted effort. Now is the time for the cacophony of noise emanating from concerned citizens around the globe to join in one voice, calling out for change.  I know we are all part of a big family sharing the same air, water and soil.

The need to spread environmental awareness is enormous in the context of successfully addressing environmental problems. It is linked to environmental education. Many of the man-made threats on our environment are fuelled by ignorance and non-chalance of the populace. We all have a responsibility to educate ourselves, families and neighbours to turn away from bad agronomic practices, illegal felling of trees, indiscriminate burning (such as burning tires, bush or wastes), poor refuse disposal habits, cooking with firewood etc. Environmental issues are part of our daily living; therefore, knowledge of them must be reduced to messages and languages understood by all. We therefore need to embark on an aggressive advocacy programme that will bring the populace on board as major stakeholders in the protection of our environment. Be an advocate today; convince someone around you that the environment is our hope.

As Chairman of Geo Blue Nig LTD, I reaffirm our company’s commitment to work as hard as never to contribute in reducing the dangerous environmental pollutants that cause climate change and harm the health and safety of people in Nigeria and other parts of the  world. We pledge to shine a light on the truth, and to build support, taking common sense steps to address critical global problems.” It’s time to be great again by overcoming global warming and other environmental challenges. Nigerians and the World at large can rise to these challenges, because that’s who we are; fair-minded, freedom loving people who live to create a brighter future. We are already seeing the effects of climate change on health, such as emerging tropical diseases, deaths from heat waves and floods, food shortages and increased allergies and asthma. Recognizing these threats, individuals and leaders at every level of government and NGOs must take steps to prevent these impacts and protect our communities. We all want to give our children the best future possible not only because it will help our economy, but, because it is the right thing to do. We have a moral obligation to act now. We all have a role to play in respecting and caring for our environment, not only to preserve what we have today, but also sustaining it for succeeding generations. It is too easy to forget that the environmental problems that prevail today are a result of our inadequacies of yesterday, and the only way to clean them up is to act without delay today. It is only you and I who can do so much. Honestly, improving our environment is not a job just for either the Government or green groups. It requires collective efforts and more importantly a change in the way we live and the habits we have become accustomed to. In doing whatever is necessary to make our skies blue, to make our air fresh and clean, we need to be creative and forward looking.

I am pleased to share my thoughts with you on this very important issue. So please continue with the good work if you are already doing so, stay connected, keep watch and stand up on issues that affect our global and local environment, as I am sure you will. You are the new ambassadors of the environment and I look forward to seeing many of you one day taking up high-level positions either in your own country or in the world stage.” Join us as we take another step in making Nigeria and the world a better place. Support our new initiative. God Bless Nigeria...God Bless us all. Thank you.