Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday urged Lagos residents to be mindful of the environment in every action they take.
Sanwo-Olu, who made the call at an event to mark the 2022 World Environment Day (WED), themed, “Only One Earth,” underscored the importance of nurturing nature for a better environment.
The Governor, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Dr Gaji Tajudeen, said: “Let us all do more to make the world a cleaner and healthier place.”
The governor expressed happiness in lending his voice with the global community to mark the 50th anniversary of the WED, adding that the United Nations was conscious of the major role played by environmental sustainability.
He said sustainability played a very key role in the wellbeing of people and their economic dependence, which led to setting aside June 5 to stimulate environmental actions for a better world.
“The commemoration of the day is a global platform for inspiring positive change with over 150 countries participating to raise awareness and stimulate environmental actions. The 2020 World Environment Day is a historic milestone for the global environmental community,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He recalled that the first ever celebration 50 years ago stimulated a collective action to protect the environment.
“It was also there that the goals of poverty alleviation and environmental protection became linked, paving the way for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“It is fascinating to mention that Only one Earth was the slogan for the 1972 Stockholm conference,” Sanwo-Olu said, adding that the 2022 celebration was a Clarion call to celebrate the planet through collective environmental actions.
“There is an urgent need to focus on the need to live sustainably with nature and possibilities for shifting to a greener lifestyle through both policies and individual choices for the benefit of mankind.
“Sustainability and protection of the environment are without a doubt among the most pressing issues in the world today, such as climate change, loss of biodiversity and environmental pollution.
“The impact of these challenges have negatively made the achievement of SDGs less successful,” Sanwo-Olu said
Sustainability and protection of the environment are without a doubt among the most pressing issues in the world today, such as climate change, loss of biodiversity and environmental pollution.
The Governor also noted that human lifestyle and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were a major cause of climate change, saying that the planet’s ecosystem was currently suffering a staggering rate of dramatic environmental change.
He said the change is precipitated by increasing negative effects on human population growth and associated pollution problems. “Global Environmental pollution has altered the earth’s natural system, and is becoming an increasing concern for wellbeing and survival of many species.
“Time is running out and nature is in emergency mode, without action, actual exposure to air pollution beyond safe guidelines will increase by 50 per cent.
“Within the decade, the climate is heating up too quickly for people to survive and adapt to nature,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He argued that no matter our economic status, we can still be a part of Lagos State Development Agenda by getting involved. “It is also an opportunity for us to think about nature, which offers us supply, shelter, and ecosystem restoration.
“We must admit the achievement of Lagos State Governments in bringing about restoration of indigenous trees project towards curbing Climate change effects and its effort to end open defecation by 2025.”
He commended the contributions of corporate organizations, non-governmental organizations, traditional groups, religious groups and other notable bodies that have consistently been involved in making the environment better.
He also expressed gratitude to the management and staff of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources for sustaining the state’s drive towards the legacy of greening and restoration of indigenous trees to the citizens is sustained. (NAN)
