At the 2024 World Environment Day conference hosted by Trinity University in Lagos, the institution emphasized that governments and corporations bear a significant responsibility in mitigating the environmental harm caused by human activities and must take decisive action to restore the planet’s ecological balance.
The 2024 World Environment Day, was titled ‘Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resistance.’
The United Nations established World Environment Day in 1972 at the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, and it has been observed annually on June 5 since 1973.
Professor Bolanle Oboh, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Research) at the University of Lagos, Akoka, delivered a keynote speech in which she expressed concern about the devastating effects of human activities, such as indiscriminate deforestation, on global warming and climate change.
She highlighted the severe consequences of these activities, including food insecurity, flooding, pest invasion, biodiversity loss, famine, decreased mortality, ecosystem damage, and soil erosion.
“This is why the fight against land degradation, desertification, and drought in Nigeria and elsewhere across the globe is a joint one and demands multi-faceted approaches,” she said.
Vice-Chancellor, Trinity University, Prof. Clement Kolawole, in his welcome address, added, “As we all know, the health of our planet is facing unprecedented challenges. Climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable land use practices are leading to devastating consequences, including land degradation, desertification, and droughts.
These issues not only affect our ecosystems but also have far-reaching impacts on human well-being, food security, and economic development. As a university, we recognize the crucial role we play in addressing these challenges.
“Through research, education, and community engagement, we are committed to finding solutions and inspiring action. Today’s seminar brings together experts and stakeholders to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices in land restoration and sustainable land management. We will explore innovative approaches, technologies, and policies that can help us build resilience to desertification and droughts.”
Dr Oluseun Popoola of Yaba College of Technology and Chairman of the Chemical Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, defined desertification as the declining quality of soil in arid, semi-arid, and sub-humid dry areas caused by climatic changes and human activities.
She described land degradation as the deterioration or loss of the productive capacity of soils for the present and future.
Popoola added that environmental challenges demand collaboration among governments, academia, industry, communities, and civil society.
“Education and awareness, policy advocacy, and funding environmental literacy are crucial. The next generation should be educated about land stewardship and sustainable practices. Policies that prioritize land restoration, combat desertification, and build drought resilience should be instituted.”
Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, provided a sobering context, stating that a staggering two billion hectares of land worldwide affecting over three billion people, have been degraded.
“Vital ecosystems and countless species are under threat. In the face of more severe and prolonged droughts, sandstorms, and rising temperatures, it is crucial to find ways to prevent dry land from becoming desert, fresh water sources from evaporating, and fertile soil from turning to dust,” he said.
Dr. Ajayi urged governments to prioritize environmental sustainability by investing in green urban planning, restoring natural ecosystems, reducing nitrous oxide emissions, promoting eco-friendly agriculture, preventing water pollution, and reviving freshwater ecosystems.
![#Edodecides2024: Obaseki calls for calm, hints at legal action [VIDEO]](https://thediscovererng.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/download-6-3-120x86.jpeg)
