Business
Environmental Advocacy: LASG Adopts Bottom Up Approach
The Lagos State Government, has adopted a ‘bottom-up’ approach to environmental advocacy through the establishment of Schools Advocacy Programme in the state.
This is contained in a press statement signed by Mrs Adetokunbo Agbensanwa, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Schools Advocacy on the Environment.
The statement explained that the Schools Advocacy Programme seeks to enlighten students on climate change and environmental education.
“The goal is to enlighten the students about the challenges this generation faces from the environment and how they can be mitigated.
“It is a well-known fact that this form of environmental education provides its beneficiaries with the capability and skills over time to analyse environmental issues, engage in problem solving and take actions to sustain and improve the environment.”
The statement explained that key principles of such an approach were awareness and sensitivity, knowledge and understanding, development of attitudes of concern and skills to help resolve environmental challenges.
It identified the expected consequence of the exposure as the increased participation of youths in activities that lead to the resolution of various environmental challenges.
The statement said that children had been identified as one of the groups in society most vulnerable to environmental challenges.
“It is only expedient to educate them on the challenges, the replenishment of the environment and its mitigation.”
It was gathered that the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Schools Advocacy co-ordinates education on environmental challenges and the evolution of appropriate mitigation initiatives in all primary and secondary schools in the state.
The office also embarks on programmes and projects which all children in public and private schools in the state benefit from.
“With the vision, “No child is Left Behind,” the Office aims at taking environmental advocacy to children from ages three and above.
Some of the environment-related clubs now in Lagos State schools include Climate Change Clubs, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) Club, the Lagos State Sewage Ambassadors and Lagos State Energy Kids.