Sustainable Environment: Beyond MDGs

Self-preservation is an elementary principle
of longevity among humanity. Unfortu
nately the human race in the quest to exploit, conquer and dominate the environment has put both the environment and humanity at risk of extinction.
The annual celebration of the World Environment Day (WED) by the United Nations represents a clarion call on humanity to rise to the clear and present danger which the destruction of the environment poses to the present and future generations.
Climate change and the dislocations it continues to impact on the ozone layer, sea levels, desertification and other physical features of the environment remain as potent as ever.
As the world recently marked the 2015 World Environment Day, the need for the inhabitants, especially the youth, to know and treat the environment with greater care came under focus.
In his message to this year’s WED whose theme was “Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet, Consume With Care,” the UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban ki Moon said: “although individuals decision may seem small in the face of global threats and trends, when billions of people join forces in common purposes, we can make a tremendous difference.”
Even as the UN continues to alert on the dangers of harmful practices against the environment, many stakeholders including multi-national organizations whose operations adversely impact on the environment, have remained apathetic on the need to remediate and conserve the environment. Rural communities are even more ignorant and endangered.
Against the backdrop of the expiration of some issues in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) it has become imperative that natural resources conservation be captured in the emerging development agenda known as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
There is no gain saying that the environment is a critical factor in development and no society can achieve sustainable development without a conservation policy.
As the world gradually transits from achieving the MDGs to SDGs and natural resource conservation, there is urgent need for the younger generation to key into the programme.
The youth should engage themselves as worthy ambassadors of the environment.
The Tide believes that it is also time for states in the Niger Delta region to focus on areas of comparative advantage in the conservation and protection of the environment.
As states in the region continue to contend with the challenges of tidal erosion, gas flaring, environment pollution, strange ailments and other negative impacts of oil and gas exploration and exploitation, stakeholding multinational firms and groups should rise from their present lethargy to address the peculiar conservation challenges of the oil and gas region.
Perhaps the most repugnant of the environmental challenges in Rivers State is that of refuse disposal. Coincidentally, this year’s WED which was celebrated last Friday took place shortly after Governor Nyesom Wike assumed the helm of office.
It was celebrated amidst the resurgence of mountains of garbages that virtually overtook the city of Port Harcourt following an apparent strike action by refuse contractors responsible for refuse evacuation.
Even as the governor commendably confronted the refuse challenge and ordered the refuse contractors back to work, it is important that the the present administration in the state prioritises waste disposal and refuse management.
This is not only for the purpose of returning Port Harcourt to its Garden City fame but also for the overall good health of the citizenry.
We also call on the government to strengthen and enforce the regulations against construction of buildings on waterways which often lead to flooding, building collapse and resultant loss of lives and property.
Rivers State government in particular and government at all levels must evolve and enforce stricter policies and programmes on natural resource conservation for future generations.
Incidentally, the UN also declared this year, International Year of the Soil, to emphasise the need for good soil management and conservation.
As the challenges of the environment outlive the targets and achievements of the MDGs, the SDGs must embrace biodiversity restoration and natural resource conservation in the sustainable environmental plan of action.