The fast depletion of the ozone layer, rising sea level, incessant flooding and the soot were some of the issues that dominated the headline as the world marks the 2022 World Environment day
Here in Rivers State Port Harcourt City and environs stood still as some groups rolled out drums to celebrate the event.
This year’s world environment day with the theme, “only One Earth” is being hosted by Sweden.
The first world environment day was held in 1974 and incidentally “only one Earth” was also the theme for the celebration.
Some of the groups which rolled out their drums to mark the day include, the Nigerian Environmental Society(NES),Rivers state the Rivers Network of NGos, Centre for Environment, Human Right and Development, while the ministry of environment was reportedly arranging activities to mark the day.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have called for policies to save the Earth from extinction.
A cross section of stakeholders who spoke in an interview, described the theme of the day as apt inview of human activities that are threatening the Earth.
According to them,urgent attention are needed to curtail activities that are threatening the environment.
They cited the case of gas emission that is contributing to ozone layer depletion,the soot  problem in Port Harcourt and other parts of the Niger Delta and rising sea level threatening communities in the Niger Delta and the indiscriminate dumping of wastes into the environment.and gutters, causing flooding.
They decried the high rate of bush burning ,deforestation and other in inimical  activities against the environment.
Speaking at the celebration,coordinator of Rivers Network of NGOs (Rinngos)DrMina Ogbanga, said the celebration represents a global platform for inspiring positive change.
Ogbanga said with over 150 countries,participating in the event,The UN international day engaged governments, businesses,civil societies,schools,celebrities,cities and communities,raising awareness and celebrating environmental action.
She said the occasion provided an opportunity for individuals to be drivers of change through business action.
According to her, “in this global celebration, Rivers state civil societies are not left out as with support from the European Union, Agent for citizen driven transformation and the British Council ,Rinngos is implementing the climate Action for Sustainability and Environmental protection.
“This comes as a direct response to addressing climate change impact”..
Ogbanga listed the goals to include combating climate change and its impact,strengthening resilience, climate literacy and advocacy among children and youth in Rivers State.
She said the project will increase support for the participation of CSOs,CBOs and youth to accelerate action to tackle the most pressing environmental problems such as pollution,inadequate knowledge and skills in environmental protection.
State coordinator of Rivers Volunteer Sanitation Marshals, Prince Sodin Akiagba, said human activities can destroy the Earth if it is not checked.
Akiagba said in the light of the celebration,various governments across the country should take practical steps to check pollution in their areas.
He listed some of these activities as kpofire,bush burning incesssnt cutting down of trees and blocking of drainages.
Akiagba further called for programmes to encourage waste recycling as it would create jobs for thousands of people.
On his part, Zonal Director of the National Emergency Management Agency, Godwin Tepikor said people should desist from dumping refuse into the gutters.
He also warned against building on water right of ways of water.
A Port Harcourt based journalist Olalekan Ige, said the celebration should serve to reflect on man’s activities threatening the Earth.
Ige also called on people to stop littering the environment to avoid diseases.

By: John Bibor