Environment
Stakeholders Seek Policies To Address Biodiversity Loss
To address biodiversity loss, restore ecosystems and protect bird species, conservationists have called for action by government to translate Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) into laws and policy.
They spoke at the 21st Chief S. L. Edu Memorial Lecture held in Lagos.
The memorial lecture is a yearly event organised by Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in collaboration with the Edu’s family and the support of Chevron Nigeria.
Vice President, Regions and Partnership, Birdlife International, Martin Harper, said action by businesses to commit to becoming net zero, taking nature positive action and sectoral reforms must be pursued vigorously.
He said his group plans includes concrete measures to halt and reverse nature loss, including putting 30 per cent of the planet and 30 per cent of degraded ecosystems under protection by 2030.
It also contains proposals to increase finance to developing countries ,a major sticking point during talks.
“The stakes could not be higher as the planet is experiencing a dangerous decline in nature as a result of human activity.
“It is experiencing its largest loss of life since the dinosaurs. About one million plant and animal species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades.”
Harper who spoke on ‘Humanity and the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss’ said there was need to protect ecosystem, manage working lands and restore native cover to avoid emissions and enhance carbon sinks.
He said nature solutions could save 10 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent yearly and challenged stakeholders to massively fast-track climate efforts across countries and every timeframe.
Harper added that the world needs climate action on all fronts as attested by the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres. Harper said: “We need to stop the destruction, including 270 million hectares of deforestation and protect ecosystems, improve the management of 2.5 billion hectares of land and restore 678 million hectares especially of high carbon habitats like Peatlands.”
According to him, birds face a range of threats with 1,409 species globally threatened, 23 critically endangered, while one in five species of birds are of conservation concerns. According to him, bird’s populations are in decline and the extinction risk is escalating as about 436 species of birds moved to higher threat category due to deterioration in status.
He called for action by government to translate Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) into laws and policies backed up by funding, adding that action by business to commit to becoming net zero and nature positive, take action and call for sector reform.
The Chairman, National Executive Council, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Chief Ede Dafinone, said the theme offers opportunity to discuss urgent environmental conservation matters and mobilise urgent actions towards saving ‘our world by all and sundry’.
Stories by John Bibor
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
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