By Edeniyere Abraham Osose
A clean, healthy and sustainable environment is one of the basic requirements for the survival of all living beings on this planet earth. It is a determining factor of human health, social and economic prosperity. Sustainable environment is invariably responsible for the survival of human society and the world at large.
Unfortunately, our planet has been facing massive environmental crisis in recent times, caused by various forms of degradation, including pollution, deforestation, climate change and negative human activities that are inimical to sustainable environment. Meanwhile, the consequences of these environmental issues can be devastating, and cause loss of biodiversity, natural disasters and other hazardous problems.
It is imperative to note that it is now a call to duty for everyone to rise to the occasion, take responsibility for the environment and work towards creating a cleaner and sustainable world for the present and future generations. Similarly, a clean and healthy environment is not only important to human health, but also for the survival of animals and plants. It is a well known fact that pollution can have negative effects on wildlife and their habitats, thus leading to the extinction of species and loss of biodiversity.
Deforestation, on the other hand, can lead to soil erosion, flooding and loss of soil nutrients. Climate change, which is caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels, also leads to changes in weather patterns, rising sea levels, and other catastrophic consequences. However, the good news is that there are ways to tackle these environmental issues, and create a cleaner and more sustainable environment to salvage the environmental crisis faced by the world. This could be achieved only if people are determined to collectively work hard to make it a reality.
To this end, it is therefore imperative for residents of Edo State to individually and collectively complement the unique and transformation efforts of Edo State Government towards creating an eco-friendly environment for its people and for businesses to thrive. On its part, Edo State Government has set up “Operation Clean and Green Edo” campaign, strategically targeted at swiftly redeeming the fast-degrading environment in recent times. In this endeavour, the Government is adopting best global practices in waste management, and tackling the precarious deforestation in the State. This effort should be applauded and complemented by everyone through spontaneous support for the State Government, as it genuinely strives to reverse the ugly trend and reposition the State for tourists attraction.
Some of the practical ways people can support this laudable efforts include working together as a people in their various homes, places of work, communities and local government areas to participate in local clean-up events, making small changes in their daily sanitation routines, avoiding indiscriminate dumping of refuse, keeping their surroundings clean, obeying the State environmental laws, amongst other measures. Through this practice, every individual can make a positive difference in order to have a better environment to live in, and create a better world at large for everyone.
Therefore, cleaning and maintaining the environment should be taken as a collective responsibility, and all stakeholders should work in their various capacities towards mitigating the effects of climate change, pollution and other environmental degradation activities, because the consequences of failing to take care of the environment are dire, and the effects are felt by everyone, regardless of age, gender, race or social status.
In view of the foregoing analysis, I wish to posit that cleaning the environment should not be left for the Government or a few individuals. Everyone has a part to play, from individuals to organizations, businesses and governments. It is through such collective responsibility and positive actions of people that we can be sure of a safe world that is habitable, clean and ecologically friendly for the present and future generations, and at all levels of life.
To get involved in saving the environment, you could start by taking small actions such as reducing plastic waste, recycling, and using eco-friendly products. You can also participate in community clean-up activities, planting trees, conserving water and supporting environmental conservation organizations, as these steps can make a big difference. These are pragmatic ways to contribute to the environmental sustainability of Edo State, as the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration makes relentless efforts to make Edo Great Again.
