Environmental degradation which is the disintegration of the earth’s quality caused by pollutants and inappropriate land use and natural resources, has continued to plague the world at an alarming rate over the past few decades, directly affecting the livelihood of over 3.2billion people, representing approximately 40% of the world’s population.
Presently, climate degradation has affected various aspects of human endeavor and has become a common concern for humankind as it poses the biggest threat to man.
This degradation trails the industrial revolution of man, the population explosion, air and plastic pollution, illegal wildlife trade, sea-level increase, the high demand for luxury items, and other anthropogenic activities, resulting in the wanton destruction of nature.
This has necessitated the need for sustainable environmental education to enlighten man on the adverse effect of anthropogenic activities on the earth’s surface.
In 1972, the United Nations (UN) commenced a campaign to create global awareness and action for the protection of the environment through the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP).
The first conference was held in Stockholm on June 5, 1974, with the theme #OnlyOneEarth, buttressing the need to maintain a cleaner, greener, and harmonious living with our natural environment and reminding humans of their roles in sustaining the earth.
Since then, World Environment Day (WED) has been celebrated annually on the June 5 and has become the most significant international sensitisation programme to cherish nature and the need to conserve our environment.
This year’s WED celebration is a historical milestone in the quest to sustain the environment – it marks the 50th year in existence of the global campaign, hence, the choice of Sweden as the host nation and a repeat of the debut theme, #OnlyOneEarth.
The focus for this year is living sustainably in harmony with nature, highlighting a possible shift to a greener lifestyle through policies and individual choices.
Sweden and Kenya, with the support of the UNEP and other partners, will collaborate to organize a high-level international meeting.
The Nigerian Government recognises the urgent need to combat climate change and the drive to achieve SDG 13.
Hence, its inclusion in various sustainability projects such as the 2021 inauguration of a 10-man steering committee to implement a Programme for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Niger Basin (PIDACC/NG), with a focus on strengthening and recovering the Niger River’s ecosystems through a sustainable natural resource management system.
This was followed by the launch of the Nigeria Deep Decarbonization Project to commemorate its devotion to complying with the National Determined Contributions (NDC) in emissions reduction to climate change in Nigeria.
The Association of Sustainability Professionals in Nigeria (ASPN); a non-profit organization established to redefine and improve the practice and profession of sustainability in the nation, partnered with other sustainability professionals to achieve a sustained environment for mankind.
In a collaborative effort for a sustainable environment, ASPN organized several enlightenment programs and webinars in collaboration with stakeholders in the public and private sectors.
These programs educate its members and the general public on the implication of climate change, challenges, risks, and also suggest actions that can be taken to sustain the climate in Nigeria.
The journey of sustaining the earth is way beyond the government or experts alone, it requires a joint effort by everyone to save the climate and hands must be on deck to ensure that Nigeria continues to play a vital role in environmental sustainability.
We have just one earth, and as such, it is our responsibility to sustain our environment.
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