Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged the state residents to focus on the need to live sustainably with nature for the benefit of mankind.
Sanwo-Olu, who spoke during this year’s World Environment Day finale in Lagos, said it has become necessary for shifting to a greener lifestyle through both policies and individual choices.
He added that sustainability of the environment is among the most pressing issues in the world today out of which the earth faces triple planetary emergencies namely; climate change, loss of biodiversity and environmental pollution.
The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Omolaji Gaji, added that the impacts of the aforementioned challenges have negatively made the achievements of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) less successful.
This year’s theme “Only One Earth”, was the slogan for the 1972 Stockholm Conference.
Sanwo-Olu said time is running out and nature is in emergency mode, adding that without action, exposure to air pollution beyond safe guidelines will increase by 50 per cent within the decade, hence climate is heating up too quickly for people to survive and adapt to nature.
He said it is important to note that no matter the economic status, everyone must be a part of Lagos State Development Agenda by getting involved.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Mr. Tunji Bello said the government through the Ministry of Environment & Water Resources has implemented several programmes to mitigate the environmental challenges through tree planting, climate change summit, environmental bees clubs in schools, waste to wealth and ban on open defecation.
“With nature in emergency mode, the #OnlyOneEarth campaign for World Environment Day 2022, wants us to celebrate the planet through collective environmental action,” he said.
He said the 1972 Stockholm Conference spurred the formation of environment ministries around the world and kick-started a host of new global agreements to collectively protect the environment, adding that it was also where the goals of poverty alleviation and environmental protection became linked, paving the way for the Sustainable Development Goals.
Sanwo-Olu explained that around the world now, the planet is suffering a staggering rate of dramatic environmental change, which is increasingly subjected to the negative effects of human population growth and the associated pollution problems.
He added that global environmental pollution has altered the earth’s natural system and is becoming an increasing concern for the well-being and survival of many species.
The governor hailed corporate organisations, non-governmental institutions, traditional groups, religious groups and other notable bodies for ensuring that the persistent drive of the state’s policy towards entrusting legacy of greening and restoration of indigenous trees to the citizen is sustained.
The guest lecturer, Dr. Ayo Tella, while delivering his paper, noted that anthropogenic effects caused by human activities such as felling of trees have altered the earth’s natural systems and survival of many species.
Various categories of awards were presented to corporate organisations, community development areas, schools among others in recognition of contribution to sustainable environment.