FG Blames Unhealthy Human Activities For Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja 

      Musa 

The federal government has stated that unhealthy and degenerating human activities is responsible for widespread deforestation, global warming, loss of biodiversity, climate change, flooding, plastic and air pollution, and among others. 

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Engr Hassan Musa disclosed this in Abuja yesterday at the 15th National Council on Environment (NCE) meeting with the theme, “Appraisal of the Emerging challenges and opportunities in the Environment Sector:  A call for action towards the Environment of our dream”. 

He said the challenges placed the topography of the environment on a downward spiral, adding that the theme is apt considering the enormous crisis and opportunities unveiled by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to him, "The pandemic is also a wake-up call for us to lay out a blueprint for a transformative recovery towards sustainability, greener and more inclusive economy that will advertently steer the economy on the path of visible growth and development". 

Musa stated that the environment sector cuts across nine priority areas such as  building a thriving and sustainable economy, enhancing social inclusion and poverty reduction, enlarging agricultural output for food security and export, attaining energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products and among others. 

To achieve the goals, the permanent secretary said there is a need for effective participation from the stakeholders, while harping on adequate financial resources to mobilise the expertise required for the desired change. 

Irrespective of the environmental crisis, he stated that there are emerging opportunities in the sector such as designing and implementing standard operating procedures, providing technical support for environmental remediation projects, designing programmes and process for a cleaner environment, and ensuring sustainable environmental planning and conservation of the natural resources. 

He said the solution to sustainable ecosystem lies on the Great Green Wall (GGW), waste management, watershed management, renewable energy, eco-tourism, green bond, afforestation/reforestation programmes, implementation of UNEP report on the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation project (HYPREP) and Environmental Impact assessment (EIA).