WED: Stakeholders call for collective action to restore, protect planet

Stakeholders in the environment sector have called for collective and transformative action to protect and restore the planet.

Some of the stakeholders spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja, during the commemoration of the World Environment Day (WED), with the theme tagged: “#OnlyOneEarth’.

The WED has been held annually on June 5 since 1973.

They however, expressed the desire for collaborative efforts to ensure strong and effective restoration of the planet.

The WED is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

It is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world.

This year, WED will be hosted by Sweden.

Mr Williams Osaze, the National President of Society for the Promotion of the People’s Rights, said that the year`s theme had actually called for an effective cooperation, transformative action to preserve and reinstate earth.

“Our environment needs to be preserved and restored. A lot of activities have really damaged our environment and we need to collaborate both globally and nationally to safeguard and give-back our planet.

“It is true that numerous actions are being taken by governments, NGOs, civil society organisations, academia, individuals among others across climate, nature and chemicals and pollution.

“The WED is for all to join hands to promote environmental awareness and sustainability across the globe.

“We should know that WED aims to raise global awareness and mobilise humans to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet earth,’’ he said.

Osaze called attention to all Nigerians and international organisations to reconnect to nature and desist from such activities that would damage the environment.

The Head of Communication, Nigeria Conservation Foundation, Mr Oladipo Soneye, urged Nigerians to work toward shaping the future by bringing attention to the critical issues which the planet is facing.

Soneye said that the support would improve and promote nature positively, adding that it was essential to be committed to connecting, reconnecting and involving people to nature.

“Connecting people to nature implores that people should go out and embrace nature, having it in mind that we have “only one earth’’, which is our theme for the 2022 WED.

“We should therefore appreciate the beauty of the earth and know its importance, while protecting the earth that harbours nature,’’ he said.

“The world leaders are committed to decide on a new global action plan for nature, thereby creating a biodiversity framework which halts and reverses nature loss for generations to come,’’ he said.

He, however, called on the authorities both local and international, to join hands to enhance nature-positive future and put effective action plans and projects that would improve in addressing the environmental challenges.

He also called on developed countries to support the developing ones by providing them technical assistance and financial support for a sustainable environment.

Dr Ibrahim Choji, the Board Chairman of Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet), an NGO, called on stakeholders to address environmental challenges by engaging programmes, workshops and other relevant meetings across the country.

Choji urged the stakeholders to as well support the Federal Government in its efforts to protect the planet.

He said that the only way to preserve the earth was by engaging in such activities that have less harmful effects on the environment.

“We can be part of the solution and influence change.

By Vivian Emoni