The Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers, (NIEE), Lagos State Chapter, on Saturday joined the rest of the world in celebrating the International Mother Earth Day.
TOP MEDIA reports that the organisation, through its Chairman, Engr. Yusuf Majolagbe, described the day as “important”.
This media platform reports that Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events. The official theme for this year is ‘Invest in our Planet’.
According to Majolagbe, the theme is “a reminder that we need to take urgent action to address the environmental challenges we face”.
He listed some of the environmental challenges the world is facing to include climate change, deforestation and air and water pollution.
“These challenges are not only threatening the health and well-being of people but also the survival of many species and ecosystems on Earth,” Majolagbe said.
His statement further reads: “One of the most pressing challenges we face is climate change. The increasing global temperatures, sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and loss of biodiversity threaten our ecosystems, economies, and health. To address this, we need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, shift to renewable energy sources, and adapt to the changing climate by building resilient infrastructure and communities.
“Another challenge is pollution, which affects our air, water, and soil quality and harms human health and wildlife. We need to tackle this by implementing effective waste management systems, promoting circular economy practices, and enforcing regulations on industrial and transportation emissions.
“Moreover, the unsustainable use of natural resources, such as deforestation, overfishing, and depletion of freshwater sources, threatens the long-term viability of our ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions of people. We must prioritize conservation and restoration efforts, protect biodiversity hotspots, and promote sustainable agriculture and fisheries practices.
“To achieve these solutions, we need to mobilize collective action from governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals. We need to prioritize environmental protection and sustainability in our policies, investments, and behaviors, and hold ourselves accountable for our impact on the planet.
“As environmental engineers, we have a critical role to play in this transformation. We can apply our expertise in designing and implementing sustainable infrastructure, assessing environmental risks, and developing innovative solutions to environmental challenges.”
Majolagbe called on stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of environmental protection and encourage individuals, businesses, and governments to take action, adding that “this can be through simple actions such as reducing energy consumption, recycling, and using public transportation, or through more complex actions such as investing in sustainable infrastructure and policies.”
“On this World Earth Day, let us commit to building a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable future for all. Let us act now to protect our planet and its resources, for the sake of present and future generations,” he concluded.
