World Environment Day: Sanwo-Olu advocates for priority attention to environmental protection

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged Lagos residents to think first of the environment in every action they take.

Sanwo-Olu made the call on Sunday in Lagos at an event to mark the 2022 World Environment Day(WED)

The theme of this years WED is “Only One Earth.”

Represented by Dr Gaji Tajudeen, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Sanwo-Olu underscored the importance of nurturing nature for a better environment.

“Let us all do more to make the world a cleaner and healthier place,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor expressed happiness in lending his voice with the global community to mark the 50th anniversary of the WED

He said that the United Nations was conscious of the major role played by environmental sustainability

He said that sustainability played very key role in the well being of people and their economic dependence.

According to him, these considerations led to setting aside June 5 to stimulate environmental actions for a better world.

“The commemoration of this Day is a global platform for inspiring positive change with over 150 countries participating to raise awareness and stimulate environmental actions.

“The 2022 World Environment Day is a historic milestone for global environmental community,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He reacalled that the first ever celebration 50 years ago stimulated a collective action to protect the environment.

” It was also there that the goals of poverty alleviation and environmental protection became linked, paving the way for Sustainable Development Goals.

It is fascinating to mention that Only one Earth was the slogan for the 1972 Stockholm conference,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The state chief executive said that the 2022 celebration is a Clarion call to celebrate the planet through collective environmental actions.

“There is urgent need to focus on the need to live sustainably with nature and possibilities for shifting to a greener lifestyle through both policies and individual choices for the benefit of mankind.

“Sustainability and protection of the environment are without a doubt among the most pressing issues in the world today,.

“Such as climate change, loss of biodiversity and environmental pollution.

“The impact of these challenges have negatively made the achievement of SDGs less successful,” Sanwo-Olu said

. He said that human lifestyle and green house emmissions were a major cause of climate change.

Sanwo-Olu said that our planet’s ecosystem is currently suffering a staggering rate of dramatic environmental change.

He said that the change is precipitated by increasing negative effects on human population growth and associated pollution problems.

“Global Environmental pollution has altered the the earth natural system, and is becoming an increasing concern for well being and survival of many species.

“Time is running out and nature is in emergency mode, without action, actual exposure to air pollution beyond safe guidelines will increase by 50 per cent.

“Within the decade, climate is heating up to too quickly for people to survive and adapt to nature,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor said that no matter our economic status, we can still be a part of Lagos State Development Agenda by getting involved.

” It is also an opportunity for us to think about nature, which offers us to supply, shelter, and eco system restoration

“We must admit the achievement of Lagos state governments in bringing about restoration of indigenous trees project towards curbing Climate change effects and its effort to end open defecation by 2025.

He commended the contributions of corporate organizations, non governmental organizations, traditional groups, religious groups and other notable bodies that have consistently been involved in making our environments a better or more conducive place.

Stating that it is collective action that will create the transformative environment needed to advance to a more sustainable and just earth where everyone can flourish with ease.

The governor also expressed gratitude to the management and staff of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources for ensuring that persistence drive of the state’s policy towards interesting legacy of greening and restoration of indigenous trees to the citizen is sustained in the state.