Joseph Edegbo:
As the World sets to observe the 2019 Earth Day, a Non- Governmental Organization, “Bridge that Gap” has called for the declaration of a state of emergency on environment to prevent the extinction of species.
At a news briefing in Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria on Tuesday as part of activities marking the Day, which has as its theme, “Protect Our Species”, the Executive Director of the NGO, Gloria Bulus noted with concern the neglect being metted on the environment.
She stated that the destruction of plant and wildlife was being caused by human driven activities, climate change and deforestation, hence the need for collective efforts to avert the consequences.
To this end, Gloria said, the NGO is working closely with institutions of higher learning including the Kaduna State University, the academia in research work to educate and raise awareness about the extinction, causes and consequences of this phenomena.
The NGO, she added, will embark on tree planting campaign against deforestation and influence law and policies on environmental protection.
The Executive Director said although there are enough policies on ground, but the enforcement is lacking adding that the NGO would engage the State legislature and also hold consultations with other stakeholders to protect the environment, and the endangered and threatened Species.
Meanwhile, the Earth Day Network is asking people to join the campaign. by among others: Educate and raise awareness about the accelerating rate of extinction of millions of species and the causes and consequences, achieve major policy victories that protect broad groups of species as well as individual species and their habitats.
Build and activate a global movement that embraces nature and its values and encourage individual actions such as adopting plant based diet and stopping pesticide and herbicide use.
