As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark this year’s International Day of Climate Action, youths have been urged to actively participate in efforts to mitigate climate change rather than engage in activities that worsen its effects.
Experts in disaster risk management and green economy advocacy made the call on Saturday at a one-day climate change awareness programme organised for students of Word of Faith School, Ekenwa Road, Benin City.
The theme of this year’s celebration is: “Every Action Matters: Taking Individual Responsibility for Mitigating Climate Change Impact.”
Oluigbo, who described climate change as a global challenge that affects everyone, said collective and individual efforts were needed to tackle its effects.
He urged the students to become advocates and agents of climate change mitigation rather than engage in activities that contribute to the problem.
He said the awareness programme was organised to engage young people early and encourage them to become climate change mitigation ambassadors, noting that the responsibility should not be left to the older generation alone.
According to him, the aim was to encourage the students to advocate measures to reduce human activities that contribute to climate change, both at school and at home.
"We have looked at the environment, and the effects of climate change are fast encroaching upon us. When we talked about climate change in the past, it used to seem like something far-fetched.
“But now, its impact is becoming increasingly evident. We asked ourselves how we could mitigate the impact, and we thought the best way and place to start was with the younger generation because their mindsets are still developing.
“If you catch them young, you will be able to impact the wider environment because they have parents and are growing up.
“We want to inculcate in them the qualities and knowledge that will help them work towards a better environment for themselves, their colleagues and peers, and a more sustainable world,” he said.
He urged the students to develop habits that promote the green economy rather than engage in activities that increase greenhouse gas emissions.
On his part, the guest lecturer, Dr Festus Amasikomwan Atewe of the Department of Geography and Disaster Risk Management, University of Benin (UNIBEN), educated the students on the causes and effects of climate change.
Atewe encouraged the students to embrace tree planting, noting that weeds were not enemies of humans but valuable assets that could help mitigate the effects of climate change.
“Whatever you do, the environment will definitely get back to you, if not now, then in the future,” he added.
He urged the students to avoid activities that involve burning fossil fuels, especially when cleaner alternatives were available.
He also advised youths to become environmental protectors rather than destroyers.
Other measures recommended to mitigate the effects of climate change included reducing deforestation, promoting afforestation and forest regeneration, and avoiding the destruction of plants in the surrounding environment.
In her remarks, the school administrator, Mrs Peace Akan Sebastian, commended the organiser for the awareness programme and assured that the school and its students would participate in activities that promote environmental sustainability and mitigate climate change.
Experts urge youths to stop activities that worsen climate change