Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — A community-based environmental advocacy group known as Lekeh Development Foundation, has urged young people to pay attention to the environment by planting more trees for environmental protection and sustainability.
Executive Director of the group, Mr. Friday Nbani, who made the call during an interactive section with youths and elderly people in Port Harcourt, said he was embarking on intergenerational campaign for climate action.
Nbani said the essence of the interaction, which was part of activities to mark the Valentine’s Day, was to promote and show love to the environment, as well as to enlighten people on the harmful effects of pollution on the environment.
He said, “We are an organisation that loves the environment and that’s why we’re using Valentine’s Day to promote the environment. The environment is the reason we humans are alive. The air, water, and the earth.
“Before now, people used to live over 100 years, but the reverse is the case now. The average life expectancy in the Niger Delta today is 41 years and this is due to a problem in the environment. These problems are from the oil and gas extractors. We must plant trees. If all of us can plant at least one tree per day.
“So that’s why we’re embarking on intergenerational action against climate change, planting more trees, and afforestation for a greener environment.”
Also, a guest speaker at the event, Dr Grace Awala, urged members of the society to adopt eco-friendly lifestyles as a wat of protecting the environment by planting more trees.
“As individuals, we must begin to look at a more sustainable way of doing things, and adopt eco-friendly lifestyles We can plant like 10 trees during our birthdays, our marriage anniversaries, or every special moment in our lives.”
For his part, a nonagenarian, Dennis Echichinwo, who was part of the event, said planting more trees would preserve the environment.