CEHRD Calls For Actions To Protect The Environment, Save The Earth

As the World Celebrates the 2024 World Environment Day with the theme “Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience”, the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) joins the world in advocating for an end to Land degradation, desertification and drought which are critical issues that pose significant problem to global sustainability, global ecosystem, human livelihood, sustainable development and environment health. In a press statement signed by DR TAMMY ALOMA COOKEY, HEAD of the Environment and Conservation Unit of the organization, CEHRD also enjoins environmental fights crusaders to unite and step up actions aimed at ending human activities such as oil mining, gas flaring, pollution which lead to land degradation and destruction of the ecosystem.
“We recognize the devastating impacts of oil mining activities on the environment, which have continued to manifest in form of flooding, soil degradation, excessive heat and pollution-related ailments and deaths among others. There is urgent need for concerted efforts to be made towards protection of the environment, said Dr Nabie Nubari, the Coordinator of CEHRD.” He said all stakeholders should work together to address environmental challenges that are posing a big threat to the survival of the earth
The theme for this year’s celebration underscores the urgent need to address the degradation of our ecosystems and build resilience against the growing challenges of desertification and drought. Land degradation is a critical issue affecting millions of people worldwide. It leads to loss of biodiversity, reduced agricultural productivity, and heightened vulnerability to climate change impacts. Desertification on the other hand, threatens the livelihood of over a billion people who depend on land for their sustenance and its mitigation requires a multifaceted approach, including Sustainable land management, Policy Intervention and Community engagement.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought (UNCCD) has emphasized the importance of having economically, socially, and resilient ecosystems. Two billion people worldwide depend on them, and the role functional and resilient ecosystems plays in human well-being. In Nigeria the issue of Desertification and drought which is induced by Climate Change are undermining livelihood Sustainability is alarming; out of 909.890km2 of the Country’s land mass area, about 580, 841km2 accounting for 63.83% of total land is impinged upon by desertification.
“The world environment day commemoration is a clarion call for all stakeholders, including governments at all levels, and corporate bodies to rise up in defense and protection of the ecosystem. All must unite to safeguard the mother earth and ensure sustainable environment”, Said Styvn Obodoekwe, Director of Programs at CEHRD.