Funmi Ogundare
Environmental activist and Chairman of the Lekki State Urban Forest and Animal Shelter Initiative (LUFASI), Dr. Desmond Majekodunmi, Tuesday warned that rising sea ranges and the rising results of local weather change might threaten components of Lagos by 2050, urging Nigerians to embrace sustainable environmental practices to avert an ecological disaster.
He acknowledged that continued greenhouse fuel emissions, deforestation, air pollution and the destruction of biodiversity had been worsening the local weather disaster and placing communities in danger.
Majekodunmi made this identified on the three-day worldwide convention of Society for Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation (SETPOM), themed: ‘Driving Environmental Security, Innovation, and Resilience through AI, Research, Industry, and Regulation for Global Livelihoods,’ held on the University of Lagos.
He pressured the necessity for pressing collective motion to guard the setting, warning that prioritising revenue over folks and the planet might have devastating penalties for future generations.
According to him, “The earth remains uniquely habitable because of its atmosphere, but human activities are increasingly threatening the natural systems that sustain life.”
He recognized industrial actions, fossil gasoline consumption, mining, deforestation, agricultural practices, waste disposal and transportation among the many main contributors to environmental degradation and world warming.
Majekodunmi defined that rising world temperatures had been intensifying the water cycle, contributing to heavier rainfall, flooding and different excessive climate occasions.
He cited the consequences of coastal erosion and rising sea ranges as specific considerations for Lagos, a coastal metropolis weak to the results of local weather change.
He warned that continued emissions might worsen the scenario, with probably devastating implications for communities, infrastructure and establishments, together with the University of Lagos.
The environmentalist referred to as for higher public consciousness and stronger dedication to sustainable improvement, saying: “Individuals, institutions, industries and governments must take responsibility for protecting the environment.”
He, nevertheless, expressed optimism that the local weather disaster might be addressed by means of the adoption of renewable power, improved waste administration, recycling, scientific analysis, technological innovation and efficient environmental regulation.
He recognized photo voltaic, wind and water-based power as potential sources of cleaner energy, stressing that sustainable options had been out there however required stronger dedication and funding.
Speaking with journalists, the President of the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation (SETPOM), Dr. Idowu Aneyo, acknowledged that Nigerians should embrace behavioural change and leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to guard the ecosystem and promote environmental sustainability.
Aneyo, a lecturer within the Department of Zoology on the University of Lagos (UNILAG), stated though rules had been in place, significantly in Lagos State, efficient environmental safety required higher public cooperation and a deliberate dedication to sustainable practices.
She counseled the state authorities for its efforts in implementing environmental rules, noting that the foremost problem was getting folks to just accept and adapt to the modifications wanted to guard the setting.
“There are regulations, especially in Lagos State. I want to say that the Lagos State Government is really trying to enforce them. It is just we humans that need to accept this change,” she stated.
According to her, behavioural change stays tough for many individuals, however people have to be intentional about defending the ecosystem.
She pressured the necessity for Nigerians to take private duty for environmental preservation, including that efficient regulation have to be complemented by public consciousness and a willingness to undertake environmentally accountable practices.
Aneyo additionally emphasised the potential of AI and machine studying in addressing environmental challenges, noting that the applied sciences might assist predict environmental dangers, management injury and help sustainable ecosystem administration.
“In the era of artificial intelligence, there is a lot that it can actually help to do. We need to use machine learning and AI to predict and also control some damage, and bring about sustainability of the ecosystem,” she acknowledged.
The convention witnessed a debate competitors amongst secondary faculty college students, titled, ‘Harnessing Innovation and Artificial Intelligence for Environmental Sustainability Investments’.
It produced winners within the junior and senior classes who had been rewarded with money items and certificates.
