Experts advocate collaborative efforts to check effects of climate change
By Raphael Ekwe, Blessing Ituma
The Stakeholders who gathered at the Rivers State University to share thoughts on how to slow down the effects of Climate Change on the environment posited that all hands must be on deck in order to gradually reverse damage done to the environment.
As part of effort towards raising awareness on the need to tackle climate change, desertification and reclamation of land in commemoration of World Environmental day, Experts have said that the environment cannot be totally restored from the effect of climate change but that more can be done to reduce the damage done on the environment.
Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor Nlerum Okogbule while in his address noted that combined effort between government and the private sector was needed to safeguard the environment from abuse especially in the Niger Delta Region.
Representing the the Centre for Climate Change and Forest Resources of the Rivers State University, Professor Sodienye Abere noted that swift implementation of drastic measures was needed to tackle desertification, deforestation and high volume of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
On his part, the Special Adviser to Governor of Rivers State and Sole Administrator of the State Waste Management Authority, Mr Prince Ohia, called for more support from the public and the media towards effectively implementing government policies on protecting the environment.
The Chairman of Waste Management Society of Nigeria, Rivers State, Dr Williams Iyama restated that Land is a scarce resource and needs to be adequately protected.
The event held in Commemoration of World Environmental Day was a collaboration amongst The Centre for Climate Change and Forest Resources, Rivers state university, the Waste Management Society of Nigeria, the, United Nations Institute for Training and Research, the Rivers State Waste Management Agency and sanitation Marshalls.
