At the 2024 World Environment Day conference hosted by Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos State, scholars emphasized the critical roles governments and businesses play in reversing environmental damage.
The event, themed ‘Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resistance,’ brought together experts to discuss strategies for combating these pressing issues.
Vice-Chancellor of Trinity University, Prof. Clement Kolawole, in his opening remarks, stressed the urgent need to address climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable land practices. He highlighted the university’s commitment to finding solutions through research, education, and community engagement.
Delivering the keynote speech, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Research) at the University of Lagos, Prof. Bolanle Oboh, pointed out the significant impact of human activities on global warming and climate change. She noted the severe consequences such as food insecurity, flooding, pest invasion, biodiversity loss, famine, decreased mortality, ecosystem damage, and soil erosion.
Oluseun Popoola of Yaba College of Technology and Chairman of the Chemical Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, described desertification and land degradation as critical issues caused by climatic changes and human activities. She called for collaboration among governments, academia, industry, communities, and civil society to address these challenges effectively.
Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, provided a stark overview of the global situation, noting that over two billion hectares of land are degraded, affecting more than three billion people. He urged governments to invest in sustainable cities, restore natural environments, reduce emissions, and practice sustainable agriculture.
