An environmental sustainability expert, Mr Gafar Odubote, has called for an increase in tree planting advocacy to curb the menace of climate change.
Odubote, the Network Coordinator of Let’s Do It World (LDIW) Africa region, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.
He said the drive and advocacy for tree planting had reduced, a situation which he said, was not helpful to climate change challenges.
According to him, there are still tree planting exercises ongoing but the advocacy has reduced in recent years.
“As the election year is fast approaching, advocacy for some environmental issues has been downplayed.
“We want the advocacy for tree planting to continue and be sustained as the climate change issues continue to affect almost everything.
“We want every household to engage in tree planting exercises; we cannot wait for the government alone to address the issues of climate change and deforestation,” the expert said.
Odubote also said the advocacy should go beyond tree planting and include preservation of already existing trees from damage or felling.
According to him, asides tree planting, people should also ensure the protection and preservation of trees to prevent their extinction.
“There is a whole lot put into the tree planting process not just the initial planting. Irrigation and protection of trees from indiscriminate felling must be followed through.
“When new trees are planted along street medians or expressways, in a month’s or three months’ time there will be no trace of the trees.
“It is either they have been crushed by vehicles, not well irrigated or no long term contract for preservation of these trees was negotiated.
“We must do more than tree planting,” Odubote said.
