By Chibuzo Ihegboro
Climate change’s looming dangers are now staring us in the face. With the recent increase in environmental issues such as droughts, flooding, deforestation, desert encroachment, global warming, acid rain, heat waves, ozone layer depletion, and many others affecting every human, animal, and nation, it is clear that our mother Earth is sitting on a keg of gun powder.
And with this rising concerns, it has become critical to think and act fast to save our planet from the harmful effects that cause environmental degradation.
It was on against this backdrop that Rotary Club of Lekki Phase One, partnered with socio-environmental group, Reggae Republic, to led the charge in preserving our environment, by embarking on a large-scale tree planting exercise in Lagos. These trees as they grow would help our ecosystem, fertilize the soil, and supply timber. They also provide shelter for many animals, birds and insects.
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The exercise which took place at Greensprings Anthos House School in Jakande axis of Lekki, saw the groups planting scores of growing tree seedlings at a large expanse of land within the school premises.
Speaking on the concept behind their tree planting exercise, Yetunde Dimowo, leader of the Rotary Club Lekki Phase One, said it was to affirm their mission to preserve the ecosystem. She disclosed that the club has carried out a several tree planting projects since the inception.
“For the past 15 years of our service to humanity as a club, we have carried out several tree planting projects. The most recent ones were in Arcadia Grove Estate, Osapa London in 2020 and at the Oral Estate, Ikota in 2021, but this is the first time we will be collaborating with another organization on a tree planting project and I believe it’s going to be worth it”, she said.
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Dimowo stated that their partnership with Reggae Republic was forged to in the quest to preserve the environment and rescue our ecosystem from pollution. “It has been our parallel initiative to contribute our quota towards the preservation of our ecosystem through planting of trees, that is why when Reggae Republic approached us for this collaboration, we willingly keyed into it. It gives me great joy to see organisations of people with like minds and passion.
“Planting trees can help to restore important ecosystem services in our environment. It supplies humans and animals with food, water, energy, and raw building materials. When water, soil, and air quality are improved, environmental risks and impacts are reduced.
“Not only do trees produce oxygen but they also absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases”, she added.
In the same vein, Reggae Republic Project Coordinator, Washington Uba also said delight at their common drive to protect the environment. He expressed optimism that the annual planting tree planting exercise can help save the Earth from deforestation and Climate change.
He said, “Tree planting symboliSes hope and the continuity of life, the journey of planting one Million trees begins with one and we want to encourage our young ones to start planting trees. Trees provide enormous benefits to our everyday lives. They filter the air, provide fresh drinking water, help curb climate change, and create homes for thousands of species of plants and animals”.
