The Federal Government has announced plans to engage no fewer than 10,000 youths and retirees in the planting of six million trees across the country to mitigate the negative effects of climate change.
This was made known by the Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, in an exclusive interview with newsmen.
He explained that the programme is meant to create jobs for the unemployed and provide economic benefits to retired persons, while also addressing the pressing issue of environmental degradation.
Salako further said that the tree planting programme would be carried out in phases, with a focus on areas that have been affected by deforestation and desertification.
According to the World Health Organisation, climate change is impacting human lives and health in a variety of ways.
WHO noted that it threatens the essential ingredients of good health – clean air, safe drinking water, nutritious food supply, and safe shelter – and has the potential to undermine decades of progress in global health.
The global health body projected that between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea, and heat stress alone.
The global health organisation stressed that greenhouse gas emissions that result from the extraction and burning of fossil fuels are major contributors to both climate change and air pollution.
Speaking exclusively with newsmen, the minister said the government plans to plant not less than six million trees to help absorb greenhouse gases, improve air quality, and mitigate land degradation, flooding, and erosion in the country.
Salako stated that the programme would involve a wide range of tree species, including indigenous and exotic varieties suitable for Nigeria’s different ecological zones.
He added that the tree planting exercise would also promote agroforestry and promote bamboo as an alternative to trees.
The minister, however, called on all Nigerians to support the programme by planting trees in their homes and communities.
