Saving Our Environment

Our environment can make our lives better if we take care of it

Each time we talk of the lack of care for our environment, one culprit quickly comes to mind – the government. Here in Nigeria, it is the government that issues petroleum exploration licenses to multinational oil companies without proper environmental impact assessments and clean-up mechanisms in place; it is the government that promulgates public health laws but fails to enforce basic environmental sanitation regulations; and it is the government that oversees domestic and industrial waste management with waste pits and incinerators cited near residential areas. And with the current government cancelling the decade-old monthly sanitation exercise, who else would come to mind?

In reality, however, the bulk of the blame lies with us. It is our utter disregard for the environment and our bad living habits, more than the inefficiency of Environmental Health Officers, that are responsible for the increase of greenhouse gases, depletion of the ozone layer, global warming, urban heat island, acid precipitation, and the emergence and spread of communicable diseases in our communities.

The biggest environmental threat to our health and well-being as a people is us. The individual choices we make help protect or, as is often the case, harm the environment.

It is pertinent, at this time, for us to remind ourselves that every little step counts. We must do all in our power to reduce, reuse and recycle our waste as well as promote the planting and protection of trees. We must try to decrease our energy and water consumption, change our eating and transportation habits in order to conserve natural resources, and adapt our homes to be more environmentally friendly. Here are some quick suggestions to help preserve our environment.

When you want to paint your house, make sure to use latex paints. Oil paints emit harmful gases and can spark off problems with the lungs. In addition, make it a duty to service your car periodically as a well maintained car would get better fuel mileage and emit fewer pollutants. Again, if it’s possible, park the car and ride in a BRT to work as often as you can. Emission from vehicle traffic is a major contributor to smog in most urban cities.

Do not throw hazardous materials into the trashcan. Keep paint cans, insecticide, car batteries, waste oil and similar materials in a separate basket. In any case, don’t burn your household waste as it releases contaminants that can worsen allergies and cause respiratory problems.

If you own the house in which you live, plant a tree in your compound. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen, and they also improve area water quality and help make the ground more fertile for other plants. Moreover, if you plant a fruit tree, in no time you’ll have plenty of juicy fruits to enjoy.

Paper is made from felled trees. Reduce your paper usage by printing double-sided copies and using minimal toilet papers at home. Also, you can lower your consumption of water by turning off the tap while you brush your teeth and running your dishwasher only when it is completely full.

Furthermore, you can join an environmental organization or volunteer your skills at any local initiative to pick up litter, create public awareness, fix bikes, plant trees, or observe animals. Only when we’ve done these things can we justifiably question our government’s environmental policies and laws, and expect to have sympathizers.