As part of his new year resolutions to promote “sustainability and living in harmony with nature”, the Minister of State for the Environment, Iziaq Salako, has stated that “In 2024, my personal automobiles will become CNG-powered to lessen the greenhouse gas emission from them.”
In a statement made available to Nigerian Tribune, the minister also stated nine other new year resolutions for a greener environment.
He stated that the effect of human activity on the environment is the greatest driver of the three planetary crises of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
Therefore, “making personalised purposeful intentions that can be translated into positive climate actions in the form of green resolutions should become a compulsory, civic obligation of all human beings: young and old.”
Some of his new year resolutions include plans to “consciously look out to patronise green stores and recycled items, thus increasing reuse, upscaling recycling, reducing waste and promoting circularity,” and to “personally plant and nurture at least 50 trees in 2024 and encourage my immediate family to do same.”
Salako also promised that, “In my office and home, I will generate less pet waste by using water dispensers and water bottles: Single use plastics like PET bottles are probably the most negatively impactful human consumption packaging material. Their production releases a high volume of greenhouse gases, which causes climate change. Being non biodegradable, they persist in the environment for centuries, harming the ecosystem, poisoning animals, and degrading human health.
“In my home, I will only use renewable energy as my alternative to the public energy supply. The current dominant practice of generating electricity and heat by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, or gas releases a lot of greenhouse gases, which causes global warming and climate change. Renewable alternatives from solar, wind, water, and other sources are our solution to significantly cutting down greenhouse gases from electricity generation.
“I will be less disruptive to nature in any personal construction I undertake: When we disobey the laws of nature, sooner or later, we will face the adverse consequences. Respecting wetlands, waterways, preserving vegetation as much as possible, reducing the practice of paving, properly channelling drains, and such measures are critical to preventing climate adversities like flooding and erosion.”
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