As Lagos State Government joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 2019 International Day for the Preservation of Ozone Layer, Lagos State Government has canvassed environmental-friendly attitudes on the part of the citizenry, saying that the fight against abuse of the environment must be jointly pursued by both the government and residents of the State.
Speaking at the commemoration of the Day at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikaja, the Commissioner for The Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello opined that embracing the culture of proper disposal of waste, appropriate waste sorting, regular tree planting, mass transit (pool driving), are some of the ways of mitigating the effect of climate change.
He maintained that contrary to the general belief that flooding in some areas across the State was the resultant effect of blocked drainage channels, The Commissioner reiterated that there were several other factors like rise in the sea level, ozone layer that greatly contributes to flooding incidents.
The Commissioner who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Aderonke Belinda Odeneye disclosed that the theme for the 2019 edition of the annual celebration; “32 Years and Healing” celebrates over three decades of remarkable international cooperation to protect the ozone layer and the climate under the Montreal Protocol, adding that the State’s Environmental Policy is in alignment with global efforts towards preserving the ozone layer.
“The Ozone Layer acts as an invisible shield that deflects harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, thus protecting us from the UV radiation, which causes sunburn; and in long-term exposure can severely damage most animals, plants and microbes”, he averted.
The Commissioner added that, the Ozone is not just a layer, but the protector of all life on earth hence the need for everyone to wholeheartedly support the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol which stresses the replacements of the Ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) by Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
“Ozone layer protection efforts have also contributed to the fight against climate change by averting an estimated 135 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, from 1990 to 2010. And by combining action to phase-down HFCs with energy efficiency improvements in the cooling industry, we can achieve bigger climate benefits”, Bello affirmed.
Speaking further, the Commissioner said as we celebrate our success on this World Ozone Day, people must all push to keep hold of these gains by tackling any illegal sources of ozone-depleting substances as scientists and researchers find new solutions and create earth-friendly products. He imploring the citizens to support government’s drive towards improving the ecosystem.
Earlier in a welcome address, the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, stated that the Annual International Ozone day for the preservation of the ozone layer is in accordance with the United Nation development program mandate and protocol, of which Nigeria is a signatory.
She said the theme was strategically chosen to address the success story of collaboration, compliancy and above all collective efforts of all in the battle to safeguard our earth and make it a safety zone devoid of environmental degradation, draught, global warming, pollution, flooding and other challenges.
According to her, the event is an evidence of how seriously the State Government is taking the problems confronting the global environment, adding that the greenhouse effect, the consequences of destruction of forests, pollution of all forms, climate change and ozone layer depletion-are all problems that must be jointly fought and won.
“The Ozone is a fragile shield of gas that acts as a protective layer which protects the earth from various hazardous gases and also from Ultraviolet rays that are very harmful and dangerous to both the living and non-living things. Therefore, we must be part of the global team in achieving a sustainable environment”, she disclosed.
Speaking further, the General Manager submitted that the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is one of the most successful and effective environmental treaties ever negotiated and implemented which ban the global production and use of ozone-damaging chemicals including CFCs, HCFCs and halons.
She affirmed that the gradual phasing out of controlled uses of ozone-depleting substances has not only helped protect the ozone layer, but has also contributed significantly to global efforts to address climate change.
Dr. Fasawe declared that in realization of a better ecosystem, the Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and all its progressive partners has joined the global phasing out of ozone-depleting substances in the State through strategic advocacy with formal and informal sector on the need to preserve nature in line with environmental guidelines.
She said, the focus is to create more awareness and collectively work together to achieve the global goal of preventing further depletion of the ozone layer and create a planet earth habitable for man and nature.
Mr Ola Akanbi, Eugene Itua and Henry Bassey in their respective presentations recalled the effects of global warming on oceans, human and weather and therefore called for Collective efforts such as technical professionalism, introduction of gas trapping machine, introduction of best refrigerant and continues technical training for competency amongst others.