Writing By Shindong Bala; Editing By Godwin Duru
A non-governmental organisation, Bridge That Gap has trained journalists in Kaduna on effective reporting of environmental and climate change issues as part of efforts to support government initiatives aimed at tackling environmental challenges.
Speaking during a Climate Justice Media Roundtable organised by the group, the Executive Director of the organisation, Gloria Kasang Bulus, said many of the natural disasters currently affecting communities across the world could be reduced through proper sensitization and precautionary human actions.
She identified bush burning, indiscriminate felling of trees, poor sewage disposal and inadequate drainage systems as some of the major human activities contributing to climate related disasters and environmental degradation.
According to her, the quarterly media roundtable was designed to explore global Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), examine their relevance to Kaduna State and strengthen policies capable of promoting environmental sustainability and climate justice.
Mrs. Bulus noted that climate change had become a reality that could no longer be ignored, stressing that even individuals and groups who previously doubted its existence were now actively championing climate-related campaigns because of the visible impact being experienced globally.
She described the media as one of the most important institutions capable of changing public attitudes towards environmental protection, adding that the disappearance of many animal and insect species was largely linked to the destruction of natural habitats and indiscriminate exploitation of trees and forests.
In a presentation at the event, Mr. Zinta Istifanus urged Nigerians to take greater responsibility for protecting and sustaining the environment.
He said the country has the capacity to finance adaptation and resilience programmes locally, while also emphasizing that government policies could either help reduce or worsen the effects of climate change depending on how they are implemented.
Cov/Shindong Bala
