Lecture delivered by Professor Adebisi Balogun, the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, Nigeria — a paper delivered to mark the 2006 Earth Day Celebration organized by CECD, held at Odimayo Hall, Irele LGA Secretariat, Ode Irele, Ondo State, Nigeria on 27th April, 2006.
It is a pleasure and indeed a great privilege for me to be invited to deliver this year's Earth Day Lecture. Permit me to quickly remind you that April 22 — Earth Day — is when we officially and collectively celebrate our beautiful planet by participating in activities that are good for the environment and for us as well. It is once-a-year reminder of all that we take for granted throughout the year, in the course of our busy lives. The theme of this year's lecture, "Reconciling Environmental Conservation with Economic Development for Solution to Climate Change" is quite comprehensive in that its context goes beyond the issue of climate change. To appreciate the context of this theme, it is germane to identify, define and describe the theme's key words. These key words include: environment, environmental conservation, economic development and climate change.
Environment has been defined as including everything living and non-living: air, water, land, animals and plants among others. The environment also involves the ways living and non-living objects interact as well as what results from such interactions. The environment and humanity are inseparable; this underscores the need for conservation of the environment. The objective of environmental conservation is to preserve plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on earth by protecting the lands, water and air they need to survive. Pollution is defined as the poisoning of the air, land and water surface. On the other hand, environmental degradation means the wearing down of the environment by various processes such as the action of water, wind, erosion or ice. By conservation of the environment we therefore mean the preservation and protection of environment against pollution and degradation.
Economic growth is defined as the expansion of wealth. Economic growth is a subset of development. While development is thinking about the growth and improvement of the people's environment and social well-being, economic growth considers only the economy of the people. Economic growth and sustainable development should therefore be seen as mutually compatible and not as independent components, because if viewed this way, there might be disaster.
Perhaps an understanding of the concept of sustainable development might illuminate the above assertion. The World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) defines sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". The central idea in this regard is that development can occur only if and when there is the recognition of the need to sustain and expand the environmental resource base. The associated corollary is that "economic growth, in and of itself, is insufficient for the purpose of development".
Scientists have established that the world is warming. Climatic zones are shifting and glaciers are melting. Some gases are able to hold heat in the lower atmosphere, thus allowing temperature to rise. This is described as greenhouse effect. These gases, also called greenhouse gases are: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxide and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The burning of coal and other carbon-based fuels such as oil and natural gas produces carbon dioxide; large scale clearing of temperate and tropical forests (that help regulate earth's temperature and weather patterns) adds additional carbon to the atmosphere.
From the above definitions and descriptions, one could conclude that the process of climate change is a direct product of man's action at creating wealth and ensuring suitable habitability. However, sustainability argument emphasizes the need to view economic growth and environmental protection as mutually compatible rather than conflicting objectives. It is in realization of the fact that solutions to most environmental problems lie in the adherence to this concept that the World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) calls for a reconsideration of future decision making based on a balanced attention to environment, development and society. WCED (1987) therefore opines that the achievement of not only the objectives of the concept of sustainable development but ensuring plausible solutions to most environmental problems hinges on the following principles of sustainable development:
The Federal Government of Nigeria has desired to single out the sources of gaseous emissions and maintain them at the level of full compliance using strategies that include: review of national guidelines and standards, intensification of public enlightenment campaigns, maintenance of effective databases on industries and their compliance status, introduction and enforcement of emission control certificates, elimination of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) consuming processes, enforcement of laws relating to the siting of new industries, and invoking the polluter-pays principle immediately.
The Federal Government's policy goal on the conservation of biodiversity is to ensure sustainable use of forest resources and preservation of the many benefits accruing from soil, water, and wildlife conservation for economic development. Among the current priority programmes are the extension of National Parks and Reserves and the compilation of the flora and fauna of Nigeria. The Nigerian Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) reviews the status of biodiversity conservation in Nigeria and develops strategies and action plans to bridge the gaps in the conservation effort.
Resulting from the government's efforts in biodiversity conservation: there are 32 game reserves/sanctuaries and six National Parks in place covering a total of about 4,293,800 ha; there are 12 strict Nature Reserves; and there are 13 proposed Game Reserves/National Parks covering about 372,000 ha. Uncontrolled logging and tree felling are the order of the day in many parts of the southern states of Nigeria, carrying with it loss of precious biological diversity. Nigeria's wildlife is rapidly declining due to habitat loss and increased pressure from hunters, poachers, and bush burning. Animals that have recently disappeared from Nigeria include the cheetah, the pygmy hippopotamus, the giraffe, the black rhinoceros, and the giant eland.
The world's major environmental problems impacting negatively on climate change include the destruction of forests, atmospheric pollution, loss of biodiversity and toxic wastes. To care for the earth and save the planet, certain values of man need to be changed. A cursory observation reveals that most environmental problems facing the earth could be avoided if the human race could shield itself from the following: selfishness, greed, ignorance, shortsighted viewpoint, and self-centered attitudes among countries.
What do you hope for the environment? What do you hope for the future of the planet? Man has the uncanny ability to destroy his own habitat. Every other living creature will only take what it requires, whereas man, driven by greed, will take as much as he can, no matter the cost. Every attempt to safeguard the future of this planet will fail, unless this mindset can be changed. A threat to environment, to some extent, is a threat to national or global security. The earth must be protected and our emphasis should be on sustainable development. Let us realize that if we do not put an end to environmental pollution, pollution may put an end to man. We deserve to live a healthy world; so do our children and our children's children.