Stakeholders urge tree planting to mitigate climate change crisis

Bayelsa to get Forestry Law – Diri’s aide

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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

Stakeholders in the environmental sector have recommended tree planting as one of the nature-based solutions to help humans reduce the impacts of climate change and build better communities.

They stated this at a One-Day Workshop on the Tree Planting Project organized by the Department of Environmental Management, Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State.

The workshop with the theme ‘Tree Planting for Carbon Offsetting: Nexus for Climate Resilience’ was organised in collaboration with the Institute of Niger Delta Studies, Nigeria Environmental Society, ECARD, and HOMEF.

The Director, Bio-Resources Development Centre, Odi, Dr. Timi Wood, who delivered the keynote address, said climate change, driven by increased greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, industrialization, and urban expansion, as well as fossil fuel combustion and oil pollution, presents one of the pressing challenges of the 21st Century.

He noted that with consequences such as persistent flooding, sea level rise, desertification, loss of biodiversity, and extreme weather conditions, there was a need to strengthen national afforestation programmes, promote mangrove restoration in the Niger Delta, and establish carbon credit frameworks to address the situation.

‘’ Key planting must move from a ceremonial event to a long-term ecosystem restoration programme. We embrace nature-based climate solutions, and every stakeholder has a role. If we plant trees today, we are investing in climate stability for future generations.

‘’Tree planning is not just environmental; it is economic and social. It improves livelihood and protects the community. It is a powerful tool for climate resilience. The time to act is now. ‘’

Vice Chancellor, Niger Delta University, Professor Allen Agih, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Professor Jonah Akekere, while declaring the workshop open, said tree planting would benefit future generations.

The Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Professor Sylvester Ebigbagha, and the Head of Department, Dr. Meshack Ojile, emphasized that tree planting plays a major role in carbon offsetting alongside several nutritional, medicinal, economic, and ecological values.

The Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa Governor on Environment, Chief Alagoa Morris, reiterated the state government’s commitment to tackling indiscriminate logging and felling of trees through a legal framework.

‘’ The governor of Bayelsa State is a very environmentally conscious person. Right from when he was in the House of Representatives, he has been relating to us on environmental issues. After he became governor, on World Forestry Day, he directed the relevant ministries to develop comprehensive forestry laws. Although the Bill is delayed, it was taken for public hearing last year, and we are waiting for the Law to come into force. The government is very serious about the indiscriminate falling of trees.’’

The high point of the programme was the planting of trees at the Botanical Gardens of the Niger Delta University.