Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria has urged all to take deliberate actions in making the planet earth livable and healthier. SCI Nigeria made the call as part of activities to mark the 2022 World Environment Day with the theme #OnlyOneEarth.
Save the Children, a leading child rights organization headquartered in the UK, also urged all to spare time to reflect on their habits, culture and behavior towards planet Earth.
Amanuel Mamo, Director of Advocacy, Campaigns, Communication and Media, Save the Children International, Nigeria noted that one of the huge threats to the environment is climate change. Climate change is a threat to the rights of children, girls, women, and particularly those living with disabilities.
He added that available data has shown that every three seconds, the world loses enough forest to cover a football pit, and over the last century, we have destroyed half of our wetlands.
“For too long, we have been exploiting and destroying our planet’s ecosystems. SCI Nigeria recognizes the growing negative impacts of environmental degradation on children, the most deprived and marginalized people, thus reducing opportunities for children to survive, learn and be protected.
“We recognize that we do have a shared responsibility to the environment beyond legal and regulatory requirements hence, we are committed to making our office operations environment-friendly by taking additional measures that seek to reduce our carbon footprint such as use of solar power, automation of processes to reduce use of paper while at the same time inculcating a culture of responsible behavior among staff.
“It is a grave threat to children and their rights. Child rights might not even survive a global climate catastrophe. We have created a huge environmental debt for our children and future generations. Children have contributed the least to the climate crisis, and yet we know that they are paying the highest price. Hence, Save the Children recognizes the legitimacy and power of the voice and leadership of children in the climate movement. SCI Nigeria works towards a child-led campaign to promote environmental protection,” Mamo said.
As part of actions in contributing to the environment, Save the Children said it is committed to limiting the environmental impact of our work through both individual and collective efforts.
The group urged all to “change our ways of working, we will continue to play our part in reducing the resources we consume to help mitigate climate change and its adverse impact on children and their communities”.
Save the Children International added that it will support and promote climate smart agriculture, natural resource management, early warning systems, desertification control as well as environmental conservation – including trainings on renewable energy technologies, entrepreneurship and tree planting.
Save the Children also called upon families, communities, and local, state, and national governments to join hands in bringing positive change to make planet earth a much healthier, greener, and happier place to live in, in a bid to achieve sustainable development goals.
