NAN-H-13
Environment
By Yinusa Ishola
Omu-Aran (Kwara), Feb. 8, 2017 (NAN) An environmentalist, Mrs Taiwo Abejide, has identified indiscriminate felling of trees as one of the major impediments in the fight against environmental degradation and deforestation.
Abejide, working with the Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara, said that felling of trees deprived the forest of portions of its canopy that was a major component of environmental protection.
“This canopy is meant to block the sun rays during the day and hold in heat at night.
“This disruption leads to more extreme temperature swings that can be harmful to plants and animals,” she said.
Abejide said that trees were noted for playing critical role in absorbing the greenhouse gases that fuel global warming.
According to her, fewer forests mean larger amounts of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere.
She said that such development increased the speed and severity of global warming.
Abejide listed the growing urban sprawl, agricultural activities and logging for commercial purpose as factors responsible for the indiscriminate felling of trees.
She also highlighted the increase in the use of charcoal occasioned by rise in the prices of kerosene and gas, including the epileptic power supply, as another factor.
Abejide cited Kwara and Oyo as the two major charcoal-producing states in the country.
“Charcoal usage in Nigeria is becoming a big business, even for export, which long term impact can prove disastrous.
“Wood fuel means around a tenth of the world’s energy demand with its users overwhelmingly found in sub-Sahara Africa,” she said.
The environmentalist said that careful management of the forest resources would enable the environment to remain intact.
Abejide suggested an aggressive tree planting campaign by the three tiers of government to curb the menace of deforestation. (NAN)
ISHO/FLP/GOK
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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Olagoke Olatoye