Let us start with a story: a four-year-old once wandered into the busy road from the loose arms of his mother. His curiosity peaked, the loud sounds creating a memoriam of excitement. Ferdinand Magellan had nothing on him in comparison to his adventuring skills. A few moments later, his curiosity started winding down like a sharp descent off a cliff. His feet were stuck in what looked like a marriage between waste and mud, his asthma had kicked in due to long exposure to the CO2 from overworked machines.
Stuck behind a plastic dump that made for an unsightly appearance, he was unknown to the public around him. The last words on his lips as his tears like rivulets covered his vision were: “I need my mummy”. A few tears later, his mother pulled him into her embrace. Her maternal senses kicked in while flogging her with the guilt card. His whizzing sound overwhelmed her relief and she quickly administered his inhaler. Her worry became real fear when he had not stopped whizzing and the little crowd that had gathered around mirrored the same emotion.
Poor John was stuck, unable to move from the refuse dump he stumbled into and forced to inhale the gas that was tearing his lungs apart. If you would play the blame game, the longest finger is pointing to the mother. How about the person who decides the public space is a better dumping site or the person who believes that clean energy or recycling is still a myth or a ploy from the government to control “the good life”.
Here are some facts from The World Counts, that you should chew on firstly;
- Every year, we extract an estimated 55 billion tons of fossil energy, minerals, metals, and biomass from the Earth.
- The world has already lost 80% of its forests and we’re continually losing them at a rate of 375 km2 per day!
- At the current rate of deforestation, 5-10% of tropical forest species will become extinct every decade.
- Every hour, 1,692 acres of productive dry land become desert.
- 27% of our coral reefs have been destroyed. If the rate continues, the remaining 60% will be gone in 30 years.
The theme for World Environment Day 2022 is “Only One Earth”. Earth is the third planet from the sun, it is the most habitable and the most inhabited planet. This may not be so for long. Before you get into a defensive stance, look around you. Going green does not end at home, your office space is not left out. Here are some Eco-friendly tips in creating a green office space:
- Recycle Plastics. The average Nigerian consumes not less than 3-4 plastic materials a day, the further the math, the sadder the results. Currently, there are no stringent regulations on efficient methods of recycling like the use of a recycle bin or compost bin in organizations. The good news, there are Eco-friendly conservatives who are striving to make the earth a better place by partnering with organizations. You can now sell your plastics and biodegradable. Check out: Ecobarter and Chanja Datti.
- Energy-saving appliances: LED lights are a simple and less expensive way of consuming less energy. They are affordable, emit less heat, and consume 25% energy hence cheaper and green-friendly.
- Choose Green: Natural plants are good for detoxification of the environment. Carbon dioxide is a common chemical element emitted into the environment, plants absorb that and release clean oxygen. Clean air is not a myth.
- Organic cleaning products: There are many organic cleaning products that are as effective as synthetic ones. They are non-toxic and safer for the environment.
- Green decorations: Your workspace should be an extension of your values and morals. Create an eco-friendly environment with various recyclable materials. Shop from Ecobarter.
We have had a millennium of wrong decisions and ignorance, now let us have another millennium of right decisions and homely earth. The change does not begin with the government it begins with a conscious choice to preserve this #onlyoneearth.
