A team of Bayelsa Climate Ambassadors have established a School Climate Club at the St. Agnes Catholic, Okutukutu, Bayelsa State,
The Climate Ambassadors also led the students of the school to plant trees for environmental sustainability.
Newsmen reports that Bayelsa Climate Ambassadors were trained by Connected Advocacy, an NGO with passion for environmental sustainability, development and renewal, with the support of Leap Africa and Nigeria Youth Future Funds.
During the workshop and sensitisation on climate change, the Executive Director of Connected Advocacy, Mr Israel Orekha, led the team of Bayelsa Climate Ambassadors to engage the students on climate action.
Orekha defined climate change as the long-term warming of the Earth due to human activities that releases Green House Gases (GHG) such as methane and carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
He listed deforestation, fossil fuel extraction, plastic production and pollution, and the burning of fossil fuels as major contributors to climate change.
Orekha pointed out the adverse effects of climate change, including loss of biodiversity, more frequent extreme weather events, water scarcity, and contamination of the food chain.
He emphasized the necessity of gradually shifting away from fossil fuels.
The climate expert highlighted the environmental, economic, and health challenges faced by Bayelsa State, urging the development of sustainable policies and local innovations.
Also speaking, Comrade Piyo Daniel Eniebulapagha, one of the Bayelsa Climate Ambassadors, underscored the importance of tree planting.
Eniebulapagha explained the symbiotic relationship between trees and humans and how deforestation has disrupted the balance.
He said that trees release oxygen, which animals and humans need to survive, and absorb carbon dioxide, which humans exhale.
He stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between the number of trees and the human population in a given area.
“Trees play significant role in regulating extreme weather events, conserving biodiversity, controlling erosion, and absorbing GHG gases,” Eniebulapagha said.
He warned that the world is heading towards a climatic disaster and urged everyone to act now to fight climate change.
One of the major highlights of the event is the tree planting exercise which involved the participants, including the proprietor, staff, and students of the school.
The climax of the event was the establishment of St. Agnes Catholic School Climate Club.
.The pioneer members of the club included two students, Okioji Oweyemi Daniel and Livinus Mary, and a staff member, Mr. Moses Perekebena.
The Bayelsa Climate Ambassadors assured them of continuous support, providing more training and resources for their projects.
Ambassador Oveh Timipre presented start-up packs to the school climate club, urging them to use the resources judiciously.
Rev. Fr. Francis Maso Mani, the school’s Proprietor, expressed gratitude for being part of the tree planting project and assured the team of his full support and cooperation.
A the end of the event, participants unanimously agreed on the following:
“Climate change is a pressing issue that requires collective action.
“Tree planting is a crucial strategy for mitigating climate change.
“Young people have a critical role in promoting sustainability and climate actions.
For further information, please contact:
Connected Advocacy
Phone: +2348064871447
Email: connectedadvocacy01@gmail.com
