World Environment Day: Okpebholo Advocates Environmentally Responsible Habits
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has called on residents to adopt environmentally responsible habits such as tree planting and proper waste management in their daily lives. He made the call in Benin on Friday during a symbolic tree planting to commemorate this year’s World Environment Day.
The World Environment Day is observed to deepen global awareness about the importance of trees to environmental health and safety. Represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, Okpebholo noted that this year’s theme, 'Urbanization and Climate Change,' is both timely and urgent. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to climate change resilience through tree planting.
The governor commended stakeholders in the environment sector and added: “Let us keep our surroundings clean, plant more trees, reduce waste, protect our waterways, conserve energy, and support policies that promote sustainable urban development. Protecting the environment is not the responsibility of the government alone; it is a shared duty that requires our collective action.”
Okpebholo described trees as essential to life, stating: “Trees are not just symbols of life, they are essential to life. They help purify the air, provide shade, reduce erosion, absorb carbon dioxide, support biodiversity, and improve the beauty of our communities. The theme for this year speaks directly to one of the greatest environmental and developmental challenges of our time. As our cities grow and urban populations increase, we must ensure that development does not come at the expense of the environment or the wellbeing of our people.”
He highlighted the effects of climate change: “We are all witnesses to the effects of climate change across the world. Rising global temperatures driven largely by greenhouse gas emissions that trap solar heat in the atmosphere are causing serious consequences. These include rising sea levels, wildfires, heat waves, and changing weather patterns. The warning from the global scientific community is clear: unless we act decisively, the world may soon exceed the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius warming, with devastating effects on ecosystems, livelihoods, and human survival.”
Okpebholo emphasized that World Environment Day is not merely ceremonial but a call to responsibility. He said, “It is a reminder that every level of government, every institution, every community, and every individual has a role to play in building a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.”
The state Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Nosa Adam, stated that the tree planting ceremony was a commitment by the government to the Green initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places relevance on tree regeneration and reforestation. “Today’s tree planting event is symbolic, important, and strategic as it falls under the United Nations directive for countries to rejuvenate their forests, turning cities into green cities based on the fact that the greener the city, the more your carbon credits. It shows the Edo state government’s commitment to turning the Benin metropolis into a greener and cleaner city.”
