“How to keep the environment clean” as a topic is nothing short of a necessity.
It is common knowledge that unclean and filthy surroundings can breed disease-causing microorganisms galore. However, we all seemed to have learned to turn deaf ears to anyone who mentions cleanliness out of sheer hopelessness.
A wise man once said, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
To keep your surroundings clean, here are a few more reasons why you need to keep more than just dustbins to ensure proper cleanliness:
To Increase the Aesthetic Value
A clean and tidy environment is bound to look better than a filthy, smelly one with unbearably unhygienic conditions. An environment that is clean is bound to be aesthetically pleasing to look at as well.
To Address Health Concerns
If a place has flies, filth and foul stinks, can diseases be far behind? Any area with lack of proper waste disposal facility is going to harbour germs, bacteria and microorganisms that do anything but good to the human inhabitants.
To Kill Mosquitoes
Untended garbage can consist of decaying pots and discarded tyres. The garbage often gets stacked to such an extent as to form heaps that can cause water to stagnate. Stagnant water is the breeding ground for mosquitoes. Diseases like dengue and malaria might be commonplace in neighbourhoods with un-disposed garbage.
To Better Livelihood
A cleaner city can mean improved livelihood. Tourists, especially foreigners, have a strong inclination for cleaner and hygienic destinations. Keeping your city clean can mean more tourists and better standards of living for the locals.
To Breather Pure Air
Ever passed a garbage dump and stopped inhaling altogether for the duration just to avoid breathing in the witheringly obnoxious odour? You don’t need to do that anymore! All you need to do is keep your city clean!
To Enhance the Appeal of Your City
A cleaner place will not only attract tourists but also attract big-shot companies, corporate giants and multinationals and create more job opportunities in your area! Why move the cities to look for jobs when you can stay and work in your own?!
To Preserve Nature
Preserving Mother Nature is the need of the hour. The first step to working to working towards it is to keep the city you live in as clean and tidy as possible. It is your obligation as to be a socially responsible citizen.
Besides using dustbins to segregate recyclable waste from the non-recyclable one, you ought to stop littering around and ensure that the garbage dumps are emptied timely and disposed in the right manner.
Ever heard of the Ozone layer and how we constantly contribute to its depletion?
The first time I learned about the Ozone layer, I was in elementary class and I found it interesting. I remember talking to my dad and siblings about it then. Now, let me explain what it means and how we deplete it every day.
The ozone layer is a region of Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation. It contains a high concentration of ozone (O3). Don’t get this wrong, the sun’s radiation is essential to humans, animals, and plants’ survival but too much of it is harmful. So basically, what the OL does is absorb a type of radiation called ultraviolet radiation, or UV light, which can penetrate organisms’ protective layers, like skin, damaging DNA molecules in plants and animals.
I’m sure you understand why the ozone layer should be protected at all cost. Unfortunately, it is getting thinner and thinner every day because of a chemical known as Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC). A chlorofluorocarbon is a molecule that contains carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. CFCs are everywhere, mostly in styrofoam and plastic products. Businesses and consumers use them because they’re inexpensive, they don’t catch fire easily, and they don’t usually poison living things. But the CFCs start eating away at the ozone layer once they get blown into the stratosphere.
Before you burn any plastic or styrofoam, bear in mind that you are contributing to the destruction of the one thing that cannot be repaired. So, instead of burning them, recycle them.
Flooding in Nigeria is one of the major natural disasters we experience. It is the accumulation of water over dry land. Usually, the major contributing factors are the overflow of inland waters (like rivers and streams) or tidal waters. The unusual accumulation of water from sources such as heavy rains or dams are also responsible.
TYPES OF FLOOD
Typically, there are 3 common types of floods. The first is flash floods, which is caused by steady and excessive rainfall that raises water heights gradually. Secondly, river floods. These are caused when consistent rain forces a river to exceed its capacity. Lastly, there are coastal floods which are caused by storm surges associated with tropical cyclones and tsunamis.
WHY NIGERIA EXPERIENCE FLOODING
According to The Director-General of The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Engr. Nze Clement Onyeaso, “Nigeria is located within the River Niger Basin. The basin is occupied by nine countries with Nigeria located at the lowest position. This means that once the upper catchment of the Basin gets flooded, Nigeria should be prepared to experience flooding. The period of flooding in these upstream countries is August and September of every year.”
But, aside from the natural causes of flooding, some of the causes of flooding in Nigeria are man-made. In a city like Lagos, contractors dig out sand from the coastline to build houses in areas like Lekki and Banana Island, thereby leaving the coastline at risk.
As it turns out, the several states that experience flooding in Nigeria have fewer or mismanaged drainage systems. Some drainage systems have been filled with waste or sand caused by erosion.
So in order to curb flooding in Nigeria, the Nigerian government and its citizens are expected to get their hands on deck. Everyone has a role to play – from ensuring that town planners and officials do their jobs to ensure that houses are built in the right landmarks. drainage systems should be well built. Also, waste must be disposed of properly, with citizens clearing drainages and canals, removing refuse, weeds, and flotsam on water channels to avoid blockage.
The next few years will be important in the development of Nigeria and Carbon Credit.
Due to the increased number of large industries, combustible fossil fuels such as coal, power plant gas, oil, vehicles in Nigeria, the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases has become alarming.
Carbon dioxide is a harmful gas to humans but essential to plants. It can linger in the atmosphere for a thousand years. An increase in the amount of carbon dioxide creates an overabundance of greenhouse gases that trap additional heat. This trapped heat leads to melting ice caps and rising ocean levels.
In other to reduce the rate of harmful effects of these gases, the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 and the Paris Agreement of 2015 laid out international CO2 emissions goals. With the latter ratified by all but six countries, they have given rise to national emissions targets and the regulations to back them.
With these new regulations in force, the pressure on businesses to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint is growing. Most of today’s solutions involve the use of the carbon markets.
The carbon market has successfully turned CO2 emissions into a commodity by giving it a price. These emissions fall into one of two categories: Carbon credits or carbon offsets, and they can both be bought and sold on a carbon market.
A carbon credit is a permit that allows the company that holds it to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. One credit permits the emission of a mass equal to one ton of carbon dioxide. It’s aimed at reducing the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Carbon offset on the other hand is a certificate representing the reduction of one ton of carbon dioxide emissions. It is a way of balancing the scales of pollution. Offset schemes have been used successfully in the past to solve other environmental problems.
According to Bala Wunti, managing director of NAPIMS ( National Petroleum Investment Management Services), Nigeria has earned about €1 million from cutting carbon emission in its oil and gas production in joint projects between TotalEnergies and the NNPC subsidiary, the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS).
In May 2021, Total announced an ambition to get to net-zero emissions by 2050 together with society for its global business across its production and energy products used by its customers.
Through a joint statement developed between Total S.A. and institutional investors – as participants in the global investor initiative Climate 100+1 – Total said it would take 3 major steps towards achieving this ambition.
These include Zero across Total’s worldwide operations by 2050 or sooner, Net Zero across all its production and energy products used by its customers in Europe by 2050 or sooner, 60 percent or more reduction in the average carbon intensity of energy products used worldwide by Total customers by 2050 with intermediate steps of 15 percent by 2030 and 35 percent by 2040.
Since Total and NNPC has taken the first step in Nigeria, it will be good for other top organizations in Nigeria to follow suit. With this development, it is hoped that the reduction of CO2 in Nigeria will be swift.
Have you ever wondered why ventilation is essential?
Ventilation is the provision and circulation of fresh air across a room. It is a process that either supplies air into space or removes air from space by natural or mechanical means.
Considering that our lives depend on the intake of air. The quality of the air we inhale in our homes and offices should be closely observed. Although this isn’t the most pressing issue in society, it still plays a vital role in our health, comfort, and productivity.
Ventilation at home and our offices are important to keep the house/office and its occupants healthy and comfortable. It is necessary we learn about the importance of ventilation.
Everyone knows that air is essential to life, but not everyone understands that breathing polluted air is almost as bad as not breathing air at all, as polluted air slowly poisons the whole system.
Here are some reasons why ventilation is essential
It eliminates condensations that damage the home and office.
It makes the environment healthier.
A room without proper ventilation breeds dust mites. These dust mites and their airborne detritus thrive in homes that are not effectively ventilated.
When their detritus encounters the skin or is inhaled, it can cause allergic reactions, resulting in asthma attacks, eczema, watering eyes, itching, sneezing, and a runny nose.
VOCs are invisible gases, they originate from a wide range of sources including cosmetics, air fresheners, etc.
To reduce this gas, it is important to install an effective ventilation system that will constantly introduce clean, fresh air from the outside to dilute and control VOCs in the home.
It reduces the effect of Radon gas. Radon gas is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas, which is formed by the decay of small amounts of uranium that occur naturally in all rocks and soils. It produces another radioactive element called Radon’s Daughters, which can attach themselves to dust particles in the air and, if inhaled, they will stick to the airways of the lung.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has linked Radon exposure to between 3 and 14 percent of all lung cancer cases. In a Radon-affected area, it is necessary to install a Positive Input Ventilation system in the homes and offices to help to reduce Radon to safe levels, thereby reducing the risks to your health.
In conclusion, ventilation has a huge positive impact on our health and well-being. Indoor air pollution coupled with bad ventilation can lead to a number of health problems including headaches, allergies, asthma, rashes, and sinusitis. However, this can be avoided with the installation of a good ventilation system.
A Green bond is a type of fixed income instrument. Governments, banks, municipalities, and corporations use green bonds to raise money for new or existing climate and environmental projects. They are aimed at encouraging sustainability and supporting climate and the environment.
Recently, the Lagos State Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Financial Market Dealers Quotations and Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSD Africa) to raise funds for the Lagos Green Bond Market Development Programme. The government hopes to use the bond to address climate change and environmental challenges in the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu
Earlier, Governor Sanwo-Olu lamented that climate change is expected to hit developing countries the hardest. Unfortunately, low-lying states such as Lagos are expected to fare the worst.
Despite the devastating effects, the governor noted that investors increasingly viewed climate change as a gateway to new business opportunities. Investors now have an opening to profitably protect the planet – Green Bonds.
Typically, green bonds are commonly used to finance projects like energy efficiency projects, renewable energy projects, and pollution prevention. Other considerations include Clean Transportation projects, wastewater, and water management projects. Also, green bonds offer tax incentives, such as tax exemptions and tax credits, in order to attract investors to the projects.
As such, the government expects to raise between N25billion and N100billion from the bond issue. This is according to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Mrs. Solape Hammond.
Accordingly, the Chief Executive of FMDQ Group, Bola Onadele-Koko, noted that the project is in line with the Governor’s THEMES agenda. The agenda hopes to achieve the SDGs as highlighted by the United Nations, which includes job creation, economic growth, etc.
Interestingly, the project will tackle goals 6 – clean water and sanitation, 7 – Affordable and clean energy, 8 – Decent and economic growth. More specifically, however, the bond will directly impact goal 13 – climate action of the SDGs.
Roadside parking has become one of the major cause of gridlock on the streets of Lagos.
Lagos is the most populous city in Nigeria and the biggest city in Africa. Land is a treasure-trove in Lagos because the city is surrounded by bodies of water. So, anybody that has a space wants to maximize its benefits. Economically, this has its good sides, especially for the land owners.
Houses are now built without provision for parking space so we now have a state where residents park on either side of the road. This detestable practice is now the order of the day. This has led to ugly acts like stealing cars, car parts, extracting diesel from cars etc. Residents park their cars with fear of probably losing their car or parts of their car which is so disheartening. Also, pedestrians struggle with vehicles to move on the narrow paths of the road. It has also discouraged citizens from walking on the roads for leisure or exercise for fear of being hit by cars.
Roadside parking has become overbearing and should be fully addressed but how can it be addressed or curbed when houses are without car parks ? Where will residents park their cars?
A recent study conducted by the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, has shown that a major cause of traffic jam in Lagos is Roadside parking.
Building an organized parking facilities in different parts of the city and ensuring that architectures include good parking space in every residential building, school, church or office building plan. This would certainly help reduce traffic along the largely congested roads. Moreover, it will not only reduce traffic but prove to be a revenue generator for the state. If this is appropriately addressed, it will not only create an enabling environment for everyone to live, it will also improve the state of living of everybody in the areas concerned.
Religious misinterpretations, poverty, teenage pregnancy and early marriage amongst others are factors hinders certain people from enabling the girl child in Nigeria.
Despite accounting for 94.2 million out of the 200 million population of Nigeria, the female gender is relegated, treated as second class citizen in the country. A girl child in Nigeria is typically perceived to be a weaker being designated to just reproduce, cook and do other household chores compared to her male counterpart.
In bid to address this situation, United Nations marks October 11 as the ‘International Day of the girl child which intends to promote girls’ human rights, highlight gender inequalities and other challenges that militates enabling girl child in Nigeria.
The unfair treatment of the girl child, especially in regards to education has driven a lot of concern in Nigeria as the average rural Nigerian parent would rather invest in the education of the son than the daughter.
The war to be relevant to the girl child in Nigeria starts as early as the age of five, unlike their male counterparts. Although the narrative that the girl is an inferior gender is changing in some part of Nigeria, the northern part is especially unyielding. Statistics show that literate women constitute only 20% from the north-west,20% North-East, and 45%from North Central. The rather grim figures indicates how women are viewed compared to men in Northern Nigeria. With little or no access to education, the girl child is limited.
Even when there are considerable provisions for the education of the girl-child in Nigeria, education is neither qualitative nor treated as a right to the girl child.
It is clear that the lack of access to quality education and opportunities of the female gender contributes to the stunted growth of Nigeria. The girl child must be treated better for Nigeria’s development.
Ever wondered what you can do with your dead phones? Aside from using the phone to distract or keep babies busy, or as a decoy for carjackers and pickpockets in Lagos traffic? Turns out, old phones are literal gold mines in the hands of those with the know-how. Let us see how the Olympic gold medals for Tokyo 2020 were mined.
Precious Minerals in Small Doses
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there are 0.034 grams of gold in each cell phone. That’s the equivalent of 0.001 troy ounces, 16 grams of copper, 0.35 grams of silver, and 0.00034 grams of platinum, valued at 2 cents.
Typically, every cell phone consists of around 40% metals (predominantly copper, gold, platinum, silver, and tungsten), 40% plastics, and 20% ceramics and trace materials.
In Japan, the Tokyo planning committee saw this as an opportunity to recycle dead phones and to put them to use. They started a medal-making campaign four years ago. The LOC asked citizens to donate their dead phones and gadgets, which were later transformed into the 2020 Olympic medals. Impressive right?
Also, recycled materials were used in the creation of other elements used in the Olympics – the victory-ceremony podiums and touch bearers’ uniforms were made from recycled plastics and plastic bottles.
With Love From Tokyo
So, the Tokyo Olympics Local Organizing Committee has taken recycling to a whole new level, and we would love to see this initiative emulated here in Nigeria.
We must caution, however, that the amount of gold found in a cell phone, is worth about $1.82 (N900.00) at today’s prices. So no, it’s not likely to turn anybody rich overnight. Or over several years even, given the amount of work that will go into sourcing and processing the old phones. Hence it took so long for the Olympic gold medals for Tokyo 2020.
Having said that, a recycling program to encourage local participation should include incentives; not unlike what the Lagos state government is doing with the waste plastics collectors.
So, next time, instead of dumping that old phone or gadget, give it up for recycling. That way, we have less waste in our environment and more manufactured products like medals, jewelry, etc. It’s not just about phones and gadgets. It’s about everything like pure water sachets, plastic bottles, fabrics, old cables, etc.
Recycling it seems, is golden. Or at least, it can be.
