Tag: reforestation

Artwork by Moses Agumba

By: Joy Ubani, 15, Nigeria

My name is Joy Ubani, I am 15 years old and I live with my parents and siblings in a city in Nigeria. I am passionate about environmental sustainability and nature conservation. Growing up, it was always fun visiting my village. The beauty of visiting my village is that I get to connect with natural environments that are unlikely to be found in the city. On my first visit to the village, I was so fascinated by the beauty of the biodiversity around. I saw the trees dancing to the rhythms of the winds, birds flying and singing on top of the trees, grasshoppers hopping from plant to plant and other animals like squirrels jumping from tree to tree. The mushrooms, the snails, honey from bees and wild fruits gotten from the forest, were used to make mouth-watering delicacies that left me feeling like staying back in the village. 

Ten years after my last visit, I went back to the village and behold, the environment had been tremendously altered. Urbanisation had set in and massive deforestation was ongoing. Although the villagers were happy for this massive development that has enveloped their community, they were ignorant of the massive biodiversity loss that has taken place. There were no longer sufficient trees for birds to hop around, the beautiful animals and insects had all gone extinct. All I could see were  massive buildings, houses, construction works, excavation of land for road construction etc. Everyone seems to have forgotten the importance of biodiversity around us.

The quest for development and urbanisation has led to deforestation and indiscriminate cutting down of trees and removal of land cover that used to be a habitat for biodiversity. The environment has become exposed to greenhouse gases that warm the earth surface and make the environment hot and uncomfortable to live in. At night the walls of the big buildings emit heat that makes it difficult for one to sleep comfortably (talk of urban heat island) unlike when the trees were there to take in the carbon dioxide and release oxygen that we needed to breathe well. I am not opposed to development and urbanisation but I believe  that we must make space for planting of trees and beautification of the environment for co-existence of humans and biodiversity. After all, it is said that “diversity is the spice of life”.  

The sustainable development goal (SDG) 15 – Life on Land is calling on everyone to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of the terrestrial ecosystem, management of forest and also conservation of wild life. But, how can we achieve this goal if we continue to allow biodiversity loss? It is important for us to conserve our environment, so that animals and humans can coexist and interact with the environment. Our co-existence with biodiversity is vital for life on land to be more enjoyable, sustainable, and equable.

I have committed myself to plant new trees and I  call on young people like me and you to plant trees in their homes because trees provide us with a conducive environment for relaxation, and shield us from ultraviolet radiation from the sun that are harmful to our skin.

Joy Ubani