Environment experts have recommended that restoration of forest habitats will go along way in mitigating the current heat wave emanating from climate change.
Speaking on the back of the current heat wave that has added credence to the fight against global warming and climate change, executive Director of the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation, Michael David, said that the heat wave is a function of the drying up of streams and rivers.
He therefore called on Nigerians to plant more trees and restore forest habitats in their homes to mitigate climate change.
“To address the impact of heat wave and the drying of rivers and streams requires a more comprehensive strategy on climate adaptation process, water management and generally ecosystem restoration,” he said. “Heatwave exposes to drought and contributes to health problems in humans and wildlife, leading to high levels of disease,”.
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Speaking further, he said “Heatwave causes a lot of socio-economic impacts on communities, water scarcity raises a lot of conflict in communities; livelihoods are affected as well as animals and farmers. Communities are also displaced, leading to migration of people.”
Also, the National Coordinator of Clean-up Nigeria, Ene Owoh, said that Climate change had caused water shortage, drought, a fall in agricultural produce, and decreased forest habitat which is essential during this heat wave period in the country.
He said, “Climate change has caused water shortage, drought, and the decrease of agricultural produce, it is important to note that water and climate change were intellect,”. “Climate change affects water supply in several ways from the present unpredictable rainfalls to the depreciating water levels in streams,”.
Story was adapted from Punch.
