The Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) has called on all relevant stakeholders to support and promote nature-positive future for healthy environment.
Mr Oladapo Soneye, NCF Head of Communication, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
NAN reports the world celebrates Earth Hour every last Saturday of March annually to encourage people to save energy and use it wisely.
Earth hour is being supported by Germany Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety with Funding from International Climate Initiative.
The Earth Hour 2022 tagged: “Shape Our Future”, will take place on Saturday March 26, at 8:30 p.m. local time.
Soneye said it was up to everyone to shape the future by bringing attention to the critical issues which the planet is facing and working towards promoting nature positively.
He said that Earth Hour was world’s largest grassroots movement for environment and set to unite millions of people around the world to show their commitment to the planet.
According to him, as we continue adapting our lives to the impacts of COVID-19 and the catastrophic events of the past two years, Earth Hour 2022 aims to signal the end of business as usual.
“It will herald a new era that puts people and the planet first. Taking place at a particularly crucial time.
“This year’s Earth Hour invites people around the world to take a stand and signal their support for a nature-positive future.
“About 73 per cent of people in G20 countries agreeing that the earth is approaching potentially abrupt or irreversible tipping points because human action awareness of nature loss and climate change is high.
“On the set day, individuals and groups are expected to switch off all electrical appliances including bulbs to conserve energy for one hour, while using torchlight momentarily.
“They are expected to record the activity and post on the social media while using relevant hashtags such as #SaveEarth #EarthHour among others.
“They could also have discussions between and among themselves on the importance of conserving the earth,” he said.
The NCF spokesman said that the world leaders were committed to decide on a new global action plan for nature, thereby creating a biodiversity framework which halts and reverse nature loss for generations to come.
He said that such collective effort would enhance a nature-positive future and without such action plan the global economy can be wiped off.
“So, it’s time to act now, nature is our green gold, and it is everyone’s business,” he said.
Soneye said that the rate of devastation of environment was alarming, adding that creating a positive nature future would address environmental challenges and promote healthy environment.
He said that earth hour was one of such opportunities created to draw attention to the state of ecosystem, unhealthy environment, and the need to take drastic steps in salvaging the situation.
He said that Earth Hour has inspired global initiatives for the protection of nature, climate, and the environment, helping drive awareness, action and policy change.
He said that the NCF was the premier Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) dedicated to nature conservation and sustainable development in Nigeria. (NAN)
