Some environment experts on Sunday urged environment service providers to exhibit professionalism in carrying out their duties.
The experts, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Lagos, said that the imminent dangers of global warming called for intensified action and dedication of the professionals.
Mr Taiwo Awonuga, the President, Lagos Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN) said there was need for practitioners to brace up to provide the public the much needed direction in handling environment crisis.
He identified air pollution related health effects as reason for the increase in the rate of transmission of infectious diseases including water, food, vector and rodents.
“Malnutrition due to effects on agriculture and extreme weather related health effects, storm surge related drowning and injuries are on the rise.
“Health problems associated with displaced refugee population and many more health related impacts could be associated to Climate Change.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that by the year 2030, Climate Change could cause an additional 250,000 deaths per year from issues requiring environmental health solutions,” he said.
Awonuga charged the environmental officers to eschew parochial attitudes, in spite of low funding and save the masses by being dedicated, adding that anything contrary would spell doom for everyone.
According to him, officers posted to local council areas should pay attention to the way the people dispose of their septic tanks to ensure compliance.
Dr Muhtari Aminu-Kano, the Director-General, Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) said that educating the policy makers and the general public about the effects of Climate Change and global warming was an essential duty of the professionals.
“Environmental diagnosis and tracking of events that are related to Climate Change, development, enactment and enforcement of policies that are related to Climate Change should be prioritised.
“Mobilisation of communities through partnerships toward solving problems and addressing events that may occur as a result of Climate Change should also be encouraged,” he said.
Ms Omobola Eko, the Converner, Urban Tree Revival Team (UTRT), an NGO involved in tree planting said that as practitioners, the environment crisis was expedient.
“We ought to be prepared and salvage the daunting circumstances of Climate Change and attendant global warming.
“Strengthening the environmental health practice is the only way to go toward ensuring a sustainable environment for our children and generations unborn,” she said.
Eko urged environment scientists to emulate their colleagues in other climes, who were constantly chunning out scientific solutions to curb their climate challenges. (NAN)
