INTRODUCTION
The wider population and the government are aware that prompt action is necessary to lessen the human impact on the environment, which is the means to turn around the global climate changes as well as lessening the demands on natural resources. Much has been done concerning this issue but a lot more needs to be done in order to decrease consumption of resources and get better environmental management if we want to repeal the global climate change and spare some resources to the future generations. Humanity is running out of natural resources and the global climate change is not something for the future, but it is here with us. Whether doing it for ourselves or for the future generation, out of a sense of self responsibility or self love it is simply out of love for nature. It is important for all to understand the impact of our human activities on mother earth. Depleting the natural resources will only result to living a future without these precious resources. Native Americans and the aborigines of Australia used only what they needed and did not pollute their environment neither did they alter it negatively. Nobel Peace Prize winner (2004) Laureate Wangari Mathai was famous for her advocacy on Environmental Conservation and will forever be remembered for her slogan “if you destroy nature, nature will destroy you”.
RATIONALE
It is with great concern and pity that I have observed the world change from better to worse as a result of human impact on the environment. Environment is nature and nature contributes to the well being of both plants and animals. I get deeply affected and emotional when I watch the television or read news about natural calamities and disasters that continue to rock the world and whose cause can be attributed to man interference with the environment. Human activities have a major impact to the eco system and the environment in general; in a bid to support the ever increasing world population man has continued to encroach on natural habitats of wild animals and forests causing pollution and environmental degradation. The United Nation’s policy on sustainable development in the entire world will not be achieved when the environment continues to be destroyed at the expense of human development. Human activities have increasingly continued to deplete the natural resources, damage our natural habitat, led to global climate change and also contributed heavily to the rise of preventable diseases and other health problems, to both plants and animals.
Problems ranging from floods, El Niño, tsunami, desertification, global warming, drought, diseases etc have continued to rock all corners of the world and this can be attributed to failure by individuals, families, communities and governments to conserve the environment. Therefore there is need for individuals starting with myself, to change their attitude towards environmental conservation issues. We have to stop viewing environmental conservation as a responsibility of authorities and governments but rather as a personal duty. Once you change your attitude, you can start changing the world. It is not the world that needs healing; rather it is humans who need healing. When humans heal the environment too will heal. I am particularly motivated by the works of renowned environmentalists around the world who started conservation work in their backyard, doing simple advocacy and awareness campaigns that has left a mark in the entire world. I have a strong believe that no matter how small I start or how insignificant it may look, my efforts will surely make a difference.
GOALS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED
- Waste Management
- A forestation and Reforestation
- Reduce pollution
SPECIFIC ACTION PLAN
I intend to set some achievable action plan which I believe will be of benefit not only to me as an individual but to the entire world as well. I will advocate through social awareness programs to sensitize members of the public on the importance of environmental conservation. Air pollution from cars can be reduced through proper vehicle care, maintenance and servicing. People should be urged to use public means of transport instead of personal vehicles.
I intend to campaign for a tree planting day in all schools and colleges, by doing so even children will grow up with a sense of value for trees. Through community based organizations, corporate bodies, institutions, youth groups etc I will organize for an environmental clean up day as this will go along way in maintaining a clean environment. I will initiate public meetings to educate members of the public on the importance of using environmentally friendly and non toxic detergents which will be of benefit not only to the environment, but also to their health.
Through the media and use of literature materials, I will sensitize members of the public on the importance of using green and renewable source of energy which reduce carbon emission, provide information on ways to reduce water pollution and domestic waste water treatment and the need to re-cycle solid waste materials instead of dumping them on the ground. Treatment of waste water for reuse in irrigation of flowerbeds, car wash, Street cleaning etc this will go along way in preserving the water resource and reduce the hazards associated with waste water. Proper disposal of trash and recyclable waste material and household composting in their backyard will help reduce the amount of waste disposed into a land fill. I will advocate for activities that will reduce the amount and quality of waste generated at the household levels, industries etc as this will reduce the burden of waste handling and disposal. Educating farmers on the importance of using organic fertilizers instead of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides etc can not be ignored considering the effects that chemicals pose to the environment. Family members including children should be taught how to conserve existing resources-mainly food and water, encourage use of biodegradable papers instead of polythene papers, and conserve energy by taking less time in showers
BENEFITS TO THE ENVIRONMENT
Waste management is an area which so much emphasis has been put in considering that people are now much enlightened of the potential risks involved in improper handling and disposal of both liquid and solid waste. This involves the actual generation, collection, transportation, handling, recycling and disposal of waste materials. Waste is a product of man’s activity and so it is the duty of all of us to protect the environment. It is the responsibility of all human beings to make sure that waste is effectively recycled or disposed as this helps to save the environment from destruction, excessive littering, degradation and becoming messy. Proper waste management will ensure that Industrial waste which is hazardous and contains toxins; is well handled so that it does not get into the environment in active form or untreated. Being one of the encompassing disciplines, it has been discussed in different approaches, but the most important is the decision to minimize waste and protect the environment. Therefore campaign to utilize re usable and recyclable material is imperative.
Human beings needs to be sensitized on the effects of their actions toward polluting the environment hence there is need to involve them actively in environmental conservation through removal and reduction of pollutants. The common types of pollution as a result of human activity include air pollution, water pollution and land pollution. Air pollution comes as a result of people burning material that result to emission of chemical into the atmosphere, this also comes from aerosol fumes, automobile combustion, domestically used chemicals, and paints etc. common gasses emitted into the atmosphere include carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons and carbon monoxide, which have a major effect on human beings by causing cardio -respiratory problems among others. To the environment air pollution leads to serious problems such as global warming, climate change, acid rain and ozone layer depletion. Water pollution is as a result of releasing waste into water bodies, these includes domestic waste, industrial waste , agricultural waste, marine dumping, marine spills, radioactive waste etc. polluted water is unfit for human consumption and could adversely affect the health of animals and plants alike. It is also a breeding source for micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria, intestinal parasites, etc that causes water borne diseases, only through advocacy and campaign to curb environmental pollution, are we going to win the battle for all these problems. The contributing factor to land pollution is domestic and industrial waste not being disposed properly; this causes harmful substances and chemicals to get into the ground. Non bio-degradable materials like plastics, bottles and Styrofoam can stay buried in the soil for thousand of years. Products containing heavy metals like lead and mercury release dangerous chemicals and toxins into the ground which percolates down under causing pollution of underground water system, consumption of such water by animals, could lead to serious health problems such as respiratory problems, birth disorders, skin problems or even cancer. Considering all these problems caused by pollution, the world has no choice but to seriously work on all possible ways that can reduce pollution.
In summary use of biodiesel fuel will have an enormous contribution to reduction in fossils fuel emissions and air pollution. There will be a reduced impact on ozone layer depletion and climate change; problems resulting from global warming like El Nino and floods will reduce. Improved forest cover will give way to restoration of habitat and increase carbon captures in the atmosphere hence improve the eco system and biodiversity. Proper waste management and use of recyclable materials will lead to a pollution free environment.
TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE ACTION STEPS
I will give myself a period of fifteen years (15) to fully achieve my action plan. After every two years, I will be evaluating my action plan to measure the success and weakness of my plan. This will help me to re organize and re structure my action plan to achieve my objectives. I will use the media, public campaigns, written literature on environmental conservation books and magazines to re sensitize people on the importance of preserving and protecting the environment.
In a period of five years I will expect to see a community that is fully aware of the benefits of environmental conservation including school children. My expectation is that the action plan that i have initiated will be followed strictly and adhered to. I will liaise with the authorities concerned to recognize my work and assist me in advocating for the same.
After a period of ten years, I expect to have fully achieved my action plan in my country I want to believe that having turned around my community and my country the rest of the world will have no option but to adopt my action plan. Within a period of fifteen years the world will be smiling on what we will have achieved.
I will use the media both print and electronic media, to sensitize people on the importance of conserving the environment. I will expect the government to assist me financially on recognizing the importance of my noble work. I will use donors and well wishers to assist in my work. I also plan to take a charitable walk in aid of my project. Involving churches and other social organization to assist in this project will also be of great benefit.
Sourcing for funds is a big challenge due to lack of trust from donors. Lack of loyalty from members of the public is another factor that has dragged my project. laid down laws and regulations are a barrier to my project, as it becomes hard to change them. Some people expect to be paid for doing what they are doing to conserve the environment; others are comfortable with the status quo and are not ready for change. There is also lack of dedication from the government and authorities concerned.
The government needs to review the guidelines for standards of pollution and make it easy for feasible ideas to be applied to all sectors involved. Much campaign needs to be done for people to realize the benefit of environmental conservation so that it becomes a duty for all of us to do what is right to the environment. The government should put a slot in the budget for environmental conservation and this should be observed with a lot of seriousness.
References
Cointreau, S. (1982). Environmental Management of Urban Solid Wastes in Developing Countries. washington D.C.: world bank.
Mearns., G. L. (1988). BEHIND THE WOODFUEL CRISIS. london: earthscan.
Park, C. (2008). A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation. U.S.A: Oxford University Press.
Sharma., M. H. (1991). WHOSE TREES? A PEOPLE'S VIEW OF FORESTRY AID. london: pamos institute.
UNEP. (2004). Waste Management Planning-An Environmentally Sound Approach for Susatainable Urban Wase . UNEP.
Vidas, D. (2006). Implementing the Environmental Protection Regime for the Antarctic. New York: Springer.
