Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, last Tuesday whipped up the interest of Members of Parliament (MPs) on the need for the restoration of the environment via a statement he made on the Floor of the House.
The statement, described by contributing MPs as good, timely and well-researched, attracted a lot of contributions from fellow numbers.
With the theme “Ecosystem Restoration”, the Minister pointed out that “World Environment Day” is the United Nations Flagship Day for promoting worldwide awareness and action for the environment.
He stated that since 1974, it has been celebrated every year on June 5, engaging governments, businesses, celebrities and citizens to focus on pressing environmental issues. He said that in Ghana the slogan for the celebration is “Let’s Unite to save the Environment”.
Dr. Afriyie stated further that this year’s celebration will kick off the UN decade on Ecosystem Restoration slated for 2021 – 2030.
“This is a global mission to revive billions of hectares, from forests to farmlands, from the top of mountains to the depth of the sea. This year’s theme means preventing, halting and reversing the damage to go from exploiting nature to healing it. Therefore, we must take all measures available to ensure this objective is realized”, he stated.
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IMPORTANCE OF ECOSYSTEMS
The Minister noted that the importance of ecosystems cannot be overemphasized, stressing that as they celebrate the day, Ghanaians should acknowledge that ecosystems are the main support system of life on earth.
“The health of our ecosystems is directly proportional to the health of life on earth. Ecosystems are the natural regulators of atmospheric oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Some benefits we obtain from healthy ecosystems are food, clean water, clean air, fertile soils and an ambient environment However, it is regretful to note that these benefits are being exploited at unsustainable rate,” Dr. Afriyie pointed out.
He indicated that the United Nations reports that ecosystem loss is depriving the World of carbon dioxide sinks like forests and peat lands at a time humanity can least afford it. He stated further that global greenhouse gas emissions keep rising for consecutive years and the planet is at risk of experiencing an unprecedented impact of climate change. He continued that the UN reports indicate that humanity is losing 10 million hectares of forests annually; air and water pollution are killing 9 million people annually – more than six times the current toll of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Afriyie stated that carbon dioxide levels are currently high and keep rising, an indication that the word is at a critical point of its existence. He mentioned that the world is seeing its ecosystem disappear before its eyes and that its glaciers melting and heat waves being experienced more often.
EXPLOITATION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
According to the Minister, the ecosystems of our part of the world are being depleted at alarming rates due to the over exploitation and unsustainable extraction of resources from the natural environment.
He said that a recent analysis by the Ghana Country Analysis launched by the World Bank has it that the total cost of environmental degradation in Ghana per year is estimated at US$11 billion. This, he noted, point to the conclusion that environmental degradation and unsustainable natural resources use, pose a significant risk to future economic growth, as well as threat to public and ecosystem health.
MP after MP who contributed to the statement shared the Minister’s views and, while bemoaning the situation called for the preservation, sustenance and restoration of the environment. They opined that the present generation has the moral obligation to restore and sustainably manage the environment for future generations to benefit from it.
LET’S OWN UP; TIME IS NOW
On her part, Hon. Patricia Appiagyei, Former Deputy Minister at the Ministry, charged Ghanaians to own up and accept responsibility of the degradation of the environment with the concomitant destruction of the ecosystem.
She was however quick to point out that the time for its (Ecosystem’s) salvation, restoration and sustenance was now. While bemoaning the situation, Hon. Appiagyei, who also doubles as MP for Asokwa maintained that the US$11 billion cost on environmental degradation per year, could have been put to proper use for the benefit of the citizenry.
Hon. Appiagyei pointed out that “Galamsey”, which has become a major headache in environmental degradation should be seen from a nationalist point and not treated as a political issue. She also called for a second look at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a more strategic approach to help solve, salvage, restore and sustain the environment for posterity.
Source: S. O. Ankamah