Man continues to be a threat the environment through his harmful behaviours that have become a threat the physical environment
By Omolara Otuyemi
Only people can create or restore equilibrium.
I was recently shown a documentary that showed a photographer trying to capture the beauty and beauty of nature through his lens. However, he quickly realized that humans are an active part of nature’s remaining forces, which include water, air, and fire.
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The documentary highlighted how humans’ apathy has had a negative effect on the ecosystem, its inhabitants and other elements. This highlights the need to ensure that all five elements are stable in order to maintain a system without hazards. The imbalance of any one element can have a negative effect on the balance of all the elements.
The movie is about the United States of America, but it’s only one aspect of the movie. However, it can be quickly compared to our country, where the elements of fire are not present, but the four other elements, earth, air and water, are present and unfortunately imbalanced.
Different geopolitical zones of Nigeria have their own unique elements that wage health-linked war against communities. These are mostly caused by the human element which, without remorse, pollutes the other elements to gain or due to ignorance.
According to the International Encyclopedia of Social and Behavioural Science (IESBS), an environmental hazard is a dangerous substance or event in the earth and its ecosystem that could have adverse effects on humans and the things they value.
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Environmental risk, the byproduct of environmental danger, refers to the health consequences that may result from pollution, climate change and radiation noise, land use patterns, drug abuse, and other environmental hazards.
Some parts of the country are experiencing land, water, or air pollution that is uncontrollable. This is due to the political and economical structure. However, some people are not protected from the harshness of environmental risks and their effects.
It is fair to say that the Lagos State government has managed to reduce some of these environmental hazards to a minimum level in Nigeria. The human element is a problem that seems to be a constant environmental risk.
Dr. Dolapo Fasawe is the head of LASPEC, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency. This agency is clearly focused on reforming state policies regarding environmental protection and risks.
The Lagos State government has developed a new approach for managing environmental risks. It has chosen to concentrate on identifying the risk factor and preventing it.
Indisputable evidence shows that the State government has been capable of addressing environmental problems through the creation agencies such as the Lagos State Waste Management Agency, (LAWMA) -to address waste management and disposal to reduce overall health risk) and the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office, (LASWMO) to prevent environmental harms.
However, man continues to be a threat in the environment through his harmful human behaviour, which has created imbalance in the other elements of nature.
However, the severity of the environmental impact of human behaviour is measured by the population and geographical location of those who are most at risk. These risk factors include climate change, erosion, poor air quality and climate change.
An image of Styrofoam floating on water-clogged streets emerged on the internet some years ago, in the Surulere area of Lagos State.
Others blamed the government for not creating a proper drainage system. However, it is important to emphasize that the human-induced havoc continues to be huge.
Lagos residents must understand that the quality and quantity of our lives as human beings is largely influenced by the environment in which we live. Many people still don’t realize that the environment in which we live, and the air we breathe is life.
Or how can we explain those who make their living in an unsanitary and inhospitable environment. It is still common for people to throw things out of their cars onto the highways.
Stinking gutters still take pride of place on the streets next to easily-located food vendors, making it easier to dispose of garbage.
Even some of the fanciest areas are not exempted “pure water” sachets (which surely rank very high on the list of the most environmentally-unfriendly products ever invented!Bottles, bottles, and unofficial garbage dumps line the gates of posh homes with well-manicured lawns.
In a state that is so committed to environmental sanitation, this dirty habit is not justified. It is harmful to the common good.
The environmental risk that exists in the environment is often overlooked by humans. If not addressed, it can cause havoc. There are many companies that exhume harmful chemical, biological, or physical agents into the atmosphere. This can have adverse effects on the natural characteristics of our atmosphere. It may also result in open defecation, improper disposal and burning fossil fuels.
The greenhouse gases are trapped in the atmosphere because of contamination of the natural characteristics. Most of the time, heat complaints are a result our collective actions.
One-use plastic, which is the biggest enemy of the environment, can be tackled and the nation might just be on its path to sanity.
Market space has been flooded with single-use plastics. Because it is ineligible to decompose, it contributes to environmental risks. Perhaps the Federal Government will intensify its search for alternatives to single-use plastic to allow humans to evolve with it.
The decision of National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to ban sachet alcohol production is encouraging. It would not only prevent the harmful effects on humans but also reduce the amount of non-biodegradable waste in society.
It is hard to overstate the positive impact of an ecofriendly environment. It promotes healthy living, which will intentionally lower the cost of living and increase mental health.
Nature can be angry and cause havoc. We must change our attitudes towards environmental issues. For now, the earth is our home. It is where our lives, breath, eat, and raise children are all done.
Because our entire existence depends on the environment, it is not possible to destroy it. If we adopt a positive attitude towards the environment, we can be sure that our environment is free from any pollutants or hazards that may be introduced by human-caused activities.
Future generations of humans can live and grow without having to deal directly with any contamination to the environment in which they live. Protecting the environment is the best way to avoid diseases and other environmental hazards.
Omolara Otuyemi, wrote the Features Unit.
Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy
Alausa-Ikeja
