In a bid to safeguard both health and the environment, Nigerians are urged to restrict their exposure to harmful substances, as emphasized by environmental expert Dr. Salamatu Ekpo.
Dr. Ekpo, a lecturer at the Department of Environmental Management, Nasarawa State University, delivered this crucial advice during a telephone interview on Tuesday.
Stressing the importance of prudent measures, she emphasized the potential adverse effects of prolonged exposure to hazardous materials on both human well-being and ecological balance.
Ekpo said the harmful substances were fireworks, indiscriminate burning of waste, and emission of chemicals and smoke into the air and water, which could have long-term negative effects on human health and cause major damage to the environment.
She said Nigeria could do more to be eco-friendly, adding that the small changes in their daily lives were enough to make a big difference.
She said instead of burning waste, recycling and reducing it could help protect the environment, adding that reducing the quantity of waste that ends up in landfills could help biodiversity.
ALSO READ: NESREA, SRADEv call for responsible battery recycling
According to her, everyone needs to reduce and reuse resources if possible and also minimize emissions.
“We need to also curb degradation. Instead of cutting down trees, we should start planting more to help us as humans and the environment,” she said.
Ekpo added that being eco-friendly had its socio-economic impact, including economic successes alongside food and water security.
She enjoined everyone to be eco-friendly, adding that with this, everyone could build resilience against climate change.
NAN
