Greetings to the kind-hearted people of Rivers State. This is another episode of Rivethics on Radio, our character-building weekend show. I am honoured once again to welcome you to this episode. Please remember that a healthy environment is a big deal. You are a product of your environment. This episode is in commemoration of the World Environment Day, coming up June the 5th.
The purpose of World Environment Day is to focus worldwide attention on the importance of the environment and stimulate political attention and action. The event seeks to empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocate partnership, which will ensure that all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.
Since the first celebration in 1974, the World Environment Day has helped the United Nations to reduce ignorance, create awareness and generate political impetus around growing concerns such as the depletion of the ozone layer, toxic chemicals, desertification and global warming. The Day has developed into a global platform for taking action on urgent environmental issues. Millions of people have taken part over the years, helping drive change in our consumption habits, as well as in national and international environmental policy. “Beat Plastic Pollution” is chosen as the theme of the World Environment Day 2018, hosted by India. Companies and governments around the world continue to announce new pledges to tackle plastic waste.
While plastic has many valuable uses, the over reliance on plastics has created an environmental emergency as is apparent from the following statistics:
• Around the world, 1 million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute.
• Every year we use up to 5 trillion disposable plastic bags.
• Nearly one third of the plastic packaging we use escapes collection systems, which means that it ends up clogging our city streets and polluting our natural environment.
• Every year, up to 13 million tons of plastic leak into our oceans, where it smothers coral reefs and threatens vulnerable marine wildlife.
To meet global environmental challenges, we need commitment not only at the political -but also at the corporate and grassroots levels. We need individual commitments and action. Make a commitment today to contribute to a healthy environment and pass the message to friends and family. Together, we will create the momentum to lead to greater action.
Let us listen to our guest speaker, Engr ( Mrs) Kaine Bene Chinwah, Chairperson, African Centre for Environmental Protection, tell us more as she shares her insight.
Our lovely Rivers People, please remember to always let your manners speak for you.
God bless and keep you and your families and God bless Rivers State.
Her Excellency, Justice Mrs. Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, the Wife of the Governor of Rivers State and Initiator of the RivEthics Social Development Programme.
You can also listen to and download the Pidgin English version of this Episode below