An international organization, Natural Justice, has made a compelling plea to the Rivers State government, urging them to prioritize environmental protection to mitigate the potential consequences of devastating floods in the region.
Members of this group, in a sizable gathering, organized a march from Isaac Boro Park in Mile One to the Government House in Port Harcourt, where they called for comprehensive environmental protection measures throughout the state.
During a climate justice movement event held in Port Harcourt, Mr. Mike Karikpo, the Programme Manager for Natural Justice (Nigeria), stressed the paramount importance of environmental preservation. He stated, “Our environment is our life; without it, we cannot exercise any other rights that we have as human beings.”
He elaborated on their mission, saying, “We are building a movement of young people, women, communities, students, and the media, all working together to address the climate crisis at its root.”
The group presented a petition to the governor and the flood response committee, advocating for an expanded and inclusive committee.
Karikpo underscored the global dependence on fossil fuels, which has exacerbated the challenges posed by climate change. He emphasized the urgency of transitioning to a more sustainable economy and reducing dependency on fossil fuels, including crude oil, gas, and coal.
He further urged the government to prioritize a knowledge-based economy over an oil-based one, emphasizing the need to think about solutions to the challenges they face.
Additionally, he proposed that the flood response committee be transformed into a Climate Justice Adversary Committee, tasked with advising the state government on transitioning from an oil-based and fossil fuel-dependent economy to a sustainable and environmentally protective one.
This call for environmental protection and sustainable development underscores the critical need for proactive measures to address climate change and its potentially devastating effects, especially in flood-prone areas like Rivers State.
