‘Afforestation vital to tackling heat wave’

Environment experts have recommended the restoration of forest habitats to mitigate the current heat wave emanating from climate change.

The experts spoke on the back of the current heat wave that has added credence to the fight against global warming and climate change.

The Executive Director of the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation, Michael David, said the heat wave is a function of the drying up of streams and rivers.

He urged Nigerians to plant more trees and restore forest habitats in homes to mitigate climate change.

“To address the impact of heat wave and the drying of rivers and streams requires a more comprehensive strategy on climate adaptation process, water management and generally ecosystem restoration,” he said

He added that the hot weather being experienced in the country was due to climate change. He said there was an urgent need to safeguard water resources for future generations.

He added, “Heatwave exposes to drought and contributes to health problems in humans and wildlife, leading to high levels of disease.

“Heatwave causes a lot of socio-economic impacts on communities, water scarcity raises a lot of conflict in communities; livelihoods are affected as well as animals and farmers. Communities are also displaced, leading to migration of people.”

Similarly, the National Coordinator of Clean-up Nigeria, Ene Owoh, said Climate change had caused water shortage, drought, a fall in agricultural produce, and decreased forest habitat which is essential during this heat wave period in the country.

He said, “Climate change has caused water shortage, drought, and the decrease of agricultural produce, it is important to note that water and climate change were intellect.

“Climate change affects water supply in several ways from the present unpredictable rainfalls to the depreciating water levels in streams. The rising sea levels, and the cases of flood and drought, all boil down to climate change.

“The truth be told, climate change has altered the availability of water, thus making it less plentiful in the world. Let us bear in mind that any increase in temperature level will have consequences on water level as well as human beings.”