Experts, bank mark Earth Hour Day

A renowned environmentalist, Desmond Majekodunmi has urged Nigerians to engage in tree planting to protect the environment.

Majekodunmi, who is the Chairman of Lekki Urban Forest and Animal Shelter Initiative, gave this charge in Lagos during the celebration of Earth Hour, said: “environment may fall apart if the issue of global warming is not addressed as everything seems to be moving toward a tipping point of no return.”

He noted that the Industrial Revolution in Europe many years ago set the tone for the increase in pollution of the atmosphere which now stands at about 400 points, resulting into an increase in the planet’s temperature to almost one degree .

The Unity Bank’s Head of Corporate Communication, Matthew Obiazikwor, whose organization hosted the event, said the bank supported the event because of its belief in environmental sustainability and the importance of good environment to human survival.

Earth Hour Nigeria Country Director, Halima Baba, said that the emphasis this year is to employ the use of social media to promote climate change and activities that can mitigate its effects so as to call the attention of the younger generation to the issue.

The highpoint of the celebration was the symbolic one hour of darkness from 8:30 to 9:30pm, during which all none essential lights were switched off everywhere the event was celebrated across the globe according to time variations, to call attention to sustainable use of energy.