In Nigeria today to the best of my knowledge, one of the most powerful yet underrated tools for environmental protection is tree planting. As our cities expand and rural areas are increasingly cleared for construction and infrastructure, we are losing trees at an alarming rate. The effects are visible everywhere rising temperatures, erosion, flooding, desert encroachment in the northern regions, and declining air quality in major urban centers, especially in cities like Lagos. If we truly want to save the environment from a Nigerian perspective, tree planting must become both a personal responsibility, i remember when i wen tot dubai, i was staying at a hotel and it dawned on me their was absolutely no trees, just tall buildings, no air,it has all been blocked by tall buildings and the heat was something new for me honestly. Trees are more than just part of the scenery. They are natural air purifiers. In cities like Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt, vehicle emissions and generator fumes contribute heavily to air pollution.
Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, improving the quality of the air we breathe. They also provide shade and anyone who has stood under a large tree on a hot afternoon understands the difference it makes. That simple shade represents a natural solution to climate challenges that no machine can fully replace. Beyond air purification, trees help prevent erosion and flooding. During the rainy season, many Nigerian communities are increasingly facing severe flooding, often worsened by poor drainage and deforestation. Tree roots as I once researched hold soil together and absorb excess water. If I could I would make it mandatory for every household to plant and maintain at least one tree. I believe their was such a policy in Nigeria in the 90’s in my city but of course it did not last, successive governments did not continue it. Schools should adopt tree planting programs where every graduating student plants a tree as a legacy project. Government institutions, markets, and religious centers should maintain green spaces.
Urban planning policies can also be made to mandatorily make developers to include a minimum number of trees in residential estates and commercial complexes. But then again the truth is that It requires maintenance. Too often, trees are planted during ceremonies and then abandoned. Communities must take ownership of the trees they plant, watering and protecting them until they mature. Renewable energy adoption also especially solar power, is particularly suitable given our abundant sunlight. Encouraging solar installations for homes and small businesses would reduce dependence on fuel generators, cutting down both noise and air pollution, but then again to be realistic solar energy doesn’t fully have the capability to take the load of these traditional methods of power generation and it is costly to set up. Saving the environment is not an impossible task. It starts with simple actions like planting and nurturing a tree, conserving energy, and protecting green spaces and who knows maybe we can reverse the damage global warming is doing and slow down the climate change rapidness but of course again this is a question or topic for the more advanced countries that contribute a lot to global warming
