The Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF) in partnership with US Charity Trees for the Future has commemorated the 43rd edition of the world earth day with a strong call for people to plant more trees and fight climate change. The day was celebrated on April 23, 2013 under the theme “the face of climate change” In a bid to raise the consciousness of young people towards environmental protection, ERuDeF used this day to mobilize over 100 students from some Secondary Schools in Buea to plant trees. Over twenty Mahogany trees seedlings were sown in the Campus of Government Bilingual High School(GBHS) Muea, Buea by students.
The tree planting exercise was quickly followed by a seminar, bringing together about 100 students from Secondary and High School. Speaking at the start of the seminar, the Vice Principal of this college underscored that environmental protection is a task for all. She thanked the NGO ERuDeF for choosing her school to host the event and urged the students to take advantage of all the lectures on climate change to be able to make meaningful contribution towards its mitigation.s
Also speaking during the event, the CEO of ERuDeF, Louis Nkembi thanked the school authority and students for joining the celebration of world earth day. He remarked that celebrating the day with young students was important to build a sense of consciousness in students on climate change and help build the next generation of conservation leaders.
A symposium on the topic “The importance of school forest gardens in the fight against climate” followed. Students gave contributions why forest gardens are indispensable. According to a 14-year-old form two student, climate change has become more evident in their school, with scorching sun peeling their skins and limited water to drink. According to this student creating a Forest garden which would hosts various species would not only help beautify their campus but would go a long way in mitigating the effects of climate change.
The world earth day it would be noted is a day set aside by the United Nations to pay tribute to the earth for sustaining life. The importance of the earth cannot be overemphasized given that all what humans want, they get it from the earth ranging from food, water, shelter, to name these. However, despite the enormous importance of the earth to man, man continues to carry out activities detrimental to the earth. It was against this backdrop that the United Nations in 1974 set aside this day not just to pay tribute to the earth, but to reawaken the consciousness of man to be a better caretaker of the earth.
Regina Fonjia Leke
