Georgwill Fombe
13 February 2004
Among the key issues raised by President Biya in his Youth Day eve message to the youths is the need for young boys and girls to join the struggle to protect the environment. If there were any doubts as to the importance of the issue this should now be clear granted the Head of State's public addresses should serve as blueprints for reflection and action. The protection of the environment has been on every lip, so banal that people appear to ignore the stakes. These were succinctly portrayed in last Tuesday's address that it would be fool hardy to ignore the dangers. That is why youths have to face this challenge, revamp the trend and bequeath a safer environment to their kith and kin. To get a full grasp of the danger that looms, it would be necessary to know the damage that is caused to the environment daily. Much has been said and heard about this especially after the Rio Summit.
President Biya underscores the damage in a rather simple albeit revealing manner. "Respect for the environment begins with little gestures in our daily lives such as refuse disposal in the appropriate bins " Often we ignore the bad habits we cultivate, looking rather at the global environmental damages. Yet, like the cancerous growth, there was a small beginning, an abnormal growth of some malignant tissues which could have well been pre-empted from maturing. Little or no attention was paid to it. Then disaster came! That's exactly the case with gross environmental hazards. If we have to beat back global warming, all hands must be on deck, each citizen endeavouring to avoid destroying the ozone layer. In what way you may ask? Your out-moded refrigerator, air conditioner, etc, emit the destructive gases. Unfortunately, many people believe that the use of their out moded individual equipment would not lead to destruction at such global level. But added up, the effect becomes devastating.
The appeal also touches on moral and descent upbringing. How often do we hear people complain of filthy streets. Just sit back and watch the caliber of people who eat bananas; oranges, groundnuts etc, and throw the pealings along the streets. Of course, they are well-dressed, ridding luxury cars yet It starts from the humble beginning as a toddler and later as a youth. That is perhaps why the Head of State decided to appeal to the youths. They have to grow up with such good attitudes so as to make their country, and the world safe places to live in.
Before that becomes reality, the danger is there. Human activities on the environment are causing the desert to spread rapidly. Global warming has led to a complete revolution in weather conditions in many areas in the world. Floods claim thousands of lives in several parts of the world each year. Some say it is hard to find the divide between dry and rainy season in most parts of the world. The point is, youths have to back environmental protection projects. Much is already being done by the Ministry of the Environment and Forestry, non-governmental organisations and international organisations. Vast forest protection programmes are already being implemented. Companies that pollute the environment with liquid or hard waste are being fined, etc. All this is being done to make life worth living for the present and future generations. Who else is more concerned on this score than today's youth? The challenge is yours!
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