By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

In commemoration of the International Day for Biological Diversity, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has emphasized the need “to preserve our biodiversity and reconnect with nature.”

International Day for Biological Diversity with this year’s theme: “Be Part of the Plan,” is celebrated on the 22nd of May yearly, and it’s aims at raising awareness, promoting issues around biodiversity, and the significant reduction in biological diversity due to human activities.”

In a statement issued by Kome Odhomor, Media/Communication Lead, HOMEF, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of the organisation said as the theme implies, humans are m charged to live with due deference to nature.

According to him, despite the ritual, humans’ insatiable drive for resources has exposed the nature of human relationships with their surroundings and natural beings around them as a tool for exploitation.

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Bassey further added: “We are the losers when we continually cheat on nature through extractive activities and intentional destruction of biodiversity. We must all consider ourselves as part of the plan to build a livable future where all beings coexist
harmoniously.”

He continued: “The continuous genetic alteration of our crops and livestock and pollution of our environment has direct implications for biodiversity and our quality of life. These continuously destroy what we once called the good life.”

On her part, Director of Programmes, HOMEF, Joyce Brown, states, “Biodiversity contributes to human well-being directly through the provision of foods, fuels, and fibers, and
indirectly through its role in enhancing the ecosystem functions.”

“Pollution from oil and gas exploration and extraction, climate change, invasive species, over harvesting of resources, and plastic pollution pose severe threats to Nigeria’s biological diversity. These are further compounded by Nigeria’s move to adopt modern agricultural biotechnology as a solution to food insecurity.

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“The adoption of GMOs, as well as
chemical fertilizers/pesticides, comes at a great cost to biodiversity and the environment. GMOs thrive in monocultures and the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides destroy non target but beneficial organisms including soil microorganisms, bees and other insects that are essential
for maintaining the cycles of life.”

According to her, “Biodiversity loss will continue to accelerate if we keep on the trajectory of genetic manipulations of our food and dependence on chemical fertiliers and pesticides. Further destruction of ecosystems and habitats will threaten our ability to sustain human populations.”

Brown highlighted solutions to biodiversity erosion to include improving waste management systems, and better management of protected areas, including national parks, wildlife reserves, and forest reserves, through improved governance, law enforcement, and community involvement.

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“The Government should encourage adopting agroecological farming
practices that promote biodiversity conservation, soil health, and
sustainable agriculture. Also, the Government should develop and
implement strategies for the prevention, control, and eradication of invasive species that threaten native biodiversity in Nigeria. It is
important to enhance monitoring and early detection systems to prevent the establishment and spread of invasive species, particularly in sensitive ecosystems,” Brown added.

She therefore called for active monitoring and reporting of infringements of the environment for human health and overall well-being.

“The precautionary principle should be the bedrock of biosafety
regulation. To address the climate and food crises, we must address their root causes. As a way forward, we must adopt solutions that work
with nature instead of against it and promote systems that support the
livelihoods of millions of people depending on them,” Brown added.