Janefrances Chibuzor
The Chief Plastic Picker of LUFASI Nature, Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi has issued a dire warning about the ongoing climate crisis, describing it as a global emergency that demands urgent action. Speaking during a recent visit to the park by Berexnews, Mr. Majekodunmi emphasised the critical role of nature in sustaining human life and the dire consequences of continued environmental neglect.
“Our life support system is being destroyed,” Majekodunmi declared. “Everything we need to survive comes from nature — the oxygen we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. Yet, due to human pride, ego, and a dangerous addiction to sense gratification, we are depleting these resources instead of replenishing them.”
Emphasising the importance of oxygen, Majekodunmi noted that it is humanity’s most essential commodity, even more critical than water or food. “Without oxygen, no human can survive more than a few minutes. Yet, we are actively destroying the vegetation and processes that produce it,” he stated, referencing the deforestation of green spaces and the warming of oceans, which are crucial for oxygen production.
Also, he shed light on the effects of global warming, now referred to by experts as “global boiling,” describing the escalation from a crisis to an emergency. He recounted the 2015 Paris Agreement, where nations pledged to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, only for emissions to reach record highs by 2023. “Despite agreeing to cut emissions, humanity has produced more CO2 than ever recorded. This has made 2023 the hottest year in history,” he said.
He explained the dangerous phenomenon of tipping points — thresholds in natural systems beyond which changes become irreversible. “The Amazon and Congo forests, which should absorb carbon dioxide, are now releasing it due to extreme heat. Polar ice caps, vital for reflecting solar heat, are melting faster than ever, accelerating warming and raising sea levels. Cities like Lagos could be submerged if this continues,” Majekodunmi warned.
He called for a shift from rhetoric to action, urging governments, private organisations, and individuals to tackle the crisis head-on. “We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to renewable energy sources immediately,” He asserted. “Reforestation, sustainable practices, and climate resilience infrastructure are not optional — they are essential.”
To this, he reiterated the importance of education and public awareness. “We must break through the apathy and ignorance that delay meaningful change. Every individual, every organisation, has a role to play,” he said.
The environmental activist painted a stark picture of the future if humanity fails to act. “We are pushing the Earth beyond its normal operational temperature. If allowed to continue, the consequences will be catastrophic: genetic dieback of species, rising seas, and the collapse of ecosystems essential for life. Time is running out.”
In conclusion, the environment activist called on all sectors of society to embrace their responsibility to protect the planet. “We must walk the walk, not just talk the talk. The Earth is our life-support system, and its survival is our survival. Let us rise to this challenge together.”
Majekodunmi’s words serve as a clarion call, urging immediate and collective action to address the escalating climate emergency before it is too late.
