The German Consulate General in Lagos stressed that, while it isn’t always possible, preventing waste creation is the most efficient method of reducing it. Recycling—especially of plastics—has so emerged as the most advantageous worldwide solution. Udochukwu Okeahialam, the program officer, spoke on behalf of the Consul General at the Falomo Save the Planet Climate Action Recycling Concert at Ireti Senior Grammar School. He emphasised that in order to save money, preserve resources, and lower Greenhouse gas emissions, it is crucial to recycle, reuse, and reduce waste.
In order to encourage responsible consumption, he emphasised the value of knowledge and Education and commended the students for their engagement with important subjects like Climate Change and environmental sustainability. Three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—good health and well-being, quality education, and responsible consumption and production—are all in line with the campaign. The necessity for creative and inclusive answers to interrelated problems in sustainability, health, and education is highlighted by these objectives. The founder of the Lightout Highschool Initiative, Akinade Ibuoye, emphasised the significance of these measures once more, stressing that resource conservation and waste reduction lead to improved health outcomes and a cleaner environment.
Students discussed important topics like sustainability and climate change.
He also emphasised the importance of art and music in promoting the cause since these forms of expression may motivate sustained action towards Sustainability and engage youth. Only 9% of the 380 million tonnes of plastic generated yearly worldwide are recycled; the remainder is put in landfills, the ocean, or are burned, all of which contribute to air pollution. Every year, 32 million tonnes of waste are produced in Nigeria, of which 2.5 million tonnes are made of plastic, the majority of which is not recycled.
This emphasises how vital it is to support sustainable practices through events like the Falomo Save the Planet Concert. The event’s students discussed important topics like sustainability and climate change, which is in line with SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), 4 (Quality Education), and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). An opportunity to increase awareness of the negative effects incorrect Waste Management has on the environment and human health was also presented by the event.
To reduce waste, people can implement doable actions in their daily life.
“Prior to this concert, I didn’t really understand how my actions, like throwing away plastic bottles, could harm the environment,” related Tobi Adeyemi, one of the pupils. These days, I make an effort to reuse items and encourage my friends to follow suit. Knowing that I am contributing to change makes me happy. There are other climate action projects that are a part of the Falomo Save the Planet Concert. It was introduced in 2019 with the goal of involving youth in discussions about environmental preservation by fusing education with artistic and musical expression.
Akinade Ibuoye (commonly known as Gaise Baba) launched the Lightout Highschool Initiative, which organises the performance every year. His goal is to encourage young people in Nigeria to take action towards sustainability by using music and art to make environmental activism more approachable and pleasurable. In order to truly reduce waste, people can implement a number of doable actions in their everyday life. For example, adopting reusable containers, bottles, and bags can drastically cut down on the amount of single-use plastic used. Methane Emissions are decreased by composting organic waste, which keeps food scraps out of landfills.
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Separating recyclables at home, such as glass, plastic, and paper, also guarantees that they can be processed correctly. Buying in bulk to cut down on Packaging waste and supporting companies that utilise Sustainable packaging are two more efficient methods to support environmental sustainability. Students at Ireti Senior Grammar School have gained a better understanding of their responsibility in addressing environmental challenges because to the integration of education, music, and practical activities. This all-encompassing strategy guarantees that the knowledge gained transcends the classroom and into communities, influencing a generation that places a high importance on sustainability.