Environmental experts have called for attitudinal change and sustainable practices among Nigerians to curb ecosystem loss.

In separate interviews on Sunday in Lagos, the experts noted that all hands must be on deck to tackle human-induced environmental damage that affects the ecosystem.

Taiwo Adewole, an environmental consultant, said the human-induced environmental damage had far-reaching consequences for the ecosystem, biodiversity, and climate change.

Mr Adewole emphasised the need for sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.

“Deforestation is one of the human-induced environmental damage; another one is clearing forests for agriculture, urbanisation, and logging, leading to loss of biodiversity and increased greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

He added that another human-induced damage was pollution, which releases harmful substances into the environment, such as plastics, chemicals, and industrial waste, which contaminate air, water, and soil.

“Land degradation is also a human activity that damages soil quality, reduces fertility, and alters ecosystems.

“Burning fossil fuels and other human activities that release large amounts of greenhouse gases, leading to global warming and altered ecosystems.

“We must switch from linear to circular economy, from fossil fuel to renewable sources,” he said.

He added that people also needed to be educated and sensitised about environmental issues.

A climate change enthusiast, Emmanuel Emechete, said some implementations could help curb human-induced environmental damage.

Mr Emechete said that creating and enforcing environmental policies would help individuals and businesses practice sustainability daily.

“Without a policy or law, many would take the cheapest or most available practice or method and get away with it.

“For example, illegal waste disposal, deforestation, bush burning, gas flaring, among others,” he said.

He said encouraging and pushing for sustainable behavioural change and practices could curb human-induced environmental damage.

Mr Emechete added that the necessary infrastructure should be in place to avoid illegal waste disposal.

“If the government establishes policies prohibiting the illegal disposal of waste, then it must provide for people to do it the proper way.

“Individuals, government, families and communities must be aware of environmental issues.

“Everyone must know the policies implemented to curb and mitigate environmental issues,” he said.

(NAN)