Some environmental experts in Abuja on Sunday urged Nigerians to restore forest habitats in their homes to mitigate the current heatwave from climate change.

They made the call in separate interviews with journalists due to the recent heatwave in the country.

Michael David, the executive director, Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), said the heatwave was the drying of streams and rivers.

He urged Nigerians to plant more trees and restore forest habitats in homes to mitigate climate change.

“To address the impact of heatwaves and the drying of rivers and streams requires a more comprehensive strategy on climate adaptation process, water management and generally ecosystem restoration,” said Mr David.

Mr David said there was an urgent need to safeguard water resources for future generations.

“Heatwave exposes to drought and contributes to health problems in humans and wildlife, leading to high rates of disease.

“Heatwaves cause a lot of socioeconomic impacts on communities, water scarcity, raises a lot of conflict in communities; livelihoods are affected as well as animals and farmers. Communities are also displaced, leading to migration of people,” he stated.

Ene Owoh, the national coordinator, Clean-up Nigeria (CUN), said it was important to note that water and climate change were intellect.

“Climate change affects water supply in a number of ways, from the present unpredictable rainfalls to the depreciating water levels in streams.

“The rising sea levels, the cases of flood and drought, all of these boil down to climate change.

“The truth be told, climate change has altered the availability of water, thus making it less plentiful in the world.

“Climate change has caused water shortage, drought and the decrease of agricultural produce.

“Let us bear it in mind that any increase in temperature level will have consequences on water level, as well as human beings,” he stated.

(NAN)