Experts in the environment sector have condemned the indiscriminate use of hazardous chemicals and waste dumping in the environment.

The experts made the call while presenting papers at a one-day workshop on ‘Role of Journalists in the Quest for Sustainable Environment’ in Enugu State, decrying the environmental damage caused by human activities.

The workshop was organised by the Resource and Environmental Policy Research Centre (REPRC), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Environment for Development (EfD).

Emmanuel Oladipo, Chairman, Advisory Panel of REPRC-EfD, presenting his paper on ‘Environmental Issues in Nigeria and the Role of Journalists’ in dealing with the challenges, said an environment is a place human cultures could develop.

Mr Oladipo explained that human activities were a major concern, adding that the activities have destroyed the diversity, complexity, and functions of the biophysical/ecological life support system.

He added that the consequences of the human activities had also led to the loss of biodiversity and long-term damage to ecosystems, land degradation, among others in the country.

“The environment has been abused by different actors, from individuals to government, both economically, physically and socially,” he said.

The chairman called on Nigerians to change from such ugly activities and make better use of available resources to improve the quality of human life and ecosystems.

He also urged the stakeholders and governments to collaborate for training and creating effective awareness to the public on the importance of improving a healthy environment.

He stated that the awareness would help educate people and create a meaningful partnership among organisations and communities to ensure effective management of the environment for sustainable development.

Petra Hanson, the EfD web editor, who presented a paper on using EfD as a resource in environmental reporting through virtual, said journalists should report evidence-based information.

Mr Hanson noted that a good report should carry a unique database and have good topics for research, adding that such would give journalists easy and accurate reporting.

(NAN)