Nigeria: Going Against the Trees

The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Environment has called for an alternative energy policy in order to decrease deforestation. The ministry released a report that said Nigeria loses about 600 meters yearly of its arable landmass to desert encroachment.

Rotimi Ajayi, special assistant to the Minister of Environment John Odey, said: “Deforestation has been estimated to contribute not less than 20% to climate change globally and Nigeria ranks the highest in Africa.”

A statement issued by Ajayi noted that the ministry will attempt to push for an alternative energy policy as well as educating residents on the affects of deforestation.

"We should also embark on campaigns for the people to start planting fuel woods for their domestic use, in order to conserve our forest reserves. Once this is done, we would be able to have sustainable forest management system in place," he said.