We’ve planted 4.3m trees to counter climate change – Lagos govt

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI
LAGOS — Ahead of the July 14, 2013 annual tree planting day
celebration inLagos, the state government, yesterday, said over 4.3
million trees had been planted in the first five years of its tree
planting campaign as part of measures to reduce the impacts of global
climate change.
The government also said the state had over 170 parks and gardens
across the state and that additional three were under construction in
Badagry, Alimosho and Ipakodo, Ikorodu axis of the state.
It will be recalled that governor, Babatunde Fashola flagged-off the
tree planting campaign in September 2008 along Ikorodu axis of the
state, "with the aim to orientate residents of the state on the
importance of tree planting, and as a mitigating measure to climate
change."
Head of consultant to the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency,
LASPARK, Dr.Titi Anibaba, who disclosed this in an interview with
Vanguard, said the theme for this year's tree planting day
celebration was; 'Green was peace'.
Explaining the choice of the theme for this year's celebration,
Anibaba said; "Planting of trees will create a better wellbeing for
the residents and it is the cheapest solution to mitigate climate
change."
He noted that both; "human and tree needs each other for survival.
"Human needs oxygen which is the waste product of tree, while tree
needed carbon monoxide which is alsowaste from human being for
survival."
The theme was also chosen; "to re-sensitise the public on the need to
live with green especially planting tree, desist from dumping of
refuse into the drain, conserve energy and others."