THE CHILDREN’S ROLE IN COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE: A RECAP OF TRIPLE GREEN ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION’S (TGED FOUNDATION) ESSP INITIATIVE IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ADO EKITI.

ESSP 2023 picture taken @ CAC Community Nursery and Primary School, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

Climate change is no longer a topic for the distant future; its impacts are evident in the present. From shifting weather patterns to rising sea levels, from disruptions in food chains to threats to human health – the world is witnessing the effects of a rapidly changing climate. In this grim backdrop, the role of education becomes pivotal. It not only informs but also empowers individuals, especially the young, to make meaningful contributions towards addressing this crisis.

Recognizing the power of education, the Triple Green Environmental Development Foundation team moved the ESSP initiative to Public Primary Schools in Ado Ekiti City, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The project’s primary focus was to instill in school pupils an understanding of climate change, its drivers, consequences, and most importantly, the potential solutions.

The ESSP strategic approach to education was noteworthy. Initially, a pre-test was administered to gauge the pupils’ existing knowledge about climate change. This baseline data served two purposes: to tailor the presentation to the students’ understanding level and to measure the effectiveness of the program later.

ESSP 2023 picture taken at St. Jonathan Memorial Nursery and Primary School, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

The ESSP’s team then engaged the students with a presentation. A vital takeaway from the presentation was the understanding that while nature is vast and resilient, human actions in the recent past have accelerated environmental degradation. This calls for immediate introspection and corrective measures.

The subsequent video presentation served as a visual reinforcement of the concepts discussed. Visuals have a profound impact, and for the young students, it was a medium to truly grasp the urgency of the situation.

ESSP 2023 picture taken at AUD Pilot Nursery and Primary School, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

The post-test that followed the presentation and video was not just a mere formality. It was a measure of the effectiveness of the teaching methods, the absorption capacity of the students, and the potential areas of improvement for future sessions.

ESSP 2023 picture taken @ St Fidelis Catholic Nursery and Primary School, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

But perhaps the most heartening aspect of the entire program was the pupils’ proactive approach. Their questions were a reflection of their concern, curiosity, and eagerness to be a part of the solution. The ESSP team’s response was apt, underscoring the fact that change starts at the grassroots level. Today’s children, with the right guidance, can become tomorrow’s leaders in environmental conservation.

ESSP 2023 picture taken @ Basiri Community Nursery and Primary School, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

In conclusion, as global communities rally against the threat of climate change, localized efforts like those of the TGED Foundation play a crucial role. They not only educate but also foster a sense of responsibility and commitment. For a safer, healthier planet, it’s imperative to sow the seeds of environmental consciousness early, and with endeavors like ESSP, the future looks promising.

ESSP 2023 picture taken @ Basiri Community Nursery and Primary School, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

PRIMARY SCHOOLS ATTENDED TO IN ADO EKITI METROPOLIS FOR THE ESSP PROJECT	DATE
CAC Community Nursery & Primary School	20^TH JUNE 2023
Saint Jonathan Memorial Nursery & Primary School	22^ND JUNE 2023
Saint Fidelis Catholic Nursery & Primary School	22^ND JUNE 2023
AUD Pilot Nursery & Primary School	26^TH JUNE 2023
Basiri Community Nursery & Primary School	4^TH JULY 2023

Join us To Celebrate The World Clean-Up Day 2023

World Cleanup Day 2023 is Coming! Let’s Make a Difference!

Join us on September 16th, 2023 for a day dedicated to cleaning up our beautiful planet. Together, we can create a cleaner, greener world for future generations.

Check out our flyer above for all the details and get ready to be a part of something amazing!

Spread the word and bring your friends and family. Together, we can create a cleaner and more sustainable world.

Let’s do this!

EARTH DAY 2023

COMMEMORATING EARTH DAY DATE: 22^ND OF APRIL 2023

A group of people standing outside

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INTRODUCTION

Earth Day is an international day devoted to our planet. It draws attention to the environment and promotes conservation and sustainability. World’s Earth Day is observed annually on 22^nd of April to create awareness among people about environmental protection. Every year the day is celebrated under a specific theme and this year’s theme is “Invest In Our Planet”.

A clean environment is the key to the existence and survival of life on planet earth. Maintaining a clean environment reduces pollution, preserves our biosphere, protects endangered species and helps preserve the earth’s natural resources. A cleanup program cannot only reduce pollution, but by sorting neighborhood trash and recycling as much as possible can help to teach residents about recycling and other activities that will reduce the neighborhood carbon footprints. Cleanliness is important for it builds up a healthy environment that facilitates physical and mental well-being and growth. Every piece of trash that is taken away to be recycled or deposited in a landfill that is properly managed means there is one less dangerous item for birds, turtles or whales to swallow. Cleanups also restore these creature’s habitats.

It is based on the foregoing that Triple Green Environmental Development Foundation (TGED Foundation) in collaboration with other stakeholders commemorate the World Earth Day 2023 with the theme “INVEST IN OUR PLANET” by organizing cleanup & sensitization programme at Oja Oba axis of Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. The program was aimed at educating and sensitizing the people and traders in the market on how to keep our environment clean. The sensitization was also taken to the car park (Old garage) whereby the group also sensitized the drivers on how to manage their waste. Market women and road transport workers who have been identified as the highest generators of waste in Ekiti State were sensitized in different Nigerian languages on the need for a clean and healthy environment for the betterment of the people in Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole.

STAKEHOLDERS IN ATTENDANCE

Ekiti State Waste Management Agency (EKSWAMA)
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA Ekiti State Office)
National Environmental Safety, Regulation and Enforcement Agency (NESREA Ekiti Office)
Ado Metropolitan club
Ekiti Unique Leo club
Ekiti State University Leo club
FESSU EKSU
JCIN EKSU

ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT

Awareness creation & Sensitization.
Clean-up activities.

WELCOMING ADDRESS/ GOODWILL MESSAGES

The programme started at 9am with Mr. Omojola Odunayo representing TGED Foundation Team Lead introducing the Foundation and explaining briefly the theme of the Earth Day 2023 to everyone present at the program. He also went further to thank everyone at the program for taking time out of their busy schedule to attend the program. This was followed by goodwill messages by the representatives of some of the invited organizations.

Mr. Akinola Gbenga from NESREA in his speech addressed the people and told them waste is not a waste until it is wasted. He said it is very important to dispose of our waste properly. A properly disposed waste does not only help the environment clean, it also helps build our mental health and keep us away from deadly disease. He went further to state that when waste is not disposed properly, it can leak harmful pollutants into the air, soil and water and this can cause environmental damages as well as impacting people’s health negatively. Indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainages also causes erosion and flooding when they block the drainages rendering us homeless. Proper waste disposal helps to prevent this.

Engr. Olofin Olaleke, the Director of Operation of EKSWAMA, in his message, appreciated TGED Foundation for organizing the sensitization programme, he also acknowledged the organization present for the cleanup/awareness programme. He went further to explain why it is necessary to keep the environment clean and how to manage our waste by disposing of them appropriately to avoid erosion and contaminating the environment, preventing blockage of the drainages during the rainy season.

All the organizations that came for the programme moves round the market, clean it up and also sensitize the traders on the importance of taking care of their environment, encouraging them to always keep their environment clean and dispose of their refuse properly.