Enact Environment Ordinance on Tree planting to save Environment Government tells Local Govt

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

Local Government across the country have been told to come up with ordinances  on tree planting as one of the mechanism to protect the Environment which is under threat  thus exposing the country to the consequences of Climate change.

While presenting the UGX40.5 trillion Budget for the financial year 2019/2020 Speech at Serena Hotel the Minister of Finance Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaija said The Country has lost hectares of its Environment through Destruction of Wetlands, depletion of Forest cover both under the central management and private one but his comes with great Impact on the people livelihood thus the need to protect the Environment at grass root level.

Uganda,s Minister for Finance Matia Kasaijja 

“The destruction of Wetlands  adversely Impacts  the welfare of our  people in the many ways such as water shortage  or no water  at all  for domestic use  and production  increased temperature  and severe  long droughts , over flooding among other key impacts. It’s on this back ground that Reforestation and Restoration of wetlands must be under taken as a matter of urgency” The Minister Directed to the concerns Agencies.

He added by explaining that  the destruction of  wetlands and  forest covers  will be penalized  through  the enforcement of  environmental  Laws  and regulations  thus local governments must  enact  and enforce  ordinances  on tree planting   efficient  waste management  and wetlands conservation.

Other strategies that should be Implemented to save the country’s, Biodiversity include the ban  on use of harmful  materials  such as  environmentally destructive  polythene  bags among other non-degradable materials which are highly used by the general Public

    

World Environment Day, the World focused on Air Pollution which is becoming a, Health threat

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

Governments, industry, communities and individuals around the world today commemorated World Environment Day, the United Nations’ biggest annual event for positive environmental action, encouraging worldwide awareness and commitment to protect our planet.

This year’s celebrations, held under the theme ‘Beat Air Pollution’, called upon people to explore renewable energy and green technologies, and improve air quality in cities and regions across the world. More than 6 billion people – one-third of them children – regularly breathe air that is so polluted it puts their health and well-being at risk.

Polluted city like this one creates Health risks to the Occupants 

Spearheaded by China, the official host of the global World Environment Day celebrations, UN Environment’s campaign to #BeatAirPollution culminated into a record number of registered events and commitments.

“Protecting our blue skies may be difficult, but our future relies on it,” Joyce Msuya, acting Executive Director of UN Environment, said during the global celebrations in Hangzhou.

She added by saying  “And they are our blue skies. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Beijing or Beirut, when we look up we see the same sky. And I think when we look to China, we see many examples of how to protect it.”

Over the past decade, the Chinese government has taken drastic measures to limit air pollution in its biggest cities, bringing back blue skies in Beijing, Shanghai and other megacities, benefitting the health of millions.

By implementing far-reaching measures at the national- and state-level government, such as 100 per cent electric public transportation, curtailing outputs from factories and allocating more than US$10 billion to address air quality, several cities saw the concentration of PM 2.5 drop dramatically.

The President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, conveyed his congratulations on the occasion of World Environment Day, saying, 

“Humankind only has one planet. Environmental conservation and sustainable development are the common responsibility of all countries. Ecological civilization is built into China’s national development architecture and strategy. China will work with any and all to implement the 2030 agenda to protect our only planet.”