Human activity main cause of climate change
- Sandow Ali
Iduapriem (W/R), June 7,-
Ghanadot/GNA-Although climate change can be brought
about by natural factors such as dynamic processes of the
earth and variations in sunlight intensity, human activity
is the main cause of the rapid changes in the world climate.
Deforestation, as a result of bad agricultural practices,
timber exploitation, and surface mining coupled with the
burning of fossil fuels, among other things have increased
the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Reforestation is the main tool to be used to win this
battle.
Mr. Micheal Sandow Ali, The Municipal Programme Officer of
the Environmental Protection Agency said this at Anglogold
Ashanti Iduapriem Limited to climax activities towards this
year’s World Environment Day Celebration organized by the
mine.
He said it was therefore not surprising that Ghana adopted
the theme; “Plant and Nature a Tree to Green Ghana”, adding,
forest resources absorb and regulate carbon dioxide and
oxygen balance to provide a congenial atmosphere to support
all forms of life
This year’s World Environment Day was under the theme: “Your
Planet Needs you- Unite to combat climate change”.
Mr. Sandow Ali said planting and nurturing trees will enable
people to make up for the loss they had caused the planet
through the destruction of forest areas over the years and
also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the
atmosphere.
Dr. William Bannerman, the Head of Health, Safety and
Environment Anglogold Ashanti, West Africa Division said
Anglogold Ashanti had showcased its environmental
performance and commitment to its business partners by
donating trees to public agencies and communities, holding
stakeholders forums, conducting environmental competitions
among local students and creating general environmental
awareness.
On the field of climate change, he said the impacts of
climate change could be felt around the world and many
scientists predicted that there will be adverse effects.
Dr. Bannerman said Anglo Gold Ashanti has been ranked third
in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Carbon Intensive Sector
Leadership Index of the largest 100 companies listed on the
Johannesburg Stock Exchange, South Africa.
In a welcoming address, the Managing Director, Anglogold
Ashanti Iduapriem Limited, Mr David Renner said the effects
of global warming may be less dramatic in the short term but
over the next three to four decades climate change could
cause irreparable harm to the habitats upon which human
societies depended for survival.
He said it was imperative to take broad actions such as
improving the understanding of climate change issues related
to economic development, poverty alleviation, food security
and agriculture, sustainable energy, health promotion,
natural resource management and biodiversity, among others.
Science Environment Climate 2 Iduapriem
The Managing Director said Iduapriem’s commitment to manage
and deal with the most demanding challenge of the 21st
century- climate change cannot be underestimated, adding,
that the company, which had been ISO 14001 certified since
2003, has been empowering people, especially the host
communities to become active agents of sustainable
development.
As a means of bringing the future generation on board,
children’s Environmental Clubs have recently been formed to
educate and create awareness on environmental issues.
"Strategically, we are thinking of liaising with the
Municipal Authorities and chiefs and elders on the
establishment of green spaces for human well-being within
the mining catchment areas and Tarkwa township, so that
green infrastructure such as Parks, green spaces and
improvement in water drainages, to reduce the incidence of
diseases."
Osagyefo Dr. Kwamena Enimel, VI, Paramount chief of the
Wassa Fiase Traditional Area, who chaired the function
pleaded with the people to change their attitude towards the
environment and especially plant trees to stop
desertification.
He said, though surface mining destroyed the land, when
committed people are engaged they will claim and reverse the
ecosystem to its original state for posterity.
He regretted that human activities on water bodies affect
people who depend on the streams or rivers downstream,
adding that the existence of man depended mainly on water
and the forest.
GNA
