COWA in FOU ‘C’ Owerri Joins the 1000 Tree Planting Initiative.

By Stella Okocha 

The Customs Wives Association (COWA), of Federal Operations Unit (FOU) zone ‘C’ Owerri, has also joined the Green Border programme, an initiative of the National President, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi.

The COWA Zone C Chairperson, Dr ( Mrs) Bolanle Balogun who flagged off the program , charged students of the Orogwe secondary school in Owerri west local government of Imo state to take active part in promoting green environment.

She stated that the programme which aims to plant 1000 trees in one hour would assist in nipping deforestation in the bud while addressing the effect of climate change.

According to Dr. (Mrs) Bolanle Balogun , in line with the green border initiative by the National President of COWA, the program hopes fulfill of the following objectives.

Educate and enlighten the upcoming generation (students) and the general public on the dangers of global warming and environment degradation. An initiative introduced by the COWA National president, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi.

Inform them on the need for action to address the problem in item (1) in the form of environmental sustainability.

Take part in the process of planting a thousand trees in one hour programme.

Recruit green border initiative ambassadors to help realise the dream of a sustainable environment.

Assist in renovating one block of classroom and laboratory.

According to the Chairperson, Global warming is the long-term rise in Earth’s average surface temperature, mainly caused by human activities.

At its core, global warming is driven by an amplification or enhancement of the Greenhouse Effect—a natural process where certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the Sun and keep the planet warm enough for life.

However, she noted that humans have increased the concentration of these gases, especially since the Industrial Revolution. What causes it? The main contributors are: *Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) for energy and transport.

*Deforestation (cutting down trees that absorb carbon dioxide)

*Industrial processes and agriculture

Mrs Kikelomo pointed out that these activities release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O), which trap more heat in the atmosphere.

Sitting that the effects are; 1. Global warming, which leads to noticeable changes in Earth’s climate system: 2. Rising global temperatures 3. Melting glaciers and polar ice 4. Sea-level rise 5. More extreme weather (heatwaves, storms, droughts) 6. Disruption of ecosystems and wildlife

Dr Balogun insist that Why it matters If global warming continues unchecked, it can affect food supply, water availability, human health, and entire ecosystems worldwide.

She said global warming is not just about “getting hotter”—it’s about long term changes to the planet’s climate that impact life on Earth; and environmental sustainability is the practice of using natural resources in a way that meets current needs without damaging the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

It’s a key idea within the broader field of Environmental Science. In simple terms, it means taking care of the Earth so it can keep supporting life over the long term.

To promote the initiative, the Key ideas behind environmental sustainability includes;

1. Resource conservation 2. Using water, energy, forests, and minerals wisely so they don’t run out. 3. Pollution reduction. 4. Limiting air, water, and soil pollution to protect ecosystems and human health. 5. Biodiversity protection. 6. Preserving plants, animals, and ecosystems so nature stays balanced. 7. Climate stability 8. Reducing activities that contribute to Climate Change, such as burning fossil fuels.

Everyday examples

1. Using renewable energy like solar or wind 2. Recycling and reducing waste 3. Conserving water (e.g., fixing leaks, using less) 4. Choosing sustainable products (like reusable items instead of single-use plastics) 5. Protecting forests and wildlife habitats.

She added that without environmental sustainability, natural systems can break down—leading to problems like resource shortages, extreme weather, and loss of biodiversity. Maintaining sustainability helps ensure a healthy planet, stable economies, and better quality of life for everyone.