Go Green

REUBEN RAMBO

I am often asked why I strongly believe in the power of youths or their abilities to transform. My answer to this question is often I am a young person, I know how driven and passionate young people are about leadership and I know how industrious they can be when they are given the right resources and education—thus, they are the catalyst for the sustainable future we all crave.

youths are tomorrow’s leaders hence, they have every right to create their future and their children’s future.

Reuben Rambo-Environmentalist, TPG Fellow Liberia

Youths are the right forces we need to drive and call the change we want, all we have to do is give them a source of empowerment, for example, education. Growing up in my parent’s home in the West-central potion of Liberia, on a plantation my father worked as an Accountant, I was immensely drawn to nature. I vividly remember our home was surrounded by rubber trees and bushes, and our yard had this beautiful-grassy landscape where my friends and I would play Volley Ball and water fight on sunny days. Sometimes, we would go into the bushes and play hunting. these are some of the best days of my life and up till today, I carry the memories with me clearly as though it was yesterday. I feared that my children and my grandchildren will probably not have the opportunity to embrace nature like I did, I fear that if our actions aren’t sustainable in the soonest possible time there will be no grass, woods, lake or some creatures for my children to pet. For a long time, I craved to make a difference as a young person I decided to use my education in Environmental Science to create more and more awareness on the importance of nature and the consequences of anthropogenic impacts on the environment.

Like me, other young people are inspired to call the change for a sustainable future but they lack the skills, the education and the platform. I am fortunate to have a college education in Environmental Science and to be a part of a network of youths that are striving to change the world, but what about those indigenous youth who don’t have any education or skills to protect their livelihood? what about those young people whose lives are shattered by war and poverty? they are the most vulnerable when it comes to the impact of climate change. Indigenous people and their generation have depended on nature for absolutely everything, from medicine to food, water and shelter; nature has organically provided for their needs. When it comes to Climate Change resilience, indigenous communities are mostly affected because of their dependence and close relations with the environment. What makes it harder for these groups of people to be a part of the solutions is the fact that they have been politically and economically marginalized. they lack the capacity and capital to build long lasting resilience against the impact of climate change and other human induced changes. the same goes for under-developed and developing nations around the world.

I am saying all this because I believe that my approach to minimizing the impact of climate change and protecting the environment is highly effective and efficient. When I started Go Green Africa, my mind was on two things: youths and education. In a nutshell, youths for change and education for empowerment. I live in Liberia, one of the poorest countries in the world that have been hit by 14 years of civil war and almost four years of the epidemic and now Covid. My country like any other developing country…or maybe worse has a sanitation problem; waste management problem etc. The total population is 5,302,681 (Last UN Estimate July 1, 2022). Youths make up 58% of the total population. Of this 58%, 25% are indigenous youths. in this light, I realized it makes more sense to incorporate youths from diverse backgrounds, from different socioeconomic statuses and precisely from different tribes to come together learned together and blend ideas to foster environmental change through community engagement, quick impact projects, mentorship, and awareness and environmental literacy. Youths empowering youths, youths mentoring the younger generation and youth engaging their community to call the change. We started by engaging Youth at the University level to implement projects and mentor and teach High School students and indigenous communities Environmental Literacy.

Other approaches are functional and effective as well, but I believe the involvement of youths is integral and is by far the most effective and potent way of changing the dynamics. Youths should be amongst world leaders at the table at Stockholm+50, they should also be at the United Nations General Assembly voting on bills and formulating policies. world leaders and international organizations should invest in education for youth.

In this essay, Reuben made striking points on how climate change effects the livelihood of people in developing countries and developed countries.

Our ultimate goal at GGA is to breed a generation of robust Change Makers through community services and volunteerism. The world needs the drastic involvement of youths, we believe that youths have the capacities to transform the current status of this world. thus, we encourage and mobilize University and High School students to join our quest to save our beautiful planet.

We are very conscious that a lot of people don’t believe in climate change and environmental degradation- we realize that this is because they lack the proper education and presentation. A group of robust change makers are capable of educating people about the realities of our soon-to-die planet. if the education is introduced from High School level to University’s that’s a start-up for all of us. Christopher Flomo, one of our volunteer who studies Environmental Science at the Cuttington University says he’s thrilled to be apart of something for the first time that’s creating such a tremendous-sustainable change in the environmental section. He clearly confessed that he never had an idea on climate change in High School and seeing how we are engaging high school students is amazing and he is proudly encouraging every young person to get involve.

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We decide to start the day earlier this Year. On April 10 we implemented a beach cleanup and awareness at YWCA Beach that’s occasionally used as dumpsite.

A recent study by UK environmental consultancy, Eunomia, found that only about 1% of the 12.2
million tons of plastic dumped annually into the ocean ends up floating. Another 5% is deposited
onto beaches and 94% ends up sinking to the ocean floor where it’s almost impossible to retrieve.
It’s estimated that there is already 70kg of plastic trash per square kilometer on the seabed. These
are life-threatening environmental concerns for marine animals, and health hazards from eating
seafood

In view of the above, and consistent with our mission, GGA will be implementing a beach awareness and cleaning project at the YWCA beach located at Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia that is occasionally used as a dumpsite), on the 10 of April 2021, under the theme, “prevent while you can”. This project is aimed at informing the public about the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy ocean and the impacts thereof.

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May 2,2020

*EFFECTS OF COVID-19 GLOBALLY*

Introduction

The first case of Covid-19 was discovered on December 31 in Wuhan,China.

Since then the disease (which has been called a modern day plague) has spread rapidly through-out the globe and caused the death of approximately 300,000 people.

However, there are many effect of coronavirus posses:

There are several aspects in which the Coronavirus will affect the world globally but due to the fact that my main focus is in Occupational Health and Safety, I will be writing on the mental and psychological effects that Covid-19 may have on the global population.

Quite recently there have been lockdown orders throughout every country with a case of Covid-19. 

These orders have caused people to be kept indoors while the situation is to be handled by the professionals.

Now the thing about the human brain is..it can adapt to change BUT everyone’s rate of adaptation varies.

Ranging from the rise in domestic violence case to the rise in suicide cases, the presence of Covid-19 has had an impact on several people- an impact that could prove long lasting.

Many people use their day to day lives, hobbies as escape from their own thoughts/realities (haunting thoughts). 

This lockdown period has forced everyone to suspend all extra curricular activities that, in some cases, eases the pain of reality.

Now the aftermath of this is quite obvious.

Depending on the brutality of one’s negative thoughts, one could be lead to self-harm , harm to others or even worse suicide.

Realistically not everyone has the same coping mechanism, therefore, there are certain methods people used to cope before Covid-19 began. 

Such as : Sex, gyming, binge-drinking, swimming,theater,etc.

This also applies to people with anger issues (men/women who physically abuse their spouse or children).

 Conclusion

There is no direct solution to this issue.

It’s common to go through potholes in life and each individual will find a private solution if need be. What we CAN do it create safe channels,( suicide hotlines, domestic violence hotlines, police patrol, etc) to ensure that on the surface level no one is actively endangering anyone or themselves.

Amongst the world leading Environmental problems, Ozone Depletion has been one of the most difficult to combat and difficult to occur.

What are Ozones?

Ozones(O3) are layer found in the stratosphere that filters the Ultra-violet Radiation that comes to earth. The ozones are tiny gases that are cluster together purposely to shield the earth from harmful radiations.

What is Ozone Depletion?

Ozone Depletion refers to the wearing away of the ozone layer due to the harmful releasing of green house gases that are chlorinated, or high is chlorine. The releasing of CFCs ( chlorofluorocarbons) in to the atmosphere.

CFCs are heavy gases; heavier then Normal gases which eventually reaches the stratosphere and interact with sunlight turning it to chlorine atom that effects the Ozones.

Substances like : solvent, refrigerator, insulin foam, soap etc contains CFCs.

Effects of Ozone Depletion

There are varieties of effect that Ozone Depletion cause. These effects includes: Immune system disorder, Skin cancer, cataract, Throat problem, Birth defects, increase UV rays etc.

How can we minimize CFCs emissions?

Buy air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment that do not use HCFCs as refrigerant. Buy aerosol products that do not use HCFCs or CFCs as propellants. Conduct regular inspection and maintenance of air-conditioning and refrigeration appliances to prevent and minimize refrigerant leakage.

What is being done about CFCs?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and halons destroy the earth’s protective ozone layer, which shields the earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV-B) rays generated from the sun. CFCs and HCFCs also warm the lower atmosphere of the earth, changing global climate. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) also act to warm the planet. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is working with industry, residents and government to reduce the damage done to the ozone layer and global climate by CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs and related chemicals.

Conclusion

Ozone Depletion is an alarming global Environmental issue. The whole wide world is vulnerable to ozone depletion, The enormous emission of CFC and the heavily usage of CFCs containing products should be minimize.

Reference

https://www.epd.gov.hk › epd › air

Pollution is one of the most difficult global issues to combat- written by clement Odoh- Environmental science student of Cuttington university

*Pollution*

The word pollution comes from a Latin word polluere, simply meaning contamination. Hence in layman terms, Pollution is something that contaminates the Environment. The presence of harmful substances in the air, land and water, which can have an adverse effect on Living beings and the Environment is pollution. Referring to harmful gases, fluid and pernicious matters that are released in the air, on land and in water, I would like to discuss the various types of pollution, their causes and solutions.

*Note* : The causes of Pollution are not just limited to Fossil fuels and carbon emissions. There are many types of pollution that includes chemical pollution into bodies of water and soil through improper disposal practices and agriculture activities, and noise and light pollution created by Cities and Urbanization as a result of pollution growth.

Air Pollution

There are two main types of Air pollutants, which are Primary and Secondary. Primary air pollutants are emitted directly from their sources while Secondary air pollutants are emitted when Primary air pollutants react in the atmosphere. Means of air pollution in our country Liberia today involved: The emission of Fossil fuels and other toxic gases into the atmosphere by overused cars(what a typical Liberian would call a second hand car) plays a major role in the destruction of the Liberian Ozone layer. This depleted Ozone causes intensive sun rays on the surface and leave to immense temperature. Other means of air pollution in my County and Liberia at large includes: bush burning, electricity produced from Generators, unlawful chemical disposal, deforestation etc..High level of air pollution can cause increase in heart attacks, wheezing, coughing, breathing difficulties, and irritation if eyes, nose and throat.

Water Pollution

Nutrient pollution is caused by wastewater, sewage and fertilizer. The high level of nutrient in these sources ends up in bodies of water which promotes algae and weed growth automatically causing oxygen depletion in the water rendering aquatic organisms dead and making it Unsafe for drinking. In our various communities today we find out that water bodies have turned to dump sites, laundry and automobile wash. These practices leads to water Pollution and destroys nutrients present in these water bodies and causing the rapid spread of sickness in our country and communities. If these practices are not prohibited sooner than later there will be no more safe water found in the country and this will cause a serious disaster- which will eventually leads to drought.

Land and Soil pollution

The destruction of land as the results of human’s activities and the misuse of land resources. Nowadays in our various communities a dump site is a must find because people keep polluting the environment by dumping waste materials everywhere. Soil is also polluted by underground leaking septic tanks, sewage systems and leaching of harmful substances from landfill and direct discharge of wastewater by industrial plants into rivers and Oceans. Desertification land pollution leads to desertification; which is, when a land losses its ability to hold nutrients and prompt plant growth due to harmful chemical spill or over grazing.

Land pollution can cause different skin diseases as well as different types of cancer and poor plants growth automatically leading to hunger and starvation.

Sound pollution and light pollution.

Noise is considered an environmental pollutant caused by household sources, social events, commercial and Industrial activities and Transportation. Noise is a form of pollution because is causes stress, anxiety, headache, irritability, hearing loss and sleep loss that causes reduction in productivity.

Light Pollution is caused by the prolonged and excessive use of artificial lights that can cause health problems in humans and disrupt natural cycles, including wildlife activities. Sources of Light Pollution are electronic billboard, night street functions, extremely bright bulbs etc..

Conclusion

Pollution of all types is one of the leading factor the poses great thread to the wellbeing of the environment and human livelihood. It’s also one of the world leading global significant issue that has to be tackle.

Pollution needs to be drastically reduced because it’s destroying our communities and country we live in, contaminating our food and water cause sicknesses, diseases, and cancer in humans and wildlife and destroying the air we breathe and the atmosphere that protects us from harmful Ultra-violet Radiations.

It is the responsibility of every living person in Liberia and the world at large to fight against pollution and with the population ever increasing it will only get worse unless we do something about it NOW.