Environment
THE United Church of Christ in Nigeria (UCCN), popularly known as HEKAN, on Friday began planting 500 trees to mitigate climate change.
The trees were planted at the church headquarters’ permanent site located at Unguwan Doma, along Kaduna Abuja Expressway.
The president of the church, Rev. Amos Kiri, said during tree planting, that climate change is real, adding that humanity must rise up to mitigate its impact or perish.
Kiri said that the trees would also be planted in all the District and Local Churches, indicating that organised seminars on deforestation and climate change will inculcate a culture of tree planning among members.
He said that the world is experiencing devastating flood and desert encroachment among other hazards which he linked to climate change and the activities of man.
“We fell trees indiscriminately, burn bushes at the slightest excuses, build houses on waterways and valleys without considering the negative consequences of such actions.
“Such actions expose us to all kinds of climate change related dangers including death,” he said.
Citing Genesis chapter 2, verse 9: he quoted the bible as saying “Out of the ground the Lord God caused every tree to grow that is pleasing to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
Kiri argued that God’s love for nature was supposed to reflect in humanity.
He said that God has equally given mankind the responsibility to care for his creation and nurture them to flourish and not to destroy them under any guise.
He pointed out that besides serving as food and medicine to mankind, trees provide fresh air to the environment, protect people’s homes from hazardous wind, and beautify the environment.
“They also help in maintaining biodiversity by providing shelter for ground animals and home to birds of all kinds, thereby making the environment rich and beautiful for the benefit of man,” he said.
The reverend also said that the tree planting was also organised to teach children and young persons the importance of planting and caring for trees.
“The Bible says: “Train the child in the way he shall grow such that when he grows old, he will not depart from it”.
“The children need to understand the importance of planting and nurturing trees as well as the dangers of failing trees indiscriminately without replacing them.
“This is why they are all here to also participate in the exercise so that will build the culture of love and care for trees and the environment,” he said.
One of the children, Filibus Bulus, 13, could not hide his excitement after planting a tree, saying, “I feel so happy that I finally have the opportunity to plant a tree.
“We need the trees not only to beautify our environment, but also to protect us from other challenges like windstorms and desertification, including erosion,” the young lad said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the church of all ages, including a four-year old Lisa Luka, participated in the tree planting exercise. (NAN)
A.I
Tags: HEKAN United Church of Christ in Nigeria
