From the creation of a new national park in Costa Rica to the shut down of outdated production facilities in China and environmental policy changes in India, the world celebrated World Environment Day 2019 with much-needed action to preserve our planet. At our Industrial Area in Abuloma, Port Harcourt, Nestoil Group came together to champion the planting of new trees that will serve to fight air pollution.
Why are trees important in the fight against air pollution? Trees naturally consume numerous air pollutants, including ozone and nitrogen oxides. Nitric oxides, which are converted to nitric acid in the atmosphere, are absorbed by trees through their pores. The concentration of ozone, which is a significant constituent of air pollution damaging to humans, would be much higher today if not for trees.
Trees also cool the environment by converting liquid water from the soil to water vapour. This system reduces reliance on mechanical means of cooling, such as the use of air conditioners, which emit air pollutants.
Renowned scholar Benjamin Ndukwu, who is a professor of Plant and Biological Science, and Director, Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development (INRES) in Port Harcourt gave the World Environment Day lecture to a very engaging audience. Also part of the celebration was an essay writing competition involving secondary schools in Abuloma. The winner, Miss Ibem Chinecherem Blessing from the Federal Government Girls College, shared her thoughts on how we could beat air pollution in Nigeria.
Nestoil remains committed to promoting sustainable business practices in order to preserve our environment.
