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RE: Let's remind ourselves about deforestation and its effects
The best day to plant a tree is twenty years ago; the next best day is today. But most of my people say a place full of trees is underdeveloped and still "bush". To make it "developed", we need to cut down all trees and replace it with concrete floor :)
The funny but sad reality of how many view deforestation in Nigeria. A good article.
I am very surprised by this statement Green. I think I generalized the perception and care that you guys have towards the environment to all Nigerians. So, my guess is that recycling is not part of the daily culture there, quite yet?
@abigail-dantes, recycling and environment is not something that is considered to be of utmost importance. There are still a lot of things the country is grappling with. Chief amongst which is the massive unemployment, lack of power, poor road network, poor emergency services, healthcare in a comatose condition, security issues in some part of the country (especially the Northern regions), etc. All these make environment come to about No 24 in the list of the government's priority. There is still some part of the country that is still very much underdeveloped. By underdevelop I mean areas that are just with no roads, forests, etc. On the issue of recycling, we do not have a culture that thinks, let me recycle this plastic instead of dumping it on the nearest dumpster. What is happening now is that people have made a business of recycling. You can see many young men moving around and picking up plastics in the dumpster, along the road, or just about anywhere they could lay their hands on to sell it to recycling plants later. Metal/scrap dealers are making a killing too. For instance, a 63kg bad batteries can be bought by these dealers for about $50. That may not seem like much till you realise the government's monthly minimum wage is less than $100.
The only time you'd see environmental activities is when oil companies like Shell have a disastrous spill that renders many communities land useless in the oil-rich state of the Naija Delta by destroying their means of livelihood such as poisoning rivers and killing fish in the process plus destruction of their farmlands.
There is this misconception that we still have a lot of forests, so there is no need to conserve any. But this is not very true. I remember the bushes in my hometown I used to explore as an adventurous 7-year-old during Christmas holidays. Those bushes are now "developed." Cut down, with concrete houses in their place; the forests are gradually disappearing that I'm afraid we may have to show our children forest very soon in a forest reserve.
Oh Green, thank you you for this most amazing reply. What an in depth insight into your country and culture. At times, it felt as if I was reading about Brazil. Green, if the monthly minimum wage is less than $100, what is the cost of living?
Cost of living differs depending on the part of the country you are in. Some states are much cheaper than the other. If you, for instance, stay in Lagos, a single person may spend an average of between $6 to $9 daily. A young family of two kids spends between $11 to $15 daily. I'm assuming you cook and don't eat out, if you do, that amount doubles :)
The minimum wage is a joke. If you are paid only the minimum wage, you can survive in some states where you don't spend money on transport; you have opportunities to grow your food and live in your own house or where you don't pay rent. The cheapest average yearly house rent (2 rooms apartment) alone in Lagos is at least $700.
The amount may appear "cheap" but when you consider people get paid $50 or less for a month, then you can then imagine $700 is quite a large sum of money.
Oh ... wow ...
Thank you @greenrun. I stay in Osun where about 50% of the landmass is green vegetation. SOmeone that stays in lagos where less than 10% of the landmass is green would be laughing at me for staying in the bush. Just imagine that kind of mind set.
You enjoy the very best of environment. Clean air, super cool environment, less pollution (both noise and air), less traffic, less crime, etc. You, my friend, is enjoying the best of the country.
I am telling you but a typical Lagosian will call me 'local'. :)