Mr. Nurudden Bello, a climatologist and Director of African Climate Reporters (ACR), has called on residents of northern Nigeria to embrace tree planting as a vital tool for combating environmental issues such as windstorms, deforestation, desertification, and erosion.
Speaking in Kaduna during an interview at the Womenhood School of Health Science and Technology, Bello stressed the need for individuals and communities to plant trees around homes, schools, markets, hospitals, and places of worship.
He noted that planting trees can significantly reduce the impact of wind and water erosion, which has devastated several communities, especially in Southern Kaduna. In places like Kasuwan Magani, homes and places of worship have been destroyed by windstorms—damage that could have been mitigated by tree cover.
“Trees help protect the environment by acting as natural barriers against strong winds and preventing soil erosion,” Bello explained. “Their roots hold the soil together, particularly in areas with weak or loose soil types.”
Bello emphasized that tree planting is low-cost and offers long-term benefits, including shade, food, and environmental stability.
He encouraged the planting of medium-sized trees and shrubs as effective and manageable options for erosion control.
He also urged government agencies and environmental stakeholders to support renewable energy alternatives, such as fuel-efficient cooking stoves, by making them more affordable for women in both rural and urban areas.
Bello warned that the widespread use of firewood, charcoal, and timber is endangering forest resources in the region.
He called on the government to reduce the prices of gas and kerosene to discourage tree cutting and promote cleaner energy use.
“Trees are more than just part of our landscape—they’re a natural defense against many environmental threats,” he concluded.
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