Environmental specialist calls for collective action against environmental degradation

17 September 2025, 11:17 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The environmental specialist, Kawooya Ivan, has today, during a media briefing in Kampala, called upon the public to actively participate in the fight against environmental degradation, noting that it poses a serious threat to ecosystems and human survival.

Kawooya explained that environmental degradation refers to the deterioration of the natural environment, including air, water, soil, and living organisms. He said it mainly arises from human activities that disrupt the delicate balance of ecosystems.

According to him, the major causes of environmental degradation include:

• Pollution: Release of toxic substances into the air, water, and soil, which harms both humans and wildlife.
• Deforestation: Clearance of forests for agriculture, logging, and urbanization, leading to biodiversity loss.
• Climate Change: Global warming and extreme weather events fueled by fossil fuel burning and deforestation.
• Overexploitation of Resources: Unsustainable hunting, fishing, and extraction of natural resources, threatening species survival.

On the effects, Kawooya highlighted loss of biodiversity, water scarcity, soil erosion, and human health risks such as respiratory diseases and cancer.

He further emphasized that tackling this crisis requires sustainable practices like renewable energy adoption, conservation of habitats, climate action through reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and enhanced environmental education.

Kawooya urged individuals to actively engage in what he termed a “war” against environmental degradation by reducing, reusing, and recycling materials, conserving energy and water, using public transport, and supporting eco-friendly brands.

He also reminded the public that government has been consistently sensitizing citizens about the dangers of environmental degradation but insisted that the fight requires joint responsibility from both authorities and individuals