As the Gambia joined the rest of the world to mark the World Environment Day, the director-inter sectoral network, Ms Ndey Sireng Bakurin, made this remarks at the NEA premises on the 8 of June 2009, as the national environment agency starts to celebrate a week long awareness programme in respect of the day which was initially celebrated on the 5 of June every year.

Ms. Ndey Sireng Bakurin said it is necessary for every person to realize that man and nature are inter -dependent and that the deterioration of one, would lead to the deterioration of the other. She said caring for the environment should thus become an ingrained habit of everyone. She said climate change is one of the biggest environmental issues facing the world today; and said the theme for this year is, ‘your planet needs you! Unite to combat climate change’ she stated that there is broad international scientific consensus that climate change is happening and that green house gas emissions resulting from human activity is a significant and probably dominant cause.
“We see its immediate effects in developing countries, the nations least responsible for it and least equipped to cope with its devastating consequences: more extreme weather, drought, flooding, disruption and destruction of plant and animal species, and the spread of vector-borne diseases.” She stated.
She further stated that indeed, for many of the poorest people, climate change is a life-and-death matter. It is both a major environmental challenge and one of the greatest threats to human development” she said.
On his part Dr. Baba Gana Ahmadu the FAO representative to the Gambia, said the environment is becoming under serious threat. He said land degradation, desertification are all impact of climate change. He stated that this is everybody’ problem and we need to address this challenge. He pointed out that we need to deepen our understanding on climate change and negative impact on the environment. He said his office will be willing to work with institutions which are ready to combat this global challenge and NEA is one working in that conformity.
On his part Momodou Kanteh of NEA said the activities will go for a week and every one is invited to attend any of their sessions.
He said no one should say that I am not a polluter, so is not my business. He said it has passed that stage and no one should wait to be told.