WAEC English Language 2018 Theory — Question 3

Model answer

Number 4, Falade Street, Elegushi Close, Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos. 14th December, 2018. The Chairman, The Environmental Protection Agency, Ikeja, Lagos. Dear Sir, THE EFFECTS OF ILLEGAL FELLING OF TREES I write as a concerned citizen about the illegal felling of trees, which is not only disconcerting but requires immediate intervention from your end, so that our precious environment will not be sacrificed for the purpose of profit. The culture of deforestation has had tremendous consequences, as everyone is seriously affected by the act. Deforestation has led to the extinction of some endangered species and made millions of species lose their natural habitats, invariably leading to loss of biodiversity. Also, there has been a disruption of the water cycle due to the felling of trees, as deforestation has made us susceptible to increased greenhouse gas emissions, which is inimical to everyone. Furthermore, soil erosion, flooding and global warming are the attendant consequences of indiscriminate felling of trees. This culture needs to be addressed, as its side-effects are enormously sinister. However, perpetrators of this act might have reasons for their actions, as some claim to use these trees for wood, paper, timber and fuel products. Also, some fell trees so as to convert the lands for farming purposes, construction of ranches, and other industrial and commercial purposes like mining and oil exploration. While these reasons may sound plausible, we must understand that we must never sacrifice our environment for the purpose of profit, as the natural beauty of an environment is hugely fostered by trees. Hence, the following suggestions are proffered to prevent indiscriminate felling of trees. Firstly, there should be an aggressive sensitisation on various media outlets to enlighten people about the consequences of felling trees. Adequate enlightenment would make people have the requisite knowledge about the consequences of their actions, as no one would hide under the canopy of ignorance because deforestation encourages flooding, soil erosion and disruption of the water cycle, which are phenomena that have negative effects on us. More so, people need to be encouraged to start the culture of planting trees; this can be fostered when people in authority, religious leaders, and leaders in various industries plant trees and preach about it, which would have a ripple effect on people within their sphere of influence who would follow their footsteps. Children have huge influence on their parents and are thus veritable tools of influence. Teachers and school authorities should teach and inculcate the act of tree planting in their students and encourage them to practice this act in their respective homes. With this, parents would learn the culture, and there would be a system of continuity as children become worthy ambassadors of tree planting to the younger and future generation. Areas that continually fell trees should be sanctioned, as that would serve as a deterrent to future perpetrators. For those who would want to fell trees for paper reasons, they could be advised to go paperless and recycle their products. I am persuaded that if these suggestions are religiously adhered to, our environment will continue to flourish, and everyone will see it as a duty to safeguard their environment, as we are our environment. Yours faithfully, Sulieman Danjuma