By Nformi Sonde Kinsai
Biodiversity conservation stakeholders in Cameroon are unanimous that the future health of planet earth would largely depend on the nature friendly actions of today’s youth.
Participants at Earth Hour event marching for biodiversity conservation
The stakeholders respectively spoke to reporters at the Multisport Complex of the Yaounde V Council on March 28, 2026 during activities to mark this year’s Earth Hour which was in its 20th edition.
The National Director of the World Wide Fund for Nature, WWF Cameroon, Alain Bernard Ononino stated that children are the future of tomorrow as they shall, through their actions, be the main determinants of the health of planet earth.
On the involvement of hundreds of young people in the activities, including tree planting, Ononino said they (youth) are the future. “We think that planting a tree in the heart of a youth is to ensure its sustainability. It is making sure that these decision-makers of tomorrow are conscious of the necessity to preserve the environment and protect this single house that we have which is the planet earth.
“We believe that if that seed is planted in their hearts, it will enable them to pay attention to each action that they are undertaking. That should be an action in favour of the planet earth. They are also going to relay the message to their peers, friends, family members as well as other stakeholders notably the government, businesses and the community at large on the need to preserve and protect our mother earth,” he stated.
The WWF Cameroon National Director said 20 years ago when Earth Hour was launched, only very few countries were involved and that today, more than 190 countries are actively participating. He said it is an indication of the impact Earth Hour has had over the years. He noted further that tree planting which contributes to afforestation was one of the key activities of the commemoration. In addition, there were sensitisation campaigns on the importance of biodiversity conservation as Ononino said the focus of this year’s Earth Hour was on conserving the rich fauna heritage.
Expressing gratitude, the DO of Yaounde V, Fabrice Bilounga Dang, said their presence at the commemoration was a demonstration of the interest public authorities have in the biodiversity conservation. He said the event, coupled with the finals of the Carton Rouge programme, was an opportunity to support the young ones in whose hands the wellbeing of planet earth depends. He hailed the organisers for encouraging the youth to be part of the drive to protect nature.
He talked of the daily endeavours in the Yaounde V council area to combat deforestation. “You saw us alongside the organisers of the event planting trees as a demonstration of our council’s commitment in the protection of nature,” Bilounga stated.
According to the Team Leader for Environment and Sustainability at the European Union Delegation in Cameroon, Stephen Peedell, it was wonderful and fantastic seeing children of all ages at the event. “It shows how important it is to be active concerning issues of environmental protection. We are happy that the directives and message that every action we take makes a difference was transmitted to all the young people.
“The EU decided to come along because in our work, we are heavily involved in supporting biodiversity conservation, green economy and all these is about protecting nature, generating income for people, protecting the planet, and it is simply doing things the right way that makes the difference,” he told reporters.
Alain Joёl Edjimbi, the Producer of Carton Rouge in 17 countries, said thanks to an agreement with WWF, they have been mobilising the youth for Earth Hour activities. “Tomorrow’s future lies in the children. They are the ones to inherit the planet earth and it is therefore important to begin sensitising them from now so that they should grow up with the spirit of environmental protection,” Edjimbi said.
This year’s commemoration was placed under the theme: “Give an Hour for Earth.” The campaign emphasises the “Biggest Hour for Earth” initiative, urging individuals, communities, and businesses to spend 60 minutes taking positive, simple actions for the planet’s health, focusing on sustainability and collective impact.
