This segment hosts blog stories that include opinions and thoughts on environment, climate change, energy, and policy. The 21st century has uncovered so many environmental problems that need to be addressed. It calls different voices, opinions, and actions to influence change. Call for climate action, and clean cooking finds ground when more people speak up and pen their opinions.
While the progress towards achieving a 100 percent renewable energy planet is encouraging, the potentials of the rural communities to generate energy has not been exploited fully. They lack the necessary support.
The greatest hindrance is the bureaucratic tactics to an extent the excess energy goes to waste, yet the citizens have no access to power.
The congestion in major towns causing massive traffic jams is brought about by the increasing personal cars and small public service vehicles. Instead of having 500 cars each day with just one occupant each, why not hop into a bus, reduce congestion, save time, reduce air pollution, and address global warming.
Inculcating a tree planting culture, particularly among children at a young age develops a generation of persons who are cautious about their surroundings. The children will grow up knowing that they are responsible for a clean and healthy environment. The children will not allow the destruction of green spaces; they will champion for their conservation.
Instances of heatwaves in Europe, the United States of America, and across Asia to Africa have been recorded. It is a global problem. Hurricanes and cyclones are now occurring even in areas that were least expected. Rains have become erratic- farmers dependent on rain-fed agriculture are profoundly affected which eventually result in low yields hence food shortage.
Capacity building on the significance of conserving the forests is paramount. Without knowledge and understanding, it would be useless asking people to be your gatekeepers. Educate young people about nature and allow the community to participate in natural resource management.
I ask the Ministry of Environment through the Cabinet Secretary CS. Tobiko not to relent in this quest to save Mau. Do not let politicians cloud your judgement. Do not postpone this project; don’t even let it cool down. Let it be done once and for all. While still on that, consult with the relevant agencies, give people notices, affirm your stance, and act as the law directs. Leave a lasting legacy, just like the late Prof. Wangari Maathai did.
I am pro-forest conservation. Essentially, I support the eviction. However, the evicted persons should be relocated to other areas that they can call home and continue their regular activities — a place where the children will be able to continue their education.
If the forest is not protected, then we risk clearing all trees that act as windbreaks, carbon sinks and regulate climate among other functions. A forest of such a vast magnitude like Mau if deforested will turn into a desert. The springs, rivers, and lakes whose tributaries start from the forest will dry up. Underground aquifers will dry up. Water is life, without it might be the end of us.
Despite the notable increase in forested areas when we compare the year 2000 and 2016 as per the figures above, people’s need to meet their daily demands continue to destroy natural habitats. Because of the threats animals are exposed to, they are forced to migrate in search of safer areas.
Unfortunately, my actions will deny my grandchildren or even my children a chance to see certain animals. They will only read them from history books just like I did about the passenger pigeons that were common in North America only to be wiped out of existence on the arrival of Europeans who hunted them for meat.
Fighting climate change calls for worldwide collective action. We need to speak in one voice. Every nation needs to commit to reducing the number of carbon particles it emits into their atmosphere as a result of their daily operations.