CLIMATE CHANGE: Christmas gift for future generation; a tree seedling!
The birth of Jesus symbolized
redemption of humanity in the verge of eternal destruction occasioned by Adam
and Eve disobedience at the garden of Eden as recorded in the Holy Scripture. Despite
the eternal redemption of humanity, other challenges continue to cause death
and suffering of the human beings, among them, Climate Change
Climate
change Menace
Climate change is a global
and local threat to humanity and continues to pose survival threat to humans,
animals and vegetation. In Kenya, loss of livelihoods has become synonymous
with climate change. Crop failure, death of livestock, floods and landslides
have continually increased the vulnerability of populations living in prone
areas. Noble lieutenant, the late Prof. Wangari Maathai once said; mother
nature is unforgiving when provoked! The last few months Kenya has witnessed
mother natures’ fury over negligence of our part. Delayed October-November-
December countrywide, death of livestock in Northern parts of the country and
crop failure across countries food basket are among evidence of mother nature
furry. This phenomenon calls for decisive actions by all stakeholders to combat
the effects of climate change at local and national levels.
Global
and National treaties
Persistency of climate
change has seen many forums held on global, regional and national platforms. On
12th December 2015, 196 parties to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), during COP 21 conference held at Paris
adopted the Paris Agreement, a legally-binding framework for internationally
coordinating efforts to tackle climate change culminating six years of
international climate change negations under the auspices of UNFCCC. The
framework set out four articulate steps which are putting emphasis on the
processes rather than goals. Unlike the Kyoto protocol which had specific
emission targets, this framework relies on voluntary mitigation contributions
by member states. The Paris Agreement also establishes global warming goal well
below 2°C, this requires party states to formulate progressively more ambitious
climate change targets consistent with the goal the agreement also establishes
the obligation of all parties to contribute to climate change mitigation and
adaptation. The agreement too recognizes the different starting points and
responsibilities of countries and emphasizes the agreement to be implemented in
accordance with the principal of common but differentiated responsibilities in
respect to capabilities
Kenya being a party to
the UNFCCC, has enacted climate change act 2016 in its determined efforts to
curb effects of changing climatic condition. The act provides opportunities for
social entrepreneurs working on climate change related issues to have their
voices heard and prosecution of climate change related offenses. The act either
envisage creation of climate change fund and provision of incentives to
innovations geared towards climate change adaptation and mitigation. The
climate change act 2016 is a bold step in the right direction for present and
future generation
Gift
for future Generation
Kenya continues to
receive below average rainfalls for the last one months. Despite loss of livestock,
destruction of infrastructure and properties, the rains have provided conducive
environment for vegetation growth. As the festive season begin, people will be
looking for gifts for their loved ones, seasonal urban to rural migration
taking place as families unite to merry making and fanfare. Kenya population
census provisional results indicate population of about 48 million people, if
every Kenyan received and gave a tree seedling as Christmas gift, future
generation will be safe, our environment will be habitable and mother nature
will be happy.
Andrew Muendo Nyamu
Young Africa Leaders Initiative (YALI) fellow 2018
Project Coordinator- Plan International
Email: nyamu1895@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment