Adoption of fuel briquettes is solution for deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions

 

Climate Change is a phenomenon which has captured attention of the entire world. Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi and Conference of Parties (CoP 28) held late last year in Dubai is clear indicator of significance of the Climate Change discussion. Fuel provision remains primary and most elusive Climate Change driver whose contribution to greenhouse gases has been on increase. Sustainable Development Goal 7 focuses on access to clean and affordable energy, however fossil fuels still remain the dominant energy source globally.

Majority of Africa households especially in rural settings depend on firewood for cooking and heating due to its affordability, accessibility and versatility in meeting household fuel needs. Firewood usage remains unsustainable because it leads to deforestation and land degradation and emits both carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide both of which are high impact greenhouse gases once released to the atmosphere. The quality of life for both the rural and urban population in Kenya, like others in the developing world, is difficult by high cost of fuel wood and oil based products (paraffin and gas) used in cooking. For this majority the problem of obtaining fuel wood should come as a secondary priority to obtaining food

With increase in wood dependent population in Africa and declining forest resource, charcoal briquettes can offer low cost, sustainable and accessible energy source. Made from compacting biomass residue such as sawdust, charcoal dust, other wood remnants or agricultural residues, charcoal briquettes remain low hanging fruit in sustainable energy options.

Charcoal briquettes offer employment opportunities thus closing the unemployment gap witnessed in third world countries. There is very huge potential for cooking and heating fuel market which remains unmet or met using unclean and polluting energy options, any viable clean energy will be great welcome in the market.

Briquettes offer waste management opportunities in circular bio economy approach. Waste which would otherwise create pollution and call for collection and disposal costs is in return converted in to sustainable bioresources for the benefit of households and the environment. Circular economy creates a continuum which appreciates all value chain actors in the ecosystem in easy to manage context, and does not require extensive legislation

According to the World Bank, 1200 grams of wood are burned per person per day in the typical cooking situation in third world countries using the three stone stove. This is equivalent to using 400 kilogram of wood each year to satisfy the energy needs of one person. In contrast, a typical person consumes only 140 kilograms’ worth of fuel briquettes made of agricultural and commercial residues, in one year. Therefore, using fuel briquettes dramatically reduces the strain on forest resources.

 

Briquettes can be used in almost every application where firewood and charcoal is traditionally used, even in a typical three-stone stove. They are most applicable in areas where access to firewood is limited, such as the arid lands or in densely populated areas. In these areas, fuel briquettes can compete favorably with traditional solid fuel (firewood, charcoal, and cow dung). In Kenya the price difference is already in favor of fuel briquettes

 

Conclusion

Beyond reasonable doubt, Earth’s climate is warming and climate change will have widespread impact on African society and their interaction with natural environment. However, there is great need to increase awareness on the value of briquettes as an alternative fuel in East Africa as a means of reducing local dependence on fuel wood and as a tool for teaching the community about forest conservation.

Andrew Muendo Nyamu

Young African Leaders Initiative alumni (cohort 24)

Nature Positive project coordinator

National Church Council of Kenya (NCCK)

Email: nyamu1895@gmail.com

 

RIVER SAND SHOULD BE SEEN AS WATER SOURCE BUT NOT MINERAL

  River sand remain key component in construction industry and water availability. In the last few decades, the world has experienced significant demand for river sand because of increasing living standards, rapid population growth, and the expansion of the construction sector. The growth of sand harvesting activities is associated with adverse environmental impacts, including reduced water quality, the widening of river beds, and reduced water quantity. Achieving equilibrium between river sand harvesting and water availability has remained elusive leading to decline in water availability due to quick cash associated with river sand harvesting

The 6^th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 6) is geared towards ensuring that everyone has access to safe and affordable drinking water. For its full realization, all water sources ought to be preserved to ensure their water provision is not compromised. Although hardly considered, river sand remains critical water source for households in rural arid and semi-arid areas and its continued exploration has jeopardized their livelihoods.

National Sand Harvesting Guidelines 2007, provides legal framework for conservation and utilization of sand resource, albeit it does not explicitly define whether sand is mineral or water reservoir. Makueni County Sand Conservation and Utilization Act 2015, in principle put much emphasis on conservation of river sand while creating sand utilization framework for local domestic use within Makueni County, its implementation challenges notwithstanding, the Act has led to restoration of many rivers and brought much needed sanity within sand value chain in Makueni County.

Kenya is a water scarce country with per capita water availability of 600M³ which is below global threshold of 1000M³. Coupled with climate change, the situation is likely to worsen in future. Rivers provide bulk of water for domestic and agricultural uses among rural households and their water availability is dependent on river sand availability. River sand harvesting has led to degradation of river beds which are custodians of surface water within river channels, this practice in return has resulted to drying up of rivers and water structures within river channels.

Sand dams have been widely used to restore river equilibrium and their water holding capacities through acting as barrier to sand flow downstream. Due to their relatively low cost construction and technical requirements, communities have taken up the initiative to erect as many sand dams as possible within their river channels. These initiatives have led to restoration of degraded riparian ecosystems and reclamation of adjacent arable lands.

Utilization of river sand remains threat to water availability despite its role in construction industry, this calls for regulation its regulation to ensure sustainable harvesting. To achieve this, stakeholder engagements remain primary including local communities, sand dealers, sand loaders and County and National government enforcement and compliance teams.

To realize harmony and unity from all involved river sand harvesting stakeholders, benefit sharing among involved riparian communities ought to be factored. Riparian communities through Water Resource User Associations and other local formations are the custodians of rivers and unsustainable sand harvesting directly impacts on their livelihoods and wellbeing. Laws regulating river sand harvesting should ensure trickle down of revenue to the communities through conservation projects, water projects and environment restoration projects

Water is life, and thus all water sources need to be conserved to ensure their ability to provide the much needed resources remains optimal. Sand rivers remain one of key water sources and hence their protection is paramount, for this to be achieved, sand river should be understood as water tank and not mineral

 

SOLUTIONS TO PLASTICS POLLUTION: Rethinking Plastic Pollution Menace

 

Plastic bags have been used for industrial and household packaging for decades.  Plastic bags availability will have significant impact to the environment in days to come. In industries plastic bags have formed the core of packaging for the household consumable items. Shopping malls, retail shops and supermarkets are the main distributors of the plastics bags to the end users. The growth of this sector can be attributed to their durability, malleability light in weight and low cost. Its estimated that by 2050 there will be 12000 million tons of plastic waste accumulation if no action is taken. In 2016 Kenya enacted law regulating production, use and disposal of plastic bags, however plastics bags have found their way back to the market.

Dark site of plastics, this year’s World Environment Day celebration has been coined to address the plastics related menace. Dabbed “solutions to plastics pollution”, the focus is mainly revisiting the entire plastic value chain in efforts to address perennial menace emanating from their disposal.

Non-Biodegradable Nature of Plastic Bags as Soil Contaminants. Once in the soil, plastic bags eventually breakdown realising toxic chemicals with affect soil pH. This leads to reduction of soil productivity. According to the interactive soil quality assessment report 2018, more than 80% of plastics found on marine environments are produced, consumed and disposed of in soils. Sewage sludge contributes to percolation of microplastics in soil. This happens through application of municipal wastewater treatment plants as fertilizers in agricultural lands. Plastic bags can also lead to soil infertility by tempering with moisture and nutrition supplies for the crops resulting to reduced yield

Plastic Bags Damaging the Environment. Plastic bags are directly associated with numerous dangers to the Environment. Terrestrial and aquatic animals suffer due to presence of plastic bags in their food chains. Cows have had significant deaths due to presence of plastic bags in their grazing fields. Once an animal swallow’s plastic bag, it causes intestinal obstruction which leads to slow death.  The poisoning emanates from chemical components making up the plastic bags. Plastics don’t readily break down while in the animals’ digestive track, this makes the animal feel full and eventually they succumb to malnutrition or starvation.

Clogging of water and sewerage systems. Once deposited to the environment, plastic bags find their way to the water supply and drainage systems whereby the clog the supply leading to disconnection of utility supplies and pollution. Their removal is costly in both time and monetary value. Sewage blockage escalates to health threat as other diseases associated with poor sewage disposal crops up.

Aesthetic defloration of the Environment. Poorly disposed plastic bags create unpleasant scenery. They act as breeding ground for disease transmitting insect such as mosquito as water accumulates in the inside the bags. A vast majority of residents both from urban and rural areas would agree that plastic debris ruin the appearance of habitats.

Conclusion

Despite pollution associated with plastics, if well harnessed, they can offer much need job opportunities while reducing climate change associated effects. Through circular economy, plastics have been recycled to provide much needed alternative fencing and furniture to the rescue of our forests. Initiatives such as International Coastal Clean-up held annually have seen Beach Management Unit reap benefits of maintaining clean terrestrial and marine ecosystems through selling plastic waste to recycling firms.  Clean natural habitats and green spaces help reduce recovery time and improve healing period of hospital patients. Such environment sustains children concentration and focus, either they reduce crime rates. However, if the environments are littered with plastic bags and other unpleasant debris, these benefits are highly reduced. With right legislative frameworks and governance, plastics has potential to offer much needed solutions to humanity without resultant pollution menace, this is achievable through partnerships and synergy from all stakeholders. 

Andrew Muendo Nyamu

Young African Leaders Initiative alumni (cohort 24)

Project Coordinator, National Church Council of Kenya (NCCK)

Email: nyamu1895@gmail.com