Young environmentalist launches a project to plant a million trees

“The future belongs to the young people” Story Summary: Abdikadir has become a leading champion for the environment in northern Kenya. Through his Plant a Million Trees initiative, launched in June 2013, he is galvanising community tree planting projects and establishing tree nurseries throughout his local area with the mission to plant one million trees. He has set up the Yathrib Environmental Library for children and aims to reduce youth unemployment by helping to create green jobs in nurseries, farming and renewable energy. “It is possible to create green initiatives to combat climate change at the same time as creating green jobs,” he says. Abdikadir grew up in a poor rural village in northern Kenya and saw first hand the effects of climate change, drought and deforestation. From a young age, he recognised the importance of engaging local communities to counter such challenges.“There havebeen a lot of issues which have changed the natural environment in this area, like logging and deforestation. We need to work with communities to change attitudes.”As a result of his community tree planting scheme alone, 200,000 seedlings are now growing in local nurseries and 30,000 have been planted into the community. Abdikadir thinks he can reach his target in only four years. And he believes that young people arethe principal force for carrying forward his ideas: “It is what I love doing because every day I come up with new ideas and sit down with young people to talk about how we can make them happen.” In recognition of his work, Abdikadir was awarded a Head of State Commendation from the President of Kenya, and he hasbeen selected as an eco-generation regional ambassador by the United Nations Environment Programme. Abdikadir is one of the first ever recipients of a Queen’s Young Leaders Award. The Award, which will be presented by Her Majesty The Queen in June, is part of The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme, and celebrates the achievements of young people who are taking the lead to transform the lives of others and make a lasting difference in the communities.

Embracing Sustainable Eco-friendly Technologies

Embracing Sustainable Eco-friendly Technologies The increasing world population is a threat to the environment. With the current state of the environment, different human activities calls for mass destruction of natural resources. With this trend, it does not only pose a great danger to the environment alone but to the living as well. Climate change affects not only individual quality of life through human health but also national security of island countries through higher seawater level. It is therefore necessary to embrace sustainable eco-friendly technologies that will reduce but as well reduce emerging conflicts over natural resources in the entire world. The most important source of climate change faced by mankind has been known to be global warming from accumulation of greenhouse gases rather than any other causes. The mass production system which was conducted by fossil fuel- based economic development strategy since the Industrial Revolution had led to huge emission of greenhouse gases which lead to range beyond natural self-capacity to absorb them and then to the climate change. To begin with, let’s appreciate the direction in which technology is being driven. They are all geared towards eco-friendly and ensuring sustainable environments. We have five stars hotels that have automated light switches that go off once you leave the room; this is saving energy. Look at taps that produce water when they sense the human hands. Look at our roads, vehicles emitting smoke at the same time not visible. Same as solar powered vehicles; end results is that there is no emission at all. A good example is the Ford Solar Power Car. The Ford C-Max Solar Energi Concept Car feature solar panels on the roof which tracks the Sun's position. The prototype car is said to be able to travel for 21 miles once fully charged, and a full charge can take 6 to 7 hours. The vehicle is intended to be parked under a purpose designed concentrator (a bit like a large magnifying glass) that powers it by 100% by renewable energy. To our modern housing, home owners have resorted to cheap and affordable building materials but that has no effect on the environment. Public schools, hospitals, offices initially had permanent roofs. Their roofing has shifted from asbestos materials to ordinary iron sheets. This has been seen to be carcinogenic; directly involved in causing cancer. It is changing gradually with development too. All these contribute in one way or the other to improving our environment and causing less harms. We all love to shop, but how we can shop to our hearts content with a clear conscience? Look at how well we do our shopping, by the end of the day, take home plastic bags. We are generating bulk waste that cannot be biodegraded. We really need to think hard before we do our shopping and embrace Eco Friendly Shopping. It is estimated that normal domestic homes are responsible for 27% of total carbon dioxide emissions, with each house producing 6 tonnes of CO2 a year. 1.7 tonnes of which is from electricity 4.3 tonnes is from our consumption of gas. One strategy to address these figures is to use less energy, improving our household insulation and recycling. Another complimentary strategy is that of micro power generation, whereby each household sustainably generates their portion, or all, of their own electric and power supply to provide heat or light, and ideally, generates a surplus which they can sell back to the national power suppliers. There are a number of ways in which households can achieve this: Solar panels, Wind turbines, Geothermal energy and Bio dung. The first and the foremost beneficiaries of such eco-friendly technologies should be youth themselves. There has been mass rates of youth unemployment. Such opportunities should be tapped by the young people at early stages making them social entrepreneurs. Their different innovations at this stage are very paramount since their high numbers add up to the list of the unemployed. They really need to take up the challenge and participate in creating effective use of the environmental friendly techniques hence creating self-empowerment and employment. This will save our natural resource and establish a better world with a better foundation for the future generation and better future. Government institutions and private sectors need to create these new jobs and opportunities especially decent green jobs by expanding the size of green industries. Here, therefore an increase of green jobs should be counted as net job creation. The most efficient way to adopt eco-friendly production strategy is through huge investment on green technologies in the long run. The efficient use of energy or energy saving is the goal we can achieve in the short run. Therefore the difference in the investment capacity between developed and developing countries can lead to widening income gap among them. All these emerging dimensions of technology need to take up on issues that are interconnected such as innovations and developments in green technology. This will help us do our bit in saving the planet, and creating eco-friendly technologies with emphasis on practical technology that will help us make a difference to our biodiversity You can reach me on Facebook: Amb Abdikadir Aden Hsc and Twitter: @AbdikadirAdenKE

World Environment Day Celebrations, 5th June, 2014 in Garissa County

We must raise our voices to encourage environmental action, Ambassador urges. Young Kenyan environmentalist Ambassador Abdikadir Aden, HSC has urged the Kenyan people to and especially the young people to stand up and raise their voices towards ensuring environmental sustainability. Speaking at World Environment Day celebrations held at Iftin Primary School in Garissa, Kenya, the Ambassador has appreciate the fact that young people have realized the need for great action and participation in decision making for the sake of our environment. Every year, on June 5th, millions of people across the planet to celebrate World Environment Day coming together at community, national and regional level to promote positive action on the most-pressing environmental challenges of our day. This year’s theme was “Raise your voice, not the sea level”; which aimed to raise awareness about the impact of climate change on small islands states around the world. The WED celebrations was a resultant effort of the United Nation General Assembly in the year 1972, which took place in Stockholm Conference on the issue of Human Environment. It aims at making people aware of the worldwide environmental degradation and drag the attention and action of various political sources and human resources. In Garissa County, the event was geared towards protecting and conserving water catchments and wetlands. This has been successfully done through Garissa Youth Environment Movement in partnership with Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources through Northern Water Services Board (NWSB) and Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA). This year’s World Environment Day was part of national wide sensitization campaign on water bodies. The high level celebrations which were attended by high dignitaries from different institutions from schools, civil society organizations, government institutions and upcoming environmentalists. Students from different schools passed their messages in different styles. From poems to drama, the crowd had something to laugh at but again something to learn about. The event was also a platform form recognizing best environmental practices which contributed to the success of biodiversity conservation in the area. “On this day, special regards go to the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP for information sharing and advance dissemination and for introducing high technologies for addressing global environmental issues that has enabled us to be part of this great day” says Abdikadir after passing the message of the UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner to the audience since the global event was held at Barbados. The WED went colourful with series of activities taking place at the host school. This included sensitization and awareness creation, documentary and radio talks, tree planting, entertainment, including recitations, songs and dance from institutions and individuals on conservation, exhibition of promotional materials and products by various institutions that promote green practices, presentation of Awards and Prizes to participating groups and best environmental initiatives, distribution of advocacy materials for environmental conservation and public speeches from sponsors, conservationists, and other invited dignitaries.

CONSERVATION OF WETLANDS IN KENYA.

Wetlands are areas of land that are permanently, seasonally or occasionally water logged with fresh, saline, brackish, or marine waters, including both natural and man-made areas that support characteristic biota. Globally, wetlands occupy about 6% of the earth's surface. Kenya's wetlands occupy about 3% to 4%, which is approximately 14,000 kilometers square of land surface and fluctuates up to 6% in the rainy seasons. Wetlands have several functions and uses which range from ecological, economic, recreational and cultural. They include; ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS a. Maintenance of the water table The impeded drainage of a wetland allows water to stay in one place long enough to maximize infiltration. This helps in the recharge and discharge of both ground and water resources. A high water table means that in the immediate surroundings of the wetland there is access to water supplies for plants. b. Erosion control and flood control. In their natural condition, wetlands function as a barrier to erosion. The regions downstream of the wetlands would receive full erosive force of storm events, resulting in soil and stream bank degradation. Flood damages in the United States average to $ 2 billion each year causing significant loss of life and property. Wetlands therefore play a role in reducing the frequency and intensity of floods by acting as natural buffers, soaking up and storing significant amount of floodwater. A wetland can typically store about three-acre feet of water, or one million gallons. c. Sediment trap (Acts as a sieve) Material eroded from the surrounding catchment areas by rivers is sedimented out when the flow of water is slowed upon entering a wetland. Sediment retention prevents downstream resources such as dams, farmlands, rivers and lakes from being silted up. Natural wetlands are so effective at removing pollutants from water that flows through them as the plants and soils absorb much of the excess nutrients in the water hence improving water quality. d. Wetlands as carbon sinks/ storage. Wetlands are one of the most effective ecosystems for carbon storage a critical aspect to climate change and global warming mitigation. e. Wildlife Habitat and centers of biological diversity Diverse species of mammals, plants, insects, birds, reptiles, and fish rely on wetlands for food, habitat or shelter. Endangered species use or inhabit wetlands at some time in their life. Some species must have a wetland to reproduce. Migrating waterfowl rely on wetlands for resting, eating and breeding areas, leading to increased populations. The appeal of wetlands and diversity of plant and animal life contribute to or support many businesses. SOCIO- ECONOMIC FUNCTIONS a. Tourism and recreation Wetlands are often inviting places for recreational activities including hiking, fishing, bird watching, photography and hunting. These activities also contribute towards the country’s foreign exchange. According to studies done, Lake Nakuru for instance gets approximately 300,000 visitors per year bringing US$ 24 million and the estimated value of flamingos in Lake Natron as a flamingo breeding site based on the recreation value of one flamingo per year is US$ 11,819,091. An average price tag of US$33 trillion a year has been established by researchers on these fundamental ecosystem services globally. That is nearly twice the gross national product (GNP) of US$ 18 trillion. b. Plant products Papyrus and similar plants have been traditionally harvested for necessities such as thatching, mats, baskets while the palms and smaller sized trees are used as structural building materials. For instance communities living around Rivers Nzoia, Yala, Nyando and Sio use papyrus plants materials to make traditional fishing gear. Traditional conical basket traps “esivu” and “Omukono” among the:Luhyia and “Sienya” among the Luo. c. Water supply Wetland plants have the capacity to take out impurities from the water thus filtering it. Because of this function, it has been possible for rural communities to obtain a pure water supply at no cost. d. Cattle grazing The marginal parts of wetlands, where the soil is permanently or seasonally moist, have for long been used as grazing areas for livestock especially during the dry season. Grazing and watering of livestock is an important traditional common practice for many communities in Kenya for example the Maasai, Tugens, Turkana, Oromo and Njemps. Traditional livestock rearing is a cultural activity and wetlands are its life support. d. Fishing Wetlands harbor a substantial population of fish, which have traditionally been caught as an important food item in many parts of Kenya. 3. SOCIO-CULTURAL FUNCTIONS a. Ceremonial sites Most communities in Kenya have used wetlands as site for carrying out traditional rites for example circumcision ceremonies among the Bukusu people of Western Kenya use special wetlands sites in River Nzoia basin for these ceremonies. The Kipsigis community of Bomet also carry out circumcision ceremonies on sites at River Sise and the Pokomo of Tana River District. b. Sacred sites Several wetlands in Kenya are considered as sacred sites where communities make sacrifices for ancestral spirits and spiritual consultations. For example part of Yala Swamp has sites that have traditionally been used for spiritual purposes. c.Sources of traditional food Wetlands provide traditional vegetables to many riverine communities for example Luhya women collected “enderema” and “lubiliabilia” from the wetlands. The Pokomo used Nyamthaceae species of leaves as vegetables while its potatoes like tuber “Makole” is a source of carbohydrate. Typha domigensis locally known as “Enarau” is a root chewed by the Maasai during the dry periods. 4. THREATS AND CHALLENGES TO WETLANDS IN KENYA Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems due to their functions and attributes. They are essential to the well-being of Kenyans as they contribute significant economic and social benefits to the country. Despite their high productivity and provision of many benefits, wetland ecosystems in Kenya are still facing serious threats including; a. Unsustainable use of wetland resources through; overgrazing, over cultivation, over abstraction of water for domestic use, agriculture and industrialization as well as illegal and improper fishing practices. b. Eutrophication which may be caused through pollution by domestic sewage, industrial effluent which choke water ways and agro-chemicals that increase nutrient levels thus causing algae blooms and fish kills. c. Establishment of new human and livestock settlements in wetland areas. d. Cutting and burning of aquatic and other vegetation for fuel, housing and commercial activities. e. Unplanned development activities including dam construction, coastal development, mining and quarrying. f. Introduction, illegally or otherwise, of non-traditional or alien species into wetlands such as water hyacinth, Nile perch, Red cray fish. g. Hunting and killing of wildlife within wetlands, which in turn undermines the integrity of these fragile ecosystems as food chains are destructed. h. Degradation of water catchment areas such as the Mau Complex, Mount Kenya, Cherengani hills, Aberdares ranges and Mount Elgon where many rivers and streams rise from that flow into the major types of wetlands in our country. The destruction of these catchment areas results into siltation and increased suspended solids and reduced water levels in rivers and lakes downstream. i. Lack of an operational National Wetlands Policy and cross-cutting sectoral policies in Kenya, where by government Ministries do not liaise in developing management plans on water use (Water and Irrigation, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Planning and Development, Environment and Natural Resources). j. Lack of management plans has exuberated wetland destruction and degradation e.g.. Lake Naivasha k. Limited funds, where by Wetland management institutions lack adequate and continuous funds and personnel for monitoring, management, research and community awareness l. Lack of community participation in management of the various wetland resources in the country. While wetlands have the potential of contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of Kenya, they face diverse and severe threats. These threats include among others inappropriate human activities within the catchments and in the wetlands, lack of coordinated and holistic policy guidelines, and climate change. The threats have induced changes that have eroded the ecological and socio-economic values and services derived from wetlands. The underlying threat remains lack of recognition of the importance of these wetlands. i. Reclamation and Conversion of wetlands: Drainage and reclamation of wetlands for agricultural development, human settlement and industrial development is one of the biggest threats to wetland conservation and management. In the past, wetlands have been regarded as “wastelands”, which harbour disease vectors. This has led to large-scale drainage and conversion for alternative uses without regard to ecological and socio-economic values. ii. Over- exploitation of wetland goods and services: Increasing human populations and change from subsistence to commercial exploitation of wetland resources continue to exert increasing pressures on limited wetland resources, resulting in a decline of services and quality as well as quantity of products derived from wetlands. iii. Pollution, Eutrophication and Salinization of wetlands: The quality of many water sources in Kenya is declining as a result of municipal, agricultural and industrial wastes/ discharges. These have negatively impacted water quality and biodiversity within the wetland ecosystems thereby reducing their values. Increased nutrient loads have led to eutrophication and episodes of algal blooms in wetlands near major settlements. In certain areas excessive abstraction of fresh waters, diversions, and catchment degradation, have led to increased salinity. iv. Alien Invasive Species: Wetlands are highly vulnerable to alien and potentially invasive species. Many wetlands have in the past been affected by the introduction of alien invasive species that have altered the biodiversity characteristics and diminished the services provided by wetlands. For example, the introduction of Nile perch nearly eliminated the indigenous fish species of Lake Victoria while water hyacinth, Salvinia sp, and Typha sp. have affected numerous.

Earth Day, 2014

The whole world celebrated Earth Day on 22nd April, 2014. This is a day meant for creating great awareness in our ecosystem. The theme for this year on Earth Day is Green Cities. Earth Day 2014 will focus on green cities, mobilizing a millions of people to create a sustainable, healthy environment by greening communities worldwide and reduce their carbon footprint. Earth Day 2014 will focus on the unique environmental challenges of our time. As the world’s population migrates to cities, and as the bleak reality of climate change becomes increasingly clear, the need to create sustainable communities is more important than ever. Earth Day 2014 will seek to do just that through its global theme: Green Cities. With smart investments in sustainable technology, forward-thinking public policy, and an educated and active public, we can transform our cities and forge a sustainable future. Nothing is more powerful than the collective action of a billion people.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS 2014.

This global celebration of forests provides a platform to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests and of trees outside forests. Forests cover one third of the Earth's land mass, performing vital functions around the world. Around 1.6 billion people - including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures - depend on forests for their livelihood. Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80% of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. Forests also provide shelter, jobs and security for forest-dependent communities. They play a key role in our battle in adapting to and mitigating climate change. Forests contribute to the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide and humidity in the air. They protect watersheds, which supply 75% of freshwater worldwide. Yet despite all of these priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, we are destroying the very forests we need to survive. Global deforestation continues at an alarming rate - 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually. Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. As the world celebrates International Day of Forests on 21st March, 2014, I would like us to dedicate our commitment towards ensuring environmental sustainability and to protect our forests. Let us acknowledge the vital role of forests and pledge to work together to protect and sustainably manage them and to combat climate change together. HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS 2014.

HAPPY WORLD WILDLIFE DAY 2014

In the recent days, there has been a lot of sad news of elephants and rhinos being poached for their ivories just because someone somewhere has put value on their heads. Demand is really especially in Asia and this is very alarming. We have to stand up and say NO to such disasters. As the world marks a special day for the protection, conservation and advocating for wildlife, it is the responsibility of each and every global citizen to ensure that at all time we have to defend our wildlife at all cost.

Today the 3rd March, 2014, as the whole world celebrates World Wildlife Day, we too are part of the global celebrations. Garissa County is the Home of Hirola and we are proud to have different wildlife species. As a county and the world in large, we have to ensure that we protect and safeguard our wildlife resources. Happy World Wildlife Day 2014.