The world is currently grappling with climate change.
The problem is leaving in its wake a worried planet due to its threat to lives.
The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26) is set to be held in Glasgow United kingdom from October 31.
The global event, which is scheduled to run for two weeks, will attract 30,000 participants comprised of world leaders, activists, businesses, journalists and scientists.
This year’s summit is meant to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris summit held in 2015.
The goal of the agreement was to limit global warming to below 2 degrees centigrade.
The implementation is hinged on a holistic approach that calls for both economic and social transformation.
The Paris Agreement goals are to be reviewed after every 5 years, according to the signed pact.
The world’s big economies are set to lead the pack during implementation, due to their huge financial muscle and advancement in technology. They are the biggest contributors to global warming.
The developed nations will according to the agreement, offer technological capacity and assistance to the other nations to counter climate change.
In addition, they will offer capacity building to help nip the effects of climate change and global warming in the bud.
There are various scientifically proven causes of global warming.
Most of them were brought about as a result of human activities.
The activities lead to the accumulation of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen oxide which trap heat in the atmosphere hence, global warming.
With increased urbanization, man is encroaching on the protected ecosystems, through the cutting of trees to create more space for development. As more trees are felled, the would-be carbon sinks are depleted.
The burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the air. This coupled with insufficient carbon sinks in the environment due to deforestation leads to global warming.
With increased globalization and urbanization, more people are buying automobiles where incomplete combustion of fuels occurs leading to a release of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide gases into the atmosphere.
Poor farming methods lead to global warming due to the use of certain fertilizers that have huge nitrogen content.
It is estimated that over 62 per cent of the nitrogen oxide gas in the atmosphere is a result of farming activities.
Other causes of global warming are gas and oil drilling which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, poor waste disposal.
The world is moving towards clean energy. Most countries are opting to use electricity as opposed to petrol and diesel in their transport industry.
Global warming has devastating effects which cannot just be wished away.
With the advent of the scourge, disasters like droughts, hurricanes, floods and heatwaves and associated effects are becoming common phenomena.
Kenya is home to the headquarters of the United Nations environment programme. Hence, should be at the forefront in advocating for measures to fight the menace.
The world is moving towards clean energy. Most countries are opting to use electricity as opposed to petrol and diesel in their transport industry.
Some like China and Netherlands are encouraging their citizens to cycle to work as opposed to using cars which go on fossil fuels. As a country, we need to borrow a leaf from these.
The huge cost of electricity in the country is pushing many households to use kerosene (fossil fuels) which is one of the major causes of global warming.
The reintroduction of value-added tax on LPG gas has put it beyond the reach of many households. This being one form of clean energy, the government need to rethink this move to help save the planet.
We need to bring down the cost of electricity to encourage the population to use it.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
