- Kenya supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 on addressing climate change.
- Nonetheless, environmental deterioration is still a problem in the nation. Reports of invasions of vital natural resources, including water, abound in our history.
Image: HANDOUT
The current climate change situation is a product of poor management of the environment, a condition that has occasioned devastating effects on humanity.
Several studies have fingered climate change for natural disasters like floods, droughts, crop failure, locust invasions, pandemics outbreaks, and human-wildlife conflicts.
According to the estimates, the cost of loss and damage mitigation, adaptation, and compensation will be roughly $580 billion in 2030 and might reach $1.8 trillion by 2050.
Kenya supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 on addressing climate change.
Nonetheless, environmental deterioration is still a problem in the nation. Reports of invasions of vital natural resources, including water, abound in our history.
Deforestation and the release of chemicals into waterways have become commonplace.
Plastic bottles have proliferated on the streets despite Kenya's restricted use, which leads to clogged drainage systems during the rainy seasons.
The mismanagement of plastics has taken a heavy toll on the environment, especially in urban areas, hence irremediable damage.
Our country is among many developing nations around the globe that have borne the greatest brunt of climate change, which is immensely brought about by wealthy governments and multinational corporations. The impact is most felt by the poor vulnerable population.
According to recent statistics, the effects of climate change are causing up to 4 million Kenyans to starve, particularly in Northern Kenya.
On the other hand, livestock is also susceptible to the whims of climate change's harsh effects.
Natural calamities like floods, drought, and livestock diseases among others are wiping away the livelihoods of the poor.
Lives have been lost and others displaced.
The situation has exacerbated insecurity in some parts of the country as a result of communities fighting for scarce resources like water and pasture.
Outbreaks of diseases like cholera have also led to an increased humanitarian crisis.
Considering the impact of climate change, particularly on the poor, appropriate planning is required to mitigate its repercussions.
To protect Kenyans whose livelihoods are in danger or have been impacted by climate change, the government should prioritise resilience building, social protection, and sustainable development.
This will significantly help with drought and flood situations.
To create sustainable environmental conservation, all hands must be on deck.
Besides the national and county governments leveraging their synergies, the private sector too should come on board and support the efforts to conserve the environment.
The National Sustainable Waste Management Bill, the National Sustainable Waste Management Policy, and the E-waste Strategy should be implemented.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, through organisations like NEMA, should be at the forefront of this effort.
A lot may be done to protect the environment by taking the proper steps to prevent environmental pollution, such as dangerous air pollutants.
Priority must be given to efficient waste management, disposal, and resource conservation through recycling.
Derick Ngaira is a Communications Expert