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MWAMISI: Why Ruto's 15 billion tree agenda is critical endeavour

Trees lie at the very nexus of our interconnected web of life.

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by Amol Awuor

Siasa12 November 2023 - 03:08
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In Summary


  • Beyond their ecological services, the verdant enclaves of trees present a haven for the human spirit.
  • Green spaces bestow tranquility, offering the solace of recreation, moments of relaxation and a sanctuary for the release of pent-up stress.
President William Ruto waters a tree during the passing out parade of forest rangers in Gilgil, Nakuru county, on October 11, 2023.

The timeless wisdom held within the natural world underscores the indispensable role trees play in sustaining human life. As a divine gift, they stand as sentinels of our existence, silently rendering panoply of irreplaceable services. Trees lie at the very nexus of our interconnected web of life. They are the quiet alchemists, purifying the air we breathe by absorbing carbon dioxide and exhaling life-giving oxygen, a gift no human can survive without. In their towering branches and sheltering canopies, they offer habitats to a vast array of wildlife, from chirping birds to industrious insects, magnificent mammals, and the intricate world of fungi, all intertwining in a delicate balance that preserves our ecosystem's health.

Beyond their ecological services, the verdant enclaves of trees present a haven for the human spirit. Green spaces bestow tranquility, offering the solace of recreation, moments of relaxation and a sanctuary for the release of pent-up stress. The aesthetic allure of Kenya's landscapes and parks bears economic significance as visitors from every corner of the globe are captivated by their natural charm, all the while honouring their deep cultural significance.

The Kenyan government's resolute commitment to mitigating climate change is tangible, with diverse initiatives taking root across the nation, notably, the designation of November 13 next month. A national tree-planting day, with President Ruto at the helm, underscores the gravity of our environmental plight. "Tree planting, forest restoration, and the protection of water resources are pivotal activities that can help our nation combat the frequent droughts caused by climate change and exacerbated by environmental degradation," reiterated Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.

Koskei made the statement during a momentous tree planting event at Kapkongony swamp in Nandi on November 3. He reminded Kenyans of the President's audacious vision to plant 15 billion trees, a foundation upon which “the youth of Kenya can build alternative, climate-smart pathways to employment.”

Climate change stands as an immediate and existential threat to the collective existence of humanity, an arduous challenge with profound and far-reaching consequences for our precious planet. The stark reduction of forest cover has emerged as a significant catalyst in this burgeoning crisis. Activities such as rampant infrastructure development, unrestrained logging and intensive agriculture continue to release staggering volumes of stored carbon into the atmosphere, intensifying the depletion of our fragile ozone layer. European Union Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra, issued a stark warning, stressing the urgency "to keep 1.5°Celsius within reach, global greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2025 at the latest, just two short years from now. By 2030, global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by a staggering 43 percent compared to 2019 levels." The outcome of this unrestrained carbon release is an amplified greenhouse effect, propelling rising global temperatures and the onset of increasingly extreme weather patterns.

Furthermore, forests hold a critical role in maintaining Earth's intricate water cycle, an equilibrium whose disruption causes changes in precipitation patterns, rendering regions more susceptible to prolonged droughts and catastrophic floods. The loss of forest cover is far from a mere forfeiture of biodiversity and natural beauty; it is a defining driver of the unrelenting climate change crisis, necessitating the immediate prioritisation of forest preservation and restoration in our unyielding battle against this existential menace.

The repercussions of climate change resonate throughout Kenya, delivering tangible impacts upon its environment, economy, and society. Oscillating rainfall patterns, characterised by erratic and unpredictable periods, sow disruption in agricultural cycles, scattering uncertainty amongst farmers and impeding the pursuit of optimal crop yields. While food security remains a cherished goal, Kenya grapples with the increasing prevalence of recurrent and protracted droughts that usher in water scarcity and diminished agricultural productivity. Concurrently, Kenya bears witness to a surge in intense rainfall and resultant flooding, perpetrating harm upon vital infrastructure, uprooting communities and exacting a grievous human toll.

In as much as historical floods and droughts loom in the annals of Kenyan experience, experts are vocal about the undeniable link to the global phenomenon of climate change. Flash floods, unleashed by the relentless torrents of rain, are recurring nightmares afflicting both urban and rural settings. The burden of disaster risk management weighs heavily on a country like Kenya. Escalating temperatures impose heat stress, most notably in urban hubs, resulting in adverse health conditions, diminished workforce productivity and intensifying demands on energy resources for cooling and refrigeration.

Coastal locales along Kenya's splendid shoreline teeter on the precipice, with rising sea levels casting an ominous shadow, threatening coastal erosion, encroaching salinisation upon freshwater sources, and the looming spectre of community displacement. Kenya's lush biodiversity, emblematic of its natural wealth, teeters on the brink, with the erosion of habitats set to exact a heavy toll on ecosystems and the bedrock tourism industry. Moreover, the wide and swift diffusion of diseases like malaria and cholera, a direct consequence of climate change, compounds the burden borne by Kenya's healthcare system.

In these challenging times, Kenya's First Lady, Rachel Ruto, stands as a beacon of inspiration and change. Her visionary initiatives, including the 'Mama Doing Good' partnership with educational institutions, empower women and youths to embark on tree-planting initiatives. Her 'Mama Fruits Gardens' project, aimed at establishing fruit gardens in public schools, bears immense significance for the nation's future. Additionally, the 'First Lady Mazingira Awards', unveiled during the Africa Climate Summit in September 2023, consolidates Kenya's commitment to environmental conservation and the attainment of national food sufficiency.

As Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei wisely pronounced, "Ensuring the trees grow to maturity is the true test of our commitment and resolve to remain on the right side of history as custodians of our God-given resources." Newly planted trees, fragile in their infancy, are susceptible to environmental stress, pest infestation, and disease. To nurture these saplings to full growth, regular watering, vigilant pruning, and protection from adverse conditions are indispensable. The government's strategy of involving grassroots communities in tree planting is a strategic investment that promises fruitful dividends in both the immediate and distant future.

 

Political commentator 

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