Category: ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE

The Dedan Kimathi Foundation has continued to underscore the importance of stakeholders working in synergy in order to achieve the 15 Billion trees which the government envisages in a bid to address the issue of climate change.
On Friday, one of the Foundation’s Environment Conservation teams, comprising of 40 members, had the pleasure to meet and briefly interact with the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Julius Kamau.
The team that has been volunteering in Mweiga and Muringato Forest tree nurseries for 1 week was lauded for the commitment they put in work to conserve the environment.

The CCF further extended his gratitude to the foundation leadership for growing the Green Army to fight climate change through seedlings production, planting, growing and protection, in addition to creating awareness on climate change, its effects and actively working towards mitigation of its negative effects.

To appreciate the great work the youth are doing for the nation in environmental conservation, the CCF has promised to plan on how the volunteers can acquire basic forest training at Kenya Forestry College in Londiani to increase their effectiveness in the field of environmental conservation.

“We greatly appreciate the framework of collaboration between us and the service in which, Kenya Forest Service has provided more than half of the 2 million trees the foundation has planted over the last 3 years,” Evelyn Kimathi the Chief Executive Officer of Dedan Kimathi Foundation noted.

Also present in the brief field meeting were Mr. Andrew Soi, Central Highlands Conservancy Regional Forest Conservator, and Madam Esther Mugo, Nyeri Central Sub County Forester Forester among others.
The Dedan Kimathi Foundation is keen to mark 66 years since the demise of Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi by amplifying environmental conservation efforts.

The ozone layer is on track to recover within four decades, with the global phaseout of ozone-depleting chemicals already benefitting efforts to mitigate climate change.

This is the conclusion of a UN-backed panel of experts, presented today at the American Meteorological Society’s 103rd annual meeting. Examining novel technologies such as geo-engineering for the first time, the panel warns of unintended impacts on the ozone layer.

On track to full recovery.

The UN-backed Scientific Assessment Panel to the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances quadrennial assessement report, published every four years, confirms the phase out of nearly 99% of banned ozone-depleting substances. The Montreal Protocol has thus succeeded in safeguarding the ozone layer, leading to notable recovery of the ozone layer in the upper stratosphere and decreased human exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun.

If current policies remain in place, the ozone layer is expected to recover to 1980 values (before the appearance of the ozone hole) by around 2066 over the Antarctic, by 2045 over the Arctic and by 2040 for the rest of the world. Variations in the size of the Antarctic ozone hole, particularly between 2019 and 2021, were driven largely by meteorological conditions. Nevertheless, the Antarctic ozone hole has been slowly improving in area and depth since the year 2000.

“That ozone recovery is on track according to the latest quadrennial report is fantastic news. The impact the Montreal Protocol has had on climate change mitigation cannot be overstressed. Over the last 35 years, the Protocol has become a true champion for the environment,” said Meg Seki, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Ozone Secretariat.

“The assessments and reviews undertaken by the Scientific Assessment Panel remain a vital component of the work of the Protocol that helps inform policy and decision makers.”

Impacts on climate change.

The 10th edition of the Scientific Assessment Panel reaffirms the positive impact that the treaty has already had for the climate.

An additional 2016 agreement, known as the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, requires phase down of production and consumption of some hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HFCs do not directly deplete ozone, but are powerful climate climate change gases.

The Scientific Assessment Panel said this amendment is estimated to avoid 0.3–0.5°C of warming by 2100 (this does not include contributions from HFC-23 emissions).

“Ozone action sets a precedent for climate action. Our success in phasing out ozone-eating chemicals shows us what can and must be done – as a matter of urgency – to transition away from fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gases and so limit temperature increase,” said WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas.

The latest assessment has been made based on extensive studies, research and data compiled by a large international group of experts , including many from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Union.

Geoengineering

For the first time, the Scientific Assessment Panel examined the potential effects on ozone of the intentional addition of aerosols into the stratosphere, known as stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI). SAI has been proposed as a potential method to reduce climate warming by increasing sunlight reflection. Yet the panel cautions that unintended consequences of SAI “could also affect stratospheric temperatures, circulation and ozone production and destruction rates and transport.”

About the Montreal Protocol.

The Montreal Protocol is a global agreement to protect the Earth’s ozone layer by phasing out the chemicals that deplete it. The landmark agreement entered into force in 1989 and it is one of the most successful global environmental agreements.

About the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

About the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

WMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with 193 Member States and Territories. It is the UN system’s authoritative voice on the state and behaviour of the Earth’s atmosphere, its interaction with the land and oceans, the weather and climate it produces and the resulting distribution of water resources.

Madam Wanjugu the owner of Dedan Kimathi Foundation together with some government & private organizations have kicked off a rigorous process of restoring the new face of Maragoli Hills Forest.

This 1000 Acres Forest serves as a boundary between Vihiga & Kisumu counties, The Forest has suffered massive deforestation destruction in the Past 30 years, today, only Shrubs, Rocky hills and some scattered trees are in the vicinity.

The forest was a source of 20 streams which have dried up since leaving behind caves which serves as a memory to the locals and tourists, of a once robust forest.

The restoration and responsible management of our forests such as Maragoli Hills will play a crucial role in re-establishing habitats, producing goods and services needed for sustainable development, and supporting economic recovery after COVID-19 through green jobs while increasing food security and improving human well-being.

Maragoli hills Forest Ecosystem restoration is fundamental to achieving the Sustainable Development.

Goals, mainly those on climate change, poverty eradication, food security, water, and biodiversity.

conservation. This is in line with the tree planting clarion call of our H.E. President William Samoei Ruto and the First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto.

Partners undertaking the Project Includes Forest Service, CKL Africa Ltd, Linda Mazingira Initiative.

Kenya, Kenya Forestry Research Institute, SeedballsKenya, Equity Bank Kenya, KCB Group, County.

Government of Vihiga, Cookswell Jikos and Mr Julius Kamau.

The Kenyan Young Generation in Nuclear (www.kygnnetwork.org) held a successful StandUp4Nuclear (SU4N) -Nuclear Energy advocacy street event at the Agakhan Walk, Nairobi.

The SU4N is an international event spearheaded by Stand Up for Nuclear organizations to advocate for the peaceful uses of Nuclear and Non-Proliferation.

The SU4N event attracted over 40 Nuclear professionals from various Nuclear fields including Health, Academia, Industry, Regulatory Authority, Agriculture, and Climate Change. The nuclear application plays a critical role in Kenya, especially in the treatment of cancers and diagnoses of diseases.

The President of the KYGN network, Mr. Raphael Chesori, kicked off the day with powerful opening remarks.

“We are the young people of this country, the future generation will hold us accountable if we fail to implement the peaceful uses of Nuclear applications. Nuclear is the Future of Technology. All sectors of our economy should be encouraged to apply the peaceful uses of Nuclear Science and Technology.”

According to the KYGN, the country is an economic powerhouse and more developed compared to other Eastern African countries.

The growing economy comes with higher energy demands than what conventional sources can provide.

“This calls for a more Sustainable, Carbon-free, and Reliable source of energy. Nuclear Energy is the best solution to our energy crisis in Kenya. Just a few months ago, homes, institutions, and industries were faced with a blackout.” said Dr. Everlyne Achieng, the SU4N Event co-ordinator.

Dr. Achieng further states that it’s unacceptable in developed countries.

“This is unacceptable in such a developed country. Power surges derail our economy and create business losses and time wastage. We have to choose Nuclear if we want Sustainable Economic Development”.

Kenya is also quickly building its capacity on Nuclear Professionals. Every year, the IAEA, Rosatom, and ISTC among other development partners provide full scholarships to young Kenyan professionals to train, study and develop careers in Nuclear Science and Technology field.

These pieces of training are effected through short courses, masters, and Ph.D. scholarships. Young nuclear professionals are also facilitated to participate in scientific conferences to present their research and also contribute to organizing and running important conference sessions.

As a young nuclear professionals network, they believe Kenya is ready for Nuclear Energy to meet its energy demands and boost economic growth in the region. They note that if South Africa has done it, Kenya can also do it. Nuclear believes that indeed this is the future of Technology.