AN UNNECESSARY EVIL

MUNINCIPAL WASTES: AN UNNECESARY EVIL

What comes into your mind whenever you flip over a magazine and catchy heading meets your eyes about uncollected heaps of garbage at our towns? The municipalities, through the local government act are mandated to ensure a conducive and sustainable environment within their designated area. Solid waste management is a duty in their check list.

This conservation exercise entails collection, transportation and disposal of the wastes on a daily basis. Paradoxically, bulk of unmanaged municipal waste scatters everywhere - Along streets, open fields, in verandahs and within business and residential places. It is partially true to allege that a big number of municipal residents have a poor conversation record but extremely true that the municipalities are overwhelmed by the garbage crisis. Generated quantities of these unwanted materials have surpassed management capabilities. Literary scholars would refer this phenomenon as a chronic problem while conservationists would call it waste menace.

Whichever phrase describes the situation, this is an unnecessary evil that merits outright address.

The ineffectiveness and underperformance by the municipalities is attributed to lack of enough equipment as transportation Lorries, personnel and funding in retrospect to the changing social and economic patterns. Population numbers have increased and technological advancements occurred rapidly. Cultures have been transformed, lifestyles changed and the sickening `throw away’ habit perfected. Strewn litter everywhere is not an act of half sober or immature minds but shameful and unintelligent deeds of fully conscious people.

I refuse to believe these garbage mountains are indicators of weak council by – laws or limited dumping sites within the municipalities. I totally refuse to believe too, that it is either due to lack of any conservation legislature at all.

Not long ago, most people gave little or no thought to this municipal waste affair. But lately, headlines on uncollected, stinky and unsightly garbage in our counties have grabbed the attention of environmental activists, students and the public. These headlines have fixed in the public mind the idea that municipalities are becoming incapable of managing wastes generated by the society. Thus, as the media carries out stories on municipal waste crisis, tertiary level students should undertake to carry out researches to establish facts about the waste menace and avail solutions – which could be privatization of garbage services or strict adaptation of conservation techniques of re-using, reducing and recycling.

Whether the municipalities really accept the much hyped hypotheses that they are in the midst of garbage crisis is a matter of study scholars should commit to unravel. But what cannot be denied is the view that municipal wastes problem has become a dragon we all should partake to waylay. I urge all to conserve their environments during this festive season. Best Christmas wishes in a clean and healthy environment!!!

THE POINT OF NO RETURN

The point of no return                                  

Over the past couple of years, I suggest, our environment was much healthier than it is today. Nothing much was not in order and if it were, it went unnoticed and didn’t merit any local or international attention whatsoever. Things have changed though, and they have done it in a drastic manner. The pleasantness of nature is on the verge of extinction. The moments of today are presenting extraordinary challenges ranging from a seven billion global population, changing weather patterns-global warming, increase in deaths from non-communicable diseases, emergence of war revolutions and the inability to get a lasting solution to these problems by our global leaders.

My main priority in the series of the events is global warming. It is the defining issue in our era. It doesn’t require the knowledge of anybody’s mother to see the current state of the environment-It is clear and evident like a house set on a mountain top.

Global warming is a fact, not a theory and it has the potential to reshape our planet for all generations to come. The catastrophic consequences of unchecked climate change are clear: severe weather; coastal flooding; drought; ecosystem disruption and deaths due to heat waves, storms, infectious diseases and pollution.

Just to reminisce, nine of every ten disasters plaguing the regions and the globe, according to our unsung heroes whose advice often go unnoticed and unheeded, the meteorologists, are environmental based. If not a cyclone in Philippines, it is an earthquake in Haiti; If it is not a drought somewhere in Kenya, it is floods along the plains of Missisippi river in America; If it is not frost destroying crops in Rift valley Kenya, it is……It is, the list is endless.  

Tragic in our awareness is the terrible irony of climate change: developing countries have contributed least to the problem, but bear the brunt of the consequences. Equally tragic is afore mentioned fact that the world has failed to reach into an amicable solution regarding this problem.

Trying to bury our heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich by refusing to address what ought to be addressed like global warming is simply stupid. Nature will judge us harshly on this and soon the nations, especially the major producers and polluters, will be engulfed in a blame each other cocoon.

This is where we miss the point! We need to be pragmatic and get everyone around the negotiating table so that countries with different interests can hammer out an agreement all can embrace. We need not dwell on the empty philosophical debates of the previous climate summits held in Cancun, Copenhagen and the recent Durban. We need not!

 What we need is an urgent action, a strategic and a tactical programme that will bring the world into the mainstream of environmental sustainability as quickly as possible. Without recognizing the need for an immediate action and commitment into the same, we will be ending up with solutions that don’t solve, answers that don’t answer and explanations that do not explain as manifested in the outcome of December, 2010 climate summit in Cancun and the immediate last year’s Durban Climate Conference in South Africa.

In the latter two, together with the Copenhagen meeting of December 2009, crux in the agenda was to create a new treaty to replace the Kyoto accord (of 1997) which expires this year, 2012. The Durban conference, in particular, paramount in the topics of the day was to create a legal binding treaty and a Global Climate Fund.

 Paradoxically, no agreeable conclusions were reached unto albeit the urgency of the matter. Disgustingly, the November 2011 Conference, which to many environmental ailing nations could have been the source of their future hope in legally binding and compelling the mega economy countries account and pay for their activities, led into abortive and inconsiderate conclusions.

The `midwifers` of the highly anticipated and low media publicized Conference, as likened to a one Kamba traditional adage, “Threw the baby and retained the placental.”

With this progress, if any, one should not be condemned or branded as a prophet of doom by asserting that the climate has gone runaway and we will actually reach the point of no return (+2 degrees Celsius higher average global temperature) soonest in the foreseeable future as early as 2030s or late 2020s.

Plus-two degree Celsius, above the comfortable 15 degrees of the average global temperature, is the point of no return because after that the additional warm triggers natural process that speed the warming. The permafrost melts and emits enormous amounts of greenhouse gases. The oceans become much warmer and lose their ability to absorb carbon dioxide, which, currently is a high profile pollutant and contributes to climate change no matter where on the surface of the planet is emitted.

Human health will not either be spared. Many people will get sick, die or suffer from environmental stresses begot by environmental degradation. Plants and animals will find it difficult to adjust to these effects of global warming, and extinction will be inevitable. Agricultural prospects will nosedive in areas like my own Ukambani, and flourish in others like the Rift valley.

After these activities, just cutting human emissions will not stop the warming. I am tempted to ask, “Where will we go from here?”

In overall, various suggestions have been, put forward to mitigate, adapt and try to avert the looming disasters. Maybe we penetrate legislation on conservation and climate on the laws of the land; maybe we impose tighter environmental restrictions in retrospect to the growing global investments; maybe, maybe… but none of the proposals has been seriously adhered. Our Climate Change Authority Act-2012 and the newly established Land and Environment Court will likely bring transformation.

The clock is ticking and it is ticking fast. Failure to devote ourselves into addressing these environmental problems will be a time bomb!

 However, in recent ago, am profoundly impressed and inspired by the new energy the youth have risen with to conserve the environment. At a time when leaders question the value of dialogue and progress over the matter, they have in great vigor engaged in environmental marches, debates, tree-planting exercises, and through social blogging in creating awareness about our surroundings.

They have hope and ideas for the future and want to know if their leaders will take steps to end global warming and preserve the planet - Gods beautiful creation. Their efforts may not make headlines, but I fervently believe 2012 and the years to come will be good years for climate change. Wish you a healthy environment! Adieu.

CONSERVATION BALLAD

 

                    CONSERVATION BALLAD

If our children will one day, enjoy the nature’s beauty and its marvels,

We must conserve!

If our environment will keep providing for the current and generations to come,

                        We must conserve!

If our nations want to prosper and boost their socioeconomic goals,

                        We must conserve!

If the world is to get rid of the challenge of climate change,

                        We must conserve!

If humanity is to ultimately cherish Gods providence on Earth,

                        We must conserve!

Let us unite and conserve our environment.

AN ARCHIVE: IN MEMORY OF MAATHAI

CHEPKOILEL HONOURS LATE PROF. MAATHAI

Every living person lives their life differently. But the practical and pragmatic lives of some leave a lot to be desired. Positively or negatively. Just to mention, the life and habits of one legend columnist Emmanuel Kiboro (real names withheld), and who happens to be in the list of my role models, amazes and inspires in both measure.

It is astonishing and perplexing; but he simply doesn’t attend burials or other ceremonials as weddings. Not because he believes in some supernatural’s or abhors the dead, no! But because of some pragmatic life principles he believes in and holds on tightly. It is a weird mantra in life but after not a tiring search, I came to adore and almost emulate this way of life.

            The false faces people put after death of a person perturb Kiboro. He’s more disturbed by the feigned affection and cynical love expressed by folks who surrounded the deceased person.

 In a nut shell, he’s drained and dazed by the way people sing praises and ululations to others when they die yet when alive they despised, disdained what they did and punched holes in life paper of their character, dignity and worthiness. Am left wondering, are exceptional considerations and worth given only when one lives?

Much is going around in words and actions towards the demise of our environmental icon professor Wangari Maathai. Appreciation is flowing from North-South, East-West of our globe for the heroic activities she did though faced mountains of hostilities - but was kept moving by the motivation and passion she had for her duty.                                                                                                           

A duty in life to protect the environment, care for Mother Nature and adhere to the sublime principles of our Judeo-Christian traditions. Rest in eternal peace mother!

Massive tree planting exercise is going on locally and internationally as a tribute and an authentic way to continue what our tenacious and bold Maathai did and loved doing – nurturing our common home and a crusader for the environmental gospel of protection.

My concern is for how long would this take place? Will it go on for a month or two and everything is forgotten? Will there be enthusiastic tree planters come the end of the year or years to come or will this noble idea escape our minds immediately we send her off? My wish and prayer is to see the same ‘protection spirit’ now and forever.

Here at Chepkoilel University College things were not different. In marking Wangari Maathai’s send off celebrated on Saturday 8^TH October, 2011, students, teaching and non-teaching staff came together, marched and planted trees in honor of the departed environmental icon.

Her work inspires all and in determination and humility this beloved Chepkoilel community, led by the principal professor Elijah Biamah acknowledged Maathai’s work and left a trail for others to follow.

In his key note speech before the various students’ movements in the university, the principal emphasized on the importance of planting trees and the long term plan the entire administration and Chepkoilel fraternity had embarked on of caring for its environs and promoting all efforts geared towards sustainability and protection.

On their part, the school of environmental studies dean, Dr. V. Sudoi, Dr. Simiyu and Dr. Kagongo, their concerns on the environment were fundamental that all should unite and take personal responsibilities in shaping our planet.

We cannot afford to plant now and forget to take care of these seedlings lest they wither in a month. We can’t afford to sit and watch as others interfere with the environment, the environment we all habit and depend on.                                                                                                        We cannot afford to live in half polluted and half clean environment.                                             We sincerely cannot!

 Our motivation should be the same on matters pertaining to our nature. Our commitment should be the corner stone that holds our dedicated efforts in protecting and nurturing nature with love and care. Devoid of it our long marches under the scorching sun of Chepkoilel in quest for environmental protection would be meaningless.

The long hours spent behind the blocks planting trees would result to time wasted and a poor record of uselessness. Yes, it would be purposeless and unnecessary. Our communal pride in future would be seeing these planted seedlings grown, nurtured and tolerant to the environmental stresses.

This will be an explicit manifestation and fruition to our efforts and our concern regarding our surroundings and life on earth. However, we should never succumb to the temptation of immediately forgetting the duty we have taken in protecting the environs around us, here or elsewhere.

 Our esteem should go even a notch higher in championing for proper care to our environment. Profoundly because it is the ladder to life for current and the future generations. We should never relent in the fight to defeat the evil forces and drivers of environmental destruction against the shining forces of protectionism. Threat to environment anywhere is threat to environment everywhere.

In conclusion, my hope is for an environmental savvy Chep community, fully aware of their surroundings here and away and immensely spirited to lead the scene and keep it green. Let us not only rise in our togetherness in planting trees because an occasion has triggered it, but equally rise to the exercise freely when called upon to, anytime and anywhere, because this is our environment and it affects us all. Wish you an healthy environment and an eventful October.

An archive: In honor of Maathai #9^th Oct, 2011#

KID LOVE FOR NATURE

                        Kids love for nature – Central primary, Eldoret

A visit to Central primary school less than a kilometer away from Eldoret Town would invoke a colossus of intrigues on the marvels of its natural surrounding. At first glance into the compound one thinks it is a botanical garden. Not until you sway your eyes and realize that it’s a school sandwiching an expansive nursery bed, full grown indigenous trees and well maintained blocks of beauty flowers.

My desire to ask a question about what my eyes had just seen is interrupted by our host’s introductory remarks detailing the conservation activities taking place in his school. The school, he says, encourages pupils to be environmentally savvy and has thus allocated enough space in its environs for annual tree planting exercises. Different species, after personal inspection, have been widely planted, managed and properly nurtured. These include Casuarinas, Gravellier, Nandi flame, Jacaranda, Cyprus, Blue gum, Pinus and lots of home flowers – Roses, Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, Copper leaf, Vitex, Golden Duretus e.t.c.

It further downs to us that the massive tree nursery bed is owned by the pupils and it is these lovely kids who protect and operate its management activities in their free time. They boast of having over ten thousand tree seedlings of varied species which they believe no school, or even certain colleges within Uasin Gishu County would surpass their seedling numbers or match their prowess in promoting conservation matters.

 To boost labor in their nursery, proceeds from their seedlings are used to employ additional workers, who ensure daily management activities as root pruning, weeding and watering are effectively performed.

Doubly inspiring, the primary school has an environmental club that comprise of standard seven and eight pupils. The club takes pride in engaging in environmental protection matters that entail tree planting, discussions and partnering in regional environmental clean up exercises around the Town occasionally organized by the Eldoret Municipality and other oriented movements especially from Chepkoilel university college.

Their endeavor to nurture nature befits laureate prize recognition but since this may take too long before it arrives, my prayer is that God grants these Central primary angels passion and vigor to continue doing what they do best as they pursue academic excellence.

It is emulating to other primary schools to embark on this nature improving exercise, which guarantees a healthy and a clean environment for all.

It impresses to see school children who unknowingly contribute towards achievement of the millennium development goal number seven that emphasizes on environmental sustainability juggle books and conservation.

Thus, it is a challenge to you out there who still cut trees haphazardly, drop litter anyhow, refuse to plant trees, and commit other environmental travesties and walk scot-free…a voice is calling from somewhere in the outskirts of Eldoret Town. From the tender voices of Central primary environmental club pupils; that there is a need to show love to our nature; there is a need to protect this planet; there is a need to protect mans’ only home. There is a need!

My accompanying friends, not forgetting Mr. Kosgei – who aided this environmental excursion – left the school fully conscious that there’s a need to conserve and that the spirit to conserve should be nurtured from an early age . I exit.