NOW OR NEVER.

According to the United Nations, climate change (global warming), refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle. Unfortunately, research shows since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. The consequences of the widescale changes currently being observed in planet Earth's climate system could be considerable, as it worsens, dangerous weather events are becoming more severe.

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With temperatures expected to increase 1.5 times higher than the rest of the world by the end of the 21st century, African countries will see shorter rain spells leading to droughts or heavier rains causing floods, leading to reduced food production because they lack the infrastructure and support systems present. Mozambique has emerged as the most vulnerable to climate change in Africa, with the World Bank emphasizing that “limited treasury space and social vulnerabilities in Mozambique are worsened by climate and disaster shocks impacting growth and development” on a regular basis.

Kenya, being located right at the equator, has led to high temperatures all year, which has also been influenced by changes in weather patterns. Change in weather patterns basically means the weather to become locked in a repeating pattern. The same weather will occur day after day. Then suddenly one day the weather changes and for example dry weather for 2 weeks becomes rainy weather for a week. Weather related hazards include rise in sea level, floods, droughts, landslides, lightening or thunderstorms and strong winds that may end up causing wild fires. All these affect agriculture risking food sources and livelihoods. 

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Environmental issues leading to global warming in Kenya include; emision of greenhouse gasses, deforestation/desertification, domestic/industrial pollution or even pollution of water bodies and the Kenyan coastline through organic waste, fertilizers and plant nutrients, toxic chemicals, heat, petroleum (oil) leading to disruption to the natural food chain.

H.E William Ruto in his speech at UNGA in New York City adrresed impact of drying water reservoirs/sources, to rise in food prices. "We cannot afford to waste another moment debating the merits of doing something vis a vis doing nothing,” he said. “It will soon be too late to reverse the course of events.” In quest curb this global situation, Kenya submitted her first Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) on 28 December 2016, as part to the Paris Agreement. The mitigation contribution intended to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emission by 30% by 2030. In 2020, Kenya updated the commitment to reduce GHG emissions to 32% by 2030. 

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According to American Metrological Society global warming may be managed through regulations, research, development and deployment of new technologies like use of electric cars and industries that recycle plastics, afforestation, conservation of forests, increase in public awareness and adding a price to greenhouse gas emissions to encourage reduction of emissions broadly. Unless we do so, wildlife and their habitat will be destroyed, leading to mass species extinction. Drought and heat waves would become increasingly common and extreme. Agricultural production would decline further, likely leading to global food shortages and famine. Lets all put our time and energy in our different capacities to save our planet.