Wetang’ula cautions over devastating climate change effects
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has cautioned Kenyans to be aware of the ongoing devastating impact of climate change in the region, and called for urgent measures by stakeholders to stem the tide.
Wetang’ula said climate change interventions need a serious commitment because of their adverse and disruptive effects to human ecosystems, human operations and subsistence, as well as to human wellness and overall lifestyles.
“We need not belabour the very well-known realities regarding Climate Change and the greenhouse effects in our lives today. Climate change and the greenhouse effects are attributed directly and indirectly to human activity,” he said.
Making reference to various authorities including the Federal Institute of Science and Technology in US, he noted that global warming is the average rise in temperature on the earth’s surface (both land and at the oceans) which leads to changes in the global climatic patterns or climate change and is one of the gravest crises facing the whole world today.
He was speaking at Mt Kenya University’s 23rd graduation ceremony held under the theme Embracing Law, Science and Technology for Advancement of Climate Change interventions in Thika town last weekend.
Over 6,000 students from 12 different countries were conferred Degrees and awarded Diplomas. Among them were 15 PhDs, 349 Masters, and 3,618 Bachelor’s Degree recipients.
Wetang’ula, who was the chief guest, reminded the graduates and their parents, varsity managers and dons that on September 8, 2021, President Uhuru Kenyatta officially declared drought in the arid and semi-arid (ASAL) parts of Kenya a national disaster.
“Fifteen out of 23 ASAL counties have experienced widespread droughts in the last two years alongside the entire Horn of Africa. This as a global and not an isolated phenomenon,” he said.
He said calls for multi-faceted strategies and use of law, science, technology and innovation in sustainable interventions are an obligation to all stakeholders. “All governments and their agencies across the world, NGOs, institutions of higher learning, business communities, professional bodies, and all other stakeholders working together are called upon to contribute individually and collectively towards this glaring danger of our current times,” he added.
Wetang’ula said the rise in research on “greenhouse” effects and climate change mitigation is a vital input by universities and research organisations for bridging the glaring national policy gaps. These include areas of environmental education, consumer behaviour, rewarding and sanctions systems, as well as in legislation and government or organisational support in climate change mitigation.
MKU founder Prof Simon Gicharu (pictured), said the climate change challenge comes with numerous opportunities for innovative and creative entrepreneurs. “These include coming up with innovative solutions for clean and green energy, tree planting, restoration of water towers, conservation, and Cloud Seeding Technology,” he said.
