The Carbon Cycle

At the current climate change intercessional in Bonn, Germany, strong emphasis is being placed on the need to reconcile science and politics in order to increase ambition in solving the climate change challenge.

In this spirit, I would like to share with you a fun but highly educative video on the Carbon Cycle. We are all talking about the devastating effects of climate change, but how many of us can clearly articulate how climate change occurs from a scientific perspective?

Enjoy!




By: Kennedy Liti Mbeva

Last Planet Standing

By: Gladys N. Gatiba

What proof exists to show that there was life on earth before we came to being…and by the way when did we come to being, the human race? Is it the time of Adam and Eve as the Holy Book says…is it during the evolution of man from homopithecus to homosapiens sapiens..

The world may have been a paradise and heaven like in our greatest grandparents time, they had adequate of it all, food, water etc, floods could have been a form of punishment during the time of Noah and drought and famine during the time of Moses…or were they birth…I meant population control methods of nature? Man begun experimenting…he discovered fire, then discovered the wheel, his brain and eyes gradually opened up to the world of opportunities, to his ability to innovate and charge the world, Acculturate it to his preference, then came colonization, industrialization, globalization etc came the rise of incurable diseases like cancers and HIV, men became their own enemies, growth and development at the expense of their counterparts, it is survival for the fittest. Manufacturing goods to improve living standards and comfort…even creating ‘new improved ‘human beings, test tube babies.

Impacts of our industrial human activities have begun catching up with us, floods, earth quakes long periods of drought…but we are still evolving, we are still trying to overcome the same challenges we created, GMO food to climate proof while worsening the situation further this food is being fed to our children hence ‘GMO children’ are coming up, a 13 year old girl looks 20 years of age.

Planet Venus, the morning and evening star and the goddess of love has been described to have the same gravity as earth and almost the same size. But up-close with this planet shows you what we might be heading to, global warming gone wild, a ball of fire abundant in volcanic activity yellow clouds: masses of sulfuric acid, the sun drives the planets horrifying activities, hell in the making. Could there have been life in planet Venus but the populace succumbed to global warming, could we be the last planet standing since some of the other planet have also been suspected to have had life. Look at Mars, strange organisms still exist, were they once like us but their destructive activities to their habitat caught up with them? We are an extinct species as well as our habitat…and we could be the only ones’ standing..

Therefore as we loathe the scotching sun, moan the floods, mudslides and disease outbreaks. The result to seeking aid during drought and famine disasters, negotiate and renegotiate our policies but end as climate tourists. Endlessly complain about their industries vomiting pollutants to our air, while we enjoy the products…Cancers have become common phenomena compromising our siblings tomorrow. We call it inhabitable...and point fingers, innovations exceed the number of births…their impacts far reaching but we go mum.

Closer home, we all desire to live in bungalows and work in high-rise offices, a cool home next to the beach, with constant water supply and electricity to run the fridge, TV, water showers, iron boxes, disco-like sound systems, air conditioners etc, in return we open channels of latrine waste to the ocean, lakes and rivers nearby, burn plastics or dump them at the estate corner, clear and burn vegetation for agricultural land which we over cultivate hence soil erosion and loss of fertility.

It gets worse every day….turning our mother earth to planet Venus.. Let us not wait until we’ve lost it all. Let us save the remaining good one’s…let’s live sustainable lifestyles and promote sustainable development, give this planet longer life We only got one habitable planet, one world, and one earth.

AYICC-K GIVES A PRESENTATION AT THE MERCY CORPS CONFERENCE

 Antony giving a brief of what to expect during the presentation

On Monday the 30^th of April 2013, AYICC-K was invited to give a presentation to the Mercy Corps regional directors who were participating in an in house conference. This conference brought together all the directors including the country director and the assistant. This was a very interesting and challenging presentation first because we were dealing with an audience which did not have an understanding of what climate change is but was interested in taking part and playing a role in its mitigation and secondly because we had to use 20minutes to make them understand and convince them that it is worth playing a major role in its mitigation and adaptation. AYICC-K was represented by Antony Ogolla, the Chief Coordinator and Njeri Nancy who participated in the capacity not only as a member of the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change  (AYICC-K) ,but also as a communication intern at the Kenya School of Government. The conference was geared towards fostering cordial relations with AYICC-K and possible future engagements on tackling climate change from the youth perspectives.

  A section of the participants during the presentation

                            

Just to bring you up to speed with this organization, African Youth Initiative on Climate Change –Kenyan chapter is an umbrella organization which provides a platform for young people to engage in various activities for personal growth and also towards initiating sustainable developments and environmental conservation.

We hear about it, other times see it and in extreme circumstances, have first-hand experience on the adverse effects that come along with it. However; most of us have dry knowledge when it comes to climate change .This is attributed to the thought many possess concerning the same. However, climate change remains the biggest threat to humanity in modern times. The African continent is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and science affirms that if the emissions aren’t curbed, droughts and floods will be more common and agricultural yields which form the backbone of most of Africa’s economy will decline dramatically. The result will be starvation, migration, resource wars and tremendous suffering.

Mercy Corps works with youth to address the root of conflict and empower them to champion peace. In addition, they promote sustainable change by supporting initiatives that are community-led, market-driven and promote good governance, a goal which the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change also upholds. For this purpose therefore, youth and climate change is one of the areas the organization endeavors to engage in and AYICC-K is best suited to provide the needed platform for their youth.

About Mercy Corps

The organization was founded in 1979 as Save the Refugees Fund, a task force organized by Dan O’Neill in response to the plight of Cambodian refugees fleeing the famine, war and genocide of the “killing fields.” Its mission is to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. In its operation the organization believes that

• Communities are the best agents of their own change.
• Local markets are the best engines of sustainable recovery.
• Success is built on the foundation of good governance.

The organization employs the following strategy in its work

• Focus on places in transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval or economic collapse present opportunities to challenge the status quo and build more secure, productive and just communities.
• Provide emergency relief in times of crisis, then move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks.
• Promote sustainable change by supporting initiatives that are community-led, market-driven and promote good governance.
• Seek innovation that creates major breakthroughs against poverty and lasting change in the places we work.

 Njeri giving a brief about AYICC-K

                                           

    Prepared by Antony Ogolla and Njeri Nancy

Racing for the Earth: Earth Day 2013

Enthusiastic Earth Day Participants

As the population breaks it banks and competes with amount of gradual increase of waste in our suburbs and street allies as our industries belch out smoke and toxins to mother earth, as negotiator s strategize on their next move and stand in COP 19 the earth is weeping of the impacts of  human interest. This therefore calls for more hands on actions to reduce our impacts on our environment and for intensive of all stakeholders’ participation towards achievement of the same. It is against this backdrop that African Youth Initiative on Climate Change Kenya (AYICC),  in partnership with Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), Community and the youth of Thogoto village, Kikuyu came together to celebrate the earth as they joined other worldwide Earth Day celebration on 21st April 2013. It was in an effort to “give back” to the earth for its goodness in through its various services provisioning: their productive agricultural lands, cultural: traditional religious centers, regulatory: climate, air and water quality control e.g. the ondiri swamp, supportive: production of oxygen and soil formation.

The celebration was done in style: cycle for the environment dubbed Earth Race attraction participation of professional and upcoming cyclist from Ridestrong Cycling Foundation, Safari Simbaz and individual participants young and old. 

Earth Race cyclists all ready to go!

By: Gladys N. Gatiba

Earth Day 2013: Press Release

“Earth Race”

Release Date: 21^st April 2013

Venue:  Thogoto Town Centre,

Time: 9am – 4pm

 “There is a need for more unity and synergy in promoting environmental conservation”. These remarks were made by Mr. Francis Wainaina, Kikuyu County Representative yesterday during 2013’s Earth Race at Thogoto Town Centre. The activity was organised by Ride-strong cycling foundation in partnership with African Youth Initiative on Climate Change – Kenya (AYICC-K) http://www.kenyanclimateyouth.blogspot.com to mark this year’s World Earth Day  (http://www.earthday.org). The event dubbed Thogoto Green Earth Race Challenge – 2013 aimed at raising awareness on sustainable lifestyles (cycling) that enhance the appreciation of the earth’s resources (environment-friendly mode of transport) while building strong, healthy and drug free youth who will foster a green economy nation to eradicate poverty and curb climate change.

The event drew its participants from over 1,000 local community, leaders (County Rep Mr. Francis Wainaina), cyclists, universities (Nairobi University, Kenyatta University, Presbyterian University of East Africa), Non Governmental Organisations (wildlife Africa and Nature products), Government Agencies (e.g. municipal council) Community Based Organisations (Thogoto Usafi Self Help Group) as well as private sector.

The event features tree planting, where the local community joined hands in tree planting, cycling, entertainments as well as presentations from different participants. The cyclists went through an endearing 50Km course around the Kikuyu area. The competition categories were women category - 2 participants, elites category – 10 participants, junior category 9 partipants, black mamba category – 6 participants, all covering 50 kms. The overall winner was Mr. David Kinja who completed the race in 1 hours and 41 minutes.

In his speech, the county representative noted and acknowledged the youth’s commitment in environmental conservation and pledged his full support in such initiatives. His remarks were echoed by different speakers who pointed out that environmental conservation is a responsibility of every citizen.

Fagging off of the cycling race

The cycling team after the race

Tree planting, which was part of the event

Some of the participants who attended the event

Kiambu county representative issuing certificate to winners

The overall winner, Mr David Kinja

PROUD SPONSORS: Pan African Climate Justice Alliance PACJA, Nature Production, Green Africa Foundation, Reriani Hotels, Alphine Coolers, Kiambu County Municipal, Kenya Red Cross Kenya Police and  Wildlife Africa.

Prepared by: Kennedy Wahome

The Quest For Sustainable Cities; The UN-HABITAT 24th Governing Council

Some of the delegates at the conference

The 24^th United Nation Human Settlements Programme UNHABITATGC24 was held in the United Nation Office in Nairobi UNON- Kenya from the 15^th to the 19^th April 2013 under the theme of Sustainable Urban Development: The Role of Cities In Creating Improved Economic Opportunities For All, With Special Reference To Youth and Gender. The governing council was a biennial meeting attended by members of the United Nations, the United Nations organizations including specific agencies, the Habitat agenda partners, intergovernmental organizations, Local authorities, and non-governmental organizations; a total of 1144 delegates from 107 countries attended the meeting. The UNHABITAT director Joan Clos and the Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta opened the meeting creating a lot of forwardness looking in the coming days of the meeting. The meeting began on a high note recognizing the young people and women that is the UHNABITAT Youth Unit and women unit for taking part in the Governing Council. 

The Conference started on a high note highlighting the need to create Sustainable cities since the world is moving toward urban life and there was need to improve cities lives, Cities are becoming interdependent and similar in away because of networking and there was need to encourage Local Authorities, national governments regional and international bodies to create more networking opportunities. The meeting also Highlighted inclusivity and diversifying leadership for a sustainable future. It was noticed that migration to cities still creates gettorization, women and youth being the majority victims. Women and youth are the majority population and if they are neglected this causes Urban crisis a good example brought by the Somali delegate deputy Major of Mogadishu, Iman Nur Icar “The word Shaabab means youth and if they are neglected they organize themselves and carry out bandit business” his calls out for inclusion of youth and women in building the future cities we want; they are not only leaders of tomorrow but they lead now in building a sustainable future. Women and young people are also policy implementers and the need to include them in policy making will stop distance decay between the Policy conductors and implementers. For effective planning there should be a harmonious relation btw the two parties which are implementers and formulators. The meeting also highlighted the need to enhance diversity and inclusion at local, national, regional and global level including harmonizing the relationship between civil societies and governments; this relation will help in bringing comprehensive development. The need for networking with different entities creates an opportunity for diversifying leadership and inclusivity. 

Economic issues came on the table and academics highlighted that majority of women in the Global south still cannot access capital this makes it had for women to reflect in the world’s economy. Land is very crucial issues as public land still have a question. There is need for legal land policies which will sustain public land financial mechanism. Urbanization resolution will only be achieved if societies come from tilling the land to levying land.

The United Nations, for statistical purposes, defines “youth,” as those persons between the ages of 15 and 24 years, approximately one billion youth live in the world today. This means that one person in five is between the age of 15 and 24 years, or 18% of the world’s populations are "youth", and children (5-14 years) comprise of 19.8%, by the year 2025 the population of rural-urban migration will increase and majority will be women and youth; this calls for their inclusion in decision making. The majority (almost 85%) of the world’s youth live in developing countries, with approximately 60 percent in Asia alone. A remaining 23 percent live in the developing regions of Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. By 2025, the number of youth living in developing countries will grow to 89.5%. Therefore, it is necessary to take youth issues into considerations in the development agenda and policies of each country. There are efforts already made in building sustainable cities and yet extra miles effort is still are still needed. The United Nation system has made tireless efforts to include young people in decision making since 1948 the Universal declaration for human rights. 

Democracy is the best form of governance when it comes to youth engagement in the decision making. Open systems will create an environment for young people to take part in leadership. Today we have the youth structure at the united nation tabling the youth agenda. During the UNHABITAT 24^th governing council the UNHABITAT youth unit Youth Advisory Board YAB, comprising of representatives of all regions across the world organized youth forums and also participating at the high level meeting rubbing shoulders with policy makers to influence decisions. Emphases were made on the use of Information Communication and Technology ICT as a tool to create change. Through ICT a network of young people can be used to handle both common and different challenges facing the young population across the globe. YAB emphasized on the use of ICT as a means of communication and engagement in the quest for positive change. ICT has made the world a global village this helps the world population to communicate across the globe and it is sustainable as compared to physical meetings

The GC24 conference recognized the Government of Brazil’s hosting of the High Level Panel on Youth at Rio +20 through which the final declaration supports the ongoing work on UN-Habitat and the Youth 21 initiative in developing processes to better engage youth within the UN system. The Norwegian government has supported the Young people and adults share joint responsibility on the advisory board to The UN-HABITAT Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-led Development established in 2009 including the YOUTH21 which was launched in Oslo in 2011.  The federal Government  of Nigeria and Ondo State in Nigeria  contributed USD 5 million to United Nation human settlement Programme; the USD 2 million from Ondo State government  will be used to help different programmes including youth empowerment, slum grading local economic enterprises and land reforms. Nigeria has also taken the lead in Africa in tabling youth policy at the national level; this is a legal framework to bring the youth in decision making table. A lot of private sector also shown interest in supporting the initiative this includes the Chandaria industries in Kenya, Baden Aniline and Soda Factory, BSF from Germany. 

The Governing council brought resolutions and highlighted the need to create structures, strategies and dialogue initiative which will support sustainable cities. Several resolutions were adopted after five days of intense discussions and negotiations impacting positively on the work of UN-Habitat and the lives of millions of urban dwellers.

REFERENCES

http://www.unhabitat.org/list.asp?typeid=17&catid=744

http://www.unhabitat.org/list.asp?typeid=18&catid=744

http://www.papersmart.unon.org/habitatgc24/  

Compiled by: Clifford Collins Omondi