This archive report was first published on 5 December 2019.
Published on December 5, 2019, as the world converges in Madrid, Spain, for the COP25 climate summit, it's imperative to recognize the crucial role of individual efforts in mitigating climate change.
Two prominent climate champions, Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai and 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, have inspired a global movement to address climate injustice, insensitivity, and exclusion.
The current generation, led by Ms. Thunberg, and those after will suffer catastrophic consequences if we fail to act. To secure their future, we must mitigate the occurrence of climate-related crises such as climate grief, emergency, global heating, and suffering.
Kenya is not immune to the devastating effects of climate change. Recent reports from West Pokot and Makueni counties have highlighted the dire consequences of unpredictable weather patterns, from extreme rainfall to drought.
As the world focuses on limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C, it's essential to acknowledge the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing countries, particularly in Africa. The continent has already experienced the devastating effects of climate-related disasters, such as the Mozambique and Zimbabwe typhoons.
Maathai's call to action, likening individuals to the proverbial hummingbird that takes tiny drops of water to extinguish a fire, is a powerful reminder of the potential for collective action. Our young generation, organized through national and international youth movements like Scouts and Girl Guides, has the capacity to mobilize communities and become champions of environmental conservation.
However, the world must provide the necessary resources and political will to support these young climate champions. The doubtful commitment to the Paris Agreement by world powers is a major setback that must be addressed.
