ISSUE 17
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How eco-friendly are you?
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3Rs: The commitment to have a friendly environment
Table of Contents 08
If insects die out, humanity loses
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Driving sustainability: ORNACO contribution to conservation
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Embracing climate change-agriculture and energysustainability
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Providing sustainable homes in Africa
Credits Executive Editor Dr. Edward Mungai
Editorial Directors
Prabhakar Vanam, Ruth Ndegwa
Managing Editors
Ernest Chitechi, Kennedy Ouma
Senior Editor
Solomon Irungu N.
Editors
Pamela Okutoyi
Writers
Amanda Kibe, Arnold Muthanga, Grace Mwangi, Halima Imam, Kennedy Oalo, Mwalya Wambua, Pamela Okutoyi
Contributors
Lisbeth Kamau, Faith Kibor
Photography
KCIC Consulting Ltd and other sources Layout Levi Wanakacha and Brian Alili
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Editorial
Hello Readers,
If you grew up outside of the city, and I think there are a few of you, something strange takes place as the festival season draws near. The confusion created by childhood memories of anticipating a season filled with friends, fireflies and afternoon naps with windows wide open and a fresh breeze blowing the sheer curtains. (That is a picture from my childhood.)
Juxtaposed to reality – the feeling of utter DREAD of the approaching oven we will soon be enclosed in. No more cool walks in the park, unless it is at 4 a.m.; not even a nod from neighbours as they quickly slip behind garage doors and confine themselves to their cool cocoons; and going out only when absolutely necessary, with enough sunscreen layered on our rapidly ageing skin to create a deathly pallor.
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But, I have some good news. This issue of our magazine is stretching out with a summer book that transports you to faraway places. Our authors act
as guides through local rivers and transnational corporate reckonings, inviting you into their own personal relationships with environmental change. So, join us as we explore the importance of surrounding yourself with sustainable and eco-friendly products which set centre stage in the rest of our lives and how we care for the Earth.
We have so many great articles in this issue. Climate change is on the front pages again. An advocate of climate action, Halima Imam, spells out how major shifts in attitude and behaviour are key ingredients in tackling climate change. The vast nature of environmental problems can be overwhelming, but Kennedy Oalo spins a story of how his organization, ORNACO, contributes to the conservation of the environment. He shares his work with children, and it is incredible how much more we all can offer. It is no doubt that change does not come through wishful thinking. So
in our headline piece, “How ecofriendly are you?”, Amanda Kibe and I share practical steps you can quickly adopt into your lifestyle to become environmentally friendly. Read “If Insects die out, humanity losses” to learn how the small crawling creatures drive our existence on this planet Earth. Halima Imam is keen to point out the dangers that lie ahead for humanity in the case of disregarding these precious creatures. In this moment of renewed respect for agriculture and our energy supply, take a moment to read Arnold Muthanga’s thoughts on how the two sectors can embrace climate change and the need for nations to view climate response as a process, not an event. The way we feel about the environment and our impact on it matters. And in “The commitment to have a friendly environment,” Mwalya Wambua shows that the 3Rs of reusing, recycling, and reducing are essential to us living an enjoyable life. We, humans, hold great affection for our homes and places nostalgic to us. In her piece “Providing Sustainable homes,” Michelle Mung’ata vocalizes the emotional toll of reflecting on the expiring natural world — and our role in its demise. So how can we ensure the buildings and structures we construct are sustainable?
The myriad ways that waste impacts the sustainability of our planet go well beyond what we can see. In “The circularity in sustainability,” Grace Mwangi articulates how to gradually move towards achieving a closed loop through recycling of end-of-life products and materials. So, take one last look at your light switch, household cleaning products, water tap, and childhood LEGOs; then dig into our seventeenth issue of the Live Green Magazine to learn their destiny in a sustainable universe. One thing is for sure: You will never look at any of them in the same way.
Enjoy the read!
Pamela Okutoyi Editor
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Your attitude to climate change is costing us our home By Halima Imam
The world seems to be evolving in decarbonizing the ozone layer, but we do not seem to be doing it nearly fast enough. What we need at this stage is a revolution and not slow and steady progress. November of 2015 saw over 150 countries come together in Paris to reach an agreement that would help put measures to mitigate the rise in temperature that has plagued our planet to a limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius. With the global climate action tracker, it is evident that the temperature keeps rising. It is also apparent that countries have not set ambitious targets to reach the goals of the Paris agreement. Even with the ‘lazy’ targets that many governments have developed, they have failed woefully to deliver on them.
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Nevertheless, climate change catastrophe can be avoided and its effects mitigated. We have the ability and technology to make all that come to reality. The stumbling blocks, however, are our social, political and cultural inclinations. Evidence from behaviour research has shown that our inaction and apathy towards environmental sustainability do not stem from pure ignorance. Instead, it is an upshot of people’s greed for choosing profit over the planet and flawed and misplaced leaders’ priorities, be it social or political. From having a lack of or almost non-existent framework to support carbon lock-in and inadequacies in how we are challenged
to seeing the gravity of the situation concerning our own lives, inaction breeds harm. Despite explosive extreme weather events globally, issues relating to the environment are treated with so much laxity that only people suffering from its immediate consequences are concerned. Public awareness and understanding are exponential components of effective responses to climate change. However, what is to ponder is understanding whether people are even aware that global warming is happening. The fact that most greenhouse emissions and global climate change are human-caused should be agonizing enough because it poses a severe risk to human societies and natural ecosystems. Understanding the scientific consensus that human-caused global warming is quintessential and knowing what the solutions are for individuals, communities, nations, and the world as a whole is requisite. Climate change polls measure, track, and explain the current state and underlying drivers of public beliefs and attitudes about climate change are essential factors in environmental sustainability. The majority of people from poor and middle-income countries who are significant victims of the devastation of climate change do not take it seriously, and those who have decided to take it up passionately are seen as birdbrained and ‘jokers’. Our attitude has come a long way in getting us all in the mess that we
have found ourselves at the moment. Food waste, improper waste disposal, glorifying single-use plastics, using firewood and coal for cooking have helped fuel the climate emergency in most regions of the world. Continuous emission of greenhouse gas as end products of our lifestyle has caused us to be in a constant state of rising heatwaves and increasing sea levels. A paradigm shift from our conventional and nonchalant attitude towards the safety of our environment is the only mitigating factor we need to slow down the speed with which the ‘climate is fighting back. We have to open our minds that no one will fix our home, and we cannot exist on a nonexistent planet. Climate change is so big a problem that it is obviously too much for one person to make a meaningful difference. While scientists use physical processes and mathematical models like the greenhouse effect and ocean acidification to describe climate change, most of us know and understand them well; however, we should concentrate on our attitude. Lifestyle change, talking to neighbours, strangers, co-workers about climate change will undoubtedly alter our trajectories. However, the most significant factor to help us secure a future will be the will to do. Our efforts could seem like a drop in the bucket right now, but once we have so many other drops in the bucket, our planet will certainly be more sustainable, and we can then wake up every morning to a literal breath of fresh air.
Halima Imam is an advocate of climate action. axk4lima@gmail.com
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Source: Pixels.com
Driving sustainability: ORNACO contribution to conservation By Kennedy Oalo
The planet is capable of generating finite quantities of resources that range from water to food. The same planet can only withstand a particular degree of greenhouse gas emissions to remain healthy. This one planet is what human beings have and depend on it for their well being and survival. Due to increased consumption however, both nature and individuals now experience severe climate
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consequences, higher amounts of energy used, and the greater demand for resources to house, feed on, clothe, and the materials that everyone requires for their enjoyment. The most significant driver of degradation of the environment is human beings, consuming the available resources in a not sustainable manner. The level of production of goods keeps increasing every day. Such is the reason for
economic growth among affluent western countries and the growth in wealth within the developing nations. Economic growth in the world is achieved via overexploitation of the available resources. A good example is fossil fuels. The world’s resources are experiencing increased pressure, and the constraints to their growth are visible in our present-day society. Despite the threat, there is a significant growth in the population of humans even as economic growth continues to apace. Such is regarded as an integral approach to poverty reduction.
Organization Activities The Organization for Nature Conservation (ORNACO) is working on practical approaches to ensure the prosperity of the planet and the use of resources in a sustainable manner. Our current program seeks to empower children in different
children’s homes in Nairobi and the communities in other parts of the country to sustainably use the available natural resources and adopt innovative environmental practices that will not degrade the environment. Ornaco Kenya engages diverse groups of children and youth in capacity building, tree planting, and growing as a way of conservation technique and as a source of livelihoods towards climate change resilience. We also engage the children in environmental cleanups in different parts of the country. To successfully conduct these activities, we partner with other organizations like plogging Kenya to increase awareness of sustainable waste management. The activities are designed for individual, ecological, and future generations’ benefit because we all depend on a Single Planet Economy.
Kennedy Oalo is the Director of Organization for Nature Conservation (ORNACO)
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If insects die out, humanity loses By Halima Imam
Source: Pixels.com
Most of us dislike the little crawly things, and their buzz just gets on our nerves. Sometimes we even wish that insects could just die out, at least picnics will be more fun and gardening much more pleasant. If you think bugs are just meant to give us the creeps and some other insects just to increase our allergies and give us skin irritation, spread diseases, destroy our crops and serve us the most painful stings there are. You are probably partially right! Sometimes when we hear a loud buzz from a tiny flying creature close to our ears, we just swing into action and try to kill it, well most of us are guilty of ‘numerous counts of first degree murder’ when it comes to serial insect killing.
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Insects live in every environment on our planet but a majority of them are found in warm and moist tropics, they have adapted to a broad range of habitats, successfully finding their own niche, because they eat almost any substance that has nutritional value. Insects are a pivotal component of many ecosystems, where they perform a myriad of important functions. They aerate the soil, pollinate blossoms, and control insect and plant pests. Many insects, especially beetles, are scavengers, feeding on dead animals and fallen trees, thereby recycling nutrients back into the soil. As decomposers, insects help create topsoil, the nutrient-rich layer of soil
that helps plants grow. Burrowing bugs, such as ants and beetles, dig tunnels that provide channels for water benefiting plants. Bees, wasps, butterflies, and ants pollinate flowering plants. Gardeners love the big-eyed bug and praying mantis because they control the size of certain insect populations, such as aphids and caterpillars, which feed on new plant growth. All insects fertilize the soil with the nutrients from their droppings. They have tremendous economic importance. Some insects even produce useful substances, such as honey, wax, lacquer, and silk.
biodiversity of the planet and that is about sixty per cent. They serve as food for other animals like birds, amphibians, lizard’s etcetera and they could go extinct if they don’t have food. About eighty seven percent of all the plant species on the planet need pollination from and by insects. According to research three quarters of the crop varieties that we grow depend on insect pollination. Without insects we would not have all the lovely mouth-watering foods that we have become accustomed to, well without them life would not be worth much now, would it?
Insects have also been used in It is astonishing and bizarre at the medicine. In the past, fly larvae same time that we have been so (maggots) were used to treat reckless with the health of our planet. wounds to prevent or stop gangrene. We are changing the climate in Gangrene is caused by infection of such a way that our damage might dead flesh. Maggots only eat dead become irreversible in a few years. We flesh, so when they are placed on the are still cutting down the rainforest, dead flesh of humans, they clean the eroding the soil, polluting land and wound and prevent infection. Some water with plastic, depleting the hospitals still use this type of treatment. aquifers, overharvesting fish, coral An American Biologist E.O Wilson bleaching and causing biodiversity once said “if all mankind were loss, even though we are pretty sure to disappear, the world they are all dumb things. When it comes to conservation of biodiversity, would regenerate back to what we concentrate on is preserving the rich state of equilibrium the big animals and in all of this that existed ten thousand struggle we are narrowly missing the years ago. If insects were quiet disappearance of insects. Insects make up the majority of
to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos”.
Halima Imam is an advocate of climate action. axk4lima@gmail.com
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Without insects we will be left to battle unending consequences of climate change and our landfills will never decompose (that is without the plastics though), corpses will be left to smell without decomposing, pollination will cease to exist and our food production will dry out exponentially. There will be no food for animals who feed on insects, they will
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begin to die out and it will climb up the ladder until it gets to us humans. Without insects, humans will lose on many fronts, something that none of us will be able to survive. We must therefore protect the insects for environmental sustainability and ultimately because insects can save our lives.
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How eco-friendly are you? By Pamela Okutoyi and Amanda Kibe
Source: Freepik Company S.L.
There are many misconceptions about living an eco-friendly lifestyle, mainly that it is expensive, inconvenient and requires a full head of dreadlocks. In reality, it is easy to be green. Giving the planet a helping hand is just a matter of making one simple change at a time. What is more, there is a big bonus. These small lifestyle changes can save you money. I cannot argue that organic foods and hybrid cars cost more than their conventional counterparts, but there are many cheaper ways to reduce your carbon footprint. In many ways, the environmental movement is not about adding things to one’s life. It is about simplifying
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our actions, cutting out middlemen, thinking economically and being more hands-on. That usually means an extra change in your pocket! Here are some of the tips I have put together to help us in this journey of living eco-friendly.
BE COOKING WISE 1. Use cloth napkins Not only are they more durable (one cloth napkin will make it through a lot more BBQ sauce than a paper one!), but ditching disposable napkins will also save plenty of money over the years. It will also reduce your trash output, which means less energy is
used to transport and process your waste. Using recyclable paper napkins is good for the planet, but it’s even better to not have anything to recycle in the first place. Plus, cloth napkins make dinner feel oh-so-fancy.
2. Cook from scratch We all know that cooking at home saves a hell of a lot of cash, but it also uses fewer resources than dining out or buying pre-made food. Although what you eat is usually more important than how it is cooked, eating food that has been processed in distant industrial kitchens, wrapped up in plastic and cardboard packaging, and trucked to your local supermarket eats up a lot of energy. Besides, no meal gets appreciated as much as you have made yourself, so get cooking!
3. Use a pressure cooker This is a terrific way to save time, money, and energy all at the same time. Pressure cookers can take up to 70 percent less time (and less energy) to cook a meal, and they are more versatile than one might think: They can make chilli, pot roast, soup, whole chickens, cornbread—and even desserts!
4. Cook with residual heat Turning off the oven five minutes before the meal is ready will allow the food to continue cooking and save
some energy. It is even easier with pasta: Once the pot’s been boiling for five minutes, cover the pot, switch off the stove, and let it sit for five more minutes. This will free up the stovetop, and the pasta will be cooked perfectly in less than 10 minutes.
5. Eat less meat Meat is not cheap, and it’s not great for the environment, either. 70% of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed to raise cows. Meat production results in more carbon emissions than any other protein. I am not telling you to go completely vegan (unless that is your bag), but learning to cook a few choice vegetarian meals will save money, add variety to your palate, and give the planet a helping hand.
6. Grow your own food It is nowhere near as complicated or time-consuming as it sounds. It will eliminate the carbon footprint of all those refrigerated trucks and planes importing foods. Cherry tomatoes, salad greens, kales, spinach and green beans are the best foods to grow if saving money is the goal. For those of us who do not have a garden, simply growing herbs on a windowsill or balcony can save hundreds in the long run.
7. Start a compost pile A compost heap will save money on fertilizers and maintain soil health. In
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addition, it will keep all those food scraps from rotting in a dump and belching methane (a greenhouse gas) into the atmosphere. For example, a corn cob that decomposes in a landfill takes 18 years but only a couple of months in a compost pile. Compost can also grow new food, making it the ultimate recycler—now that is ecofriendly!
ones. They are also faster, requiring none of the “preheating” nonsense of those clunky, power-mad ovens. In fact, using smaller versions of traditional appliances is practically always cheaper, faster, and more environmentally friendly: This toaster beats a toaster oven (for toasting, at least) and using an electric kettle beats boiling water on a stove top.
8. Ditch disposable bowls…
11. Microwave when possible
Plates, knives, and forks. While the temptation of having nothing to wash up after a meal is hard to resist, increasing the pile of garbage left after dinner is no way to help the planet.
They use even less energy than toaster ovens (and way less than conventional ovens), plus you might be surprised by the range of meals (and desserts!) that can be made in a microwave.
9. End food waste Nearly 30 percent of harvested crops go to waste in sub-Saharan Africa—that means 40 percent of all the greenhouse gases released by agriculture, food transport, and food decomposing in landfills simply does not have to exist. A lot of the waste occurs in supermarkets and restaurants, but you can help and save money by only buying what you need (think two carrots instead of a bag), saving or freezing leftovers, and repurposing scraps.
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BE WATER-WISE
10. Become friends with your toaster oven
12. Opt for reusable water bottles
Toaster ovens are a lot cheaper and less wasteful than conventional
Here’s a secret a lot of people do not seem to know: Tap water is drinkable.
Source: shutterstock
Keeping a nice, BPA-free water bottle in your bag is an insanely simple way to save the cost of a three-dollar bottle of water—the exact price of 700 gallons of water out of the tap at home.
13. Install a low flow showerhead Going with the (low) flow is an easy way to use 25 to 60 percent less water in the shower, which means significant savings on the water bill. Most showerheads are adjustable, so it’s easy to use the low flow setting when lathering up and a high flow setting when it’s time to rinse. Most of them cost about five dollars—talk about a no brainer!
14. Turn off the tap It is an all-too-common habit to leave the tap running while washing your face, brushing your teeth, doing the dishes, and so on. Sure, the faucet might get a little soapy if you turn it off while lathering your hands, but think of it like turning off a light when it is not being used—it is simple, brings no inconvenience, and saves a lot of resources in the long run.
15. Repair that leaky faucet
are often unaware of leaks, so make a note to check all fixtures (including pipes under sinks) regularly.
16. Cover your pool when it is not in use Not only will it keep the water from evaporating and prevent the need for refills, but the pool will stay cleaner, require fewer chemicals, and reduce the need to run pumps and filters—all of which can save water and energy.
17. Take shorter showers We all love the feeling of a nice, hot shower, but five minutes is really all we need. Saving even one minute off of the daily shower will save nearly a thousand gallons of water every year, which translates into significant savings on the water bill—and it is better for the planet.
18. Wash the produce and save the water There is no reason we cannot wash fruits and vegetables in a large bowl and save the runoff for watering the garden or lawn (or those tiny potted plants). The same thing can be done after boiling pasta or potatoes—just make sure the water’s not salted.
Drip, drip, drip… it is not just agonizing to listen to. A leaky tap can waste 140 gallons of water a week—that is a pretty big dent in the utility bill. People
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BE ENERGY WISE
as hot as it can get, so why not turn down the hot water heater? The standard setting is around 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but adjusting it to 120 degrees could save up to 10 percent water heating costs. Try it out!
21. Get insulated
Source: shutterstock
19. Change that light bulb
How many environmentalists does it take to change a light bulb? We are not sure either, but we know they would be replacing it with a CFL or “compact fluorescent light.” Like most eco-friendly gadgets, they are more expensive upfront (about five dollars a bulb), but they use a quarter of the energy and last 10 times longer—so the steeper cost will more than pay for itself. With lighting comprising 13 percent of the standard energy bill, it’s worth the change.
20. Turn down the water heater When was the last time you used the “hot” tap without turning on the “cold” one? Whether showering or washing up, we rarely need tap water
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Insulation is sexy stuff. Uninsulated homes do not just lose heat and cool air; they are also wasting energy and money—two things we should keep an eye on! Upfront, the cost can seem hefty, but like most things, the benefits come over time. It might even take a few years to make back the installation cost, but the reduced energy expenditure means your carbon footprint (and energy bill) will start reducing immediately. Pay special attention to insulating the attic and basement (but do not worry about the garage).
22. Carpool It saves gas and means fewer cars on the road—which means fewer carbon emissions. Plus, it will keep you punctual and save the passengers from all the road rage that comes with fighting rush-hour traffic.
23. Think about solar People are so serious about solar energy these days. If your roof gets enough sun, try installing a solar panel. This will save at least 10 percent off the electricity bill.
24. Watch those windows
over time. You are patient, right?
When running heat or air conditioning, keep all windows and doors closed as tight as possible so air does not escape the room. It is easy to forget that a window might open a crack, but when air is seeping out of a room, the heater or air conditioner is working harder than it needs to, which means unnecessary cash (and energy) is being spent.
27. Fix stuff when it breaks
25. Unplug stuff Many appliances, (un)affectionately called “vampire appliances,” use up electricity even when they are switched off. Set-top boxes(like TVs) are the worst culprits, but DVD players, modems, and computers also act like little Draculas, sucking up power even when they are meant to be “dead”. Taking a wooden stake to your appliances is one solution, but the cheapest might be to invest in a power strip and turn it off every time appliances are not in use—or just go the manual route and pull the plug.
26. Buy energy-efficient appliances Look for Energy Star Appliances, which cost a bit more money to buy initially but are more durable, more environmentally friendly, and will save cash on utility bills. An Energy Star clothes washer, for instance, uses 50 percent less energy and 50 percent less water than standard washers, which means significant savings…
If the washing machine burns out, do not throw it out with the bathwater (or laundry water). Getting help is now a simple matter of online crowdsourcing, and it is a great way to reduce waste and add years to an appliance’s lifetime. But, of course, you would not kill a device that did not have to die, would you?
28. Line dry If you have a clothes dryer, there is a good chance it uses more energy than anything else in your home. So grab a clothes rack, set up a clothesline outside, or just hang wet laundry on clothes hangers around the house. Hang them high, and they will be dry in a day or two—without spiking the electricity bill.
29. Turn off the lights There is a reason light switches are located by the door! Make a habit of turning them off when leaving a room, especially whenever you leave the house—you will save energy (and save on the energy bill) in the process.
30. Know your dishwasher Switching on a half-full dishwasher wastes water, energy, and money like nobody’s business. Always fill it to the brim, and learn to use the “delay” feature. A dishwasher that does not
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run until after midnight will rack up some of those sweet off-peak energy hours, saving some cash and helping the planet by reducing peak-hour electricity demands.
31. Know your washing machine Front-loader washing machines use less water and energy than their toploading brethren, which is something to consider if you are in the market for a new one. Choose an Energy Star washing machine with a low (six or lower) “water factor,” which is the number of gallons per cycle per cubic foot that the washer uses. It is also best to wash with cold water as often as possible—about 90 percent of the energy used by a top-loader is for heating the water—and never run half a load!
BE “STUFF” WISE 32. Host a yard sale Whoa! While buying second-hand is a great way to save money, selling your old stuff will actually make money. Yard sales epitomize “reduce, reuse, and recycle” — meaning there is no energy wasted on producing new stuff—and they can only result in more space at home and more money in your wallet. Include your
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neighbours—a bigger garage sale will attract more customers. This is not your cup of tea?
33. Buy pre-loved everything Thrift shops, Think Twice, and openair markets—there is simply no end to the places one can find second-hand stuff. Since reducing our consumerism might be the number one way to improve our eco-footprint, and since second-hand things are cheap, there is every reason in the world to buy what has been used. I will forgive you for buying new underwear, though!
34. Make bank on recycling If there is a bottle return centre near you, saving your bottles and cans for a monthly trip might not be a bad idea. Meanwhile, Mr Green Africa, Taka Taka solutions, just to mention a few, straight up pays people to recycle. Okay, it is not “straight up” so much as it is “via coupons,” but it is a great way to earn and save the planet. So check them out to see if they are active in your town and if there are other ways to “do well by doing good.”
35. Take the junk out of your trunk A lighter car uses less fuel and saves more money, so remove the roof rack and empty out that trunk! (But maybe keep the spare tire.)
36. Reduce your book-print
38. Borrow, do not buy
It is way cheaper and a lot less treemurder-y to buy e-books or secondhand ones. If you do not have a Kindle and the used bookstore lacks in your choice titles, pay a visit to your friendly neighbourhood library—remember those?
Before any big purchase, think: How often will I really use this ladder/leaf blower/wheelbarrow? If the answer is “not a lot,” it is so easy to borrow stuff (especially if you like making “thank you” cookies). Also, if your social network lacks the products you require, plenty of websites help people rent or just take whatever they might need. This is some next-level human generosity, and it is a beautiful thing to behold.
37. Make your own cleaning supplies Household cleaning supplies are jam-packed with the most potent bacteria killers in existence, expertly engineered to completely annihilate just about every organism they come into contact with. Unsurprisingly, these man made poisons are not great for the environment, and many have toxic effects on animal and plant life once they enter our waterways via sewer systems. Check out some DIYs on green cleaning products that are super easy to make—the secret is lemon juice, vinegar, and baking soda. Cheap and easy!
39. Opt for DIY beauty products Beauty products are often expensive as all hell, and they can have some seriously sketchy environmental consequences. Many contain mercury and other toxins that can wind up polluting waterways, and let us not forget the carbon footprint of an imported product. Take a look at some DIYs on skin and hair products for some surprisingly cheap, healthy, and incredibly effective beauty enhancers—guys are invited, too.
Amanda is an environmental and development specialist with a passion in environmental management and sustainability.
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Martin Kinyua founder of Martin Chilies explaining to Dr. Edward Mungai how he sells his dried chilies and the challenges he faces
KCIC CEO Dr. Edward Mungai being shown how White Gold Camel Milk quality is tested upon arrival from farmers.
One of the women at Anolai women dairy camel marketing cooperative sieving camel milk after arrival
Nainchu honey farmers preparing apiaries for honey collection
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Farmers at Stephen Farm arranging the fruit nurseries for dispatch.
Above and Beyond Founder Jane Rose showing KCIC CEO how the bananas are dried.
Co - Founder at Anol Agrovet in Isiolo showing Dr. Edward Mungai some of the products he sells to farmers.
Baraka Munene founder of Top Harvest Farm and Dr. Edward Mungai feeding some of the cows at the farm.
Amina Hassan chairlady and Secretary Ali Noor Mohammed of Tawakal Farmers Marketing Cooperative getting fresh camel milk from storage to serve clients.
Gritty pigs founder Benson Mwirigi feeding his pigs.
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Embracing climate changeagriculture and energy sustainability By Arnold Muthanga
Source: shutterstock
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Unusual climate patterns have
will be able to predict and prepare
rendered Africa comparatively
in advance for climate sequence
more susceptible to the woes of
anomalies. By natural courses, Africa
climate change than the developed
is unique in respect to topography,
economies. Recent and common
legal frameworks, and social settings.
phenomena like cyclic and persistent
Therefore, Africa has accurate action
droughts and torrential floods have
areas with the most ripple effects
exacerbated Africa’s food insecurity
concerning taming climate change.
and put earlier rich and distinct biodiversity on the path to extinction. In addition to increased existential threats and realities of disease outbreaks, Africa faces a glaring water crisis with thousands of livelihoods confined within the shackles of poverty. Consequently, while Africa is the world’s least contributor to greenhouse gas
Agriculture is Africa’s lifeline. It serves more than 60 percent of its population and represents 25-34 percent of its gross domestic production (GDP). The sector presents a clear runway to spur economic growth through job
emissions (2%), it is the most adversely
creation and food security equitably.
impacted and ill-equipped-
First, however, Africa has to be
economically- to remedy the situation. conscious of the stark impediments This warranting an in-depth probe. that bog down agriculture. These As pre-emptive retorts, Africa first needs to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gases reckoned to trap excessive heat in the atmosphere. In the second place is the African populace adjusting to a changing climate through adaptation strategies. Africa will acquire a form of climate immunity if mitigation and adaptation approaches to climate change are adopted. Moreover, the continent
include decreasing annual rainfall that leads to a decline in cereal yield and animal feeds with sprawling aridness that is contracting arable land, significantly denting agricultural productivity. Aggravating the already worse situation is increased pest severity such as armyworm invasion and increased disease incidences. Prospects of recuperating agriculture lie with sustainable agriculture by embracing climate-smart agriculture
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(CSA) practices. CSA addresses
current generation, however, does
food insecurity through sound
not meet the demand, leading to
management of the ecosystem
“energy poverty”. Succinctly, of the
as a novel concept by factoring
world’s electricity access deficit, 57%
in sustainability’s economic,
is reported in Sub-Saharan Africa. As
environmental, and social dimensions.
a result, 81% of Africa’s population
Through CSA, agricultural productivity from fisheries, livestock, and crops should not result in degradation of the ecosystem; farmers should embrace adaptation practices to endure long-
energy- majorly wood and charcoalthat have been faulted for fueling soil degradation, air pollution, and deforestation.
term stresses and mitigate emissions
The continent is at the crossroads.
by minimizing or completely obviating
Either bridge the energy gap
pollution.
through business as usual or expand
Essential agricultural adaptation and mitigation measures in Africa are centred around new farming technologies and practices, soil fertility, farm diversification, integrated
the national grid. While the former contradicts the continental spirit of climate action, the latter is an uneconomic strategy to pursue. Thus, one grapples with possible ways out.
pest, and disease control. Distinct
Fortunately, other than Africa
approaches include the application
being the cradle of humankind, it is
of biofertilizers, the creation of
enormously endowed with renewable
agriculture insurance policies, the
sources of energy; hydro, geothermal,
introduction of multi-hazard early
solar, biomass, and wind. Moreover,
warning systems, and the adoption
Africa’s geographical position within
of integrated water resources
the tropics- accords it a natural favour
management. Additionally, big data
of sun radiation. Complementing
is an innovation frontier within the
the existing energy generation with
agricultural sector.
renewable energy sources offers a
Looking at energy, Africa’s strong economic growth has surged the demand for energy consumption. The
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depends on conventional sources of
noble opportunity to resolve Africa’s energy deficit by substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
It is also viable for the African
The discussion around climate
transport sector to embrace
adaptation and mitigation in
renewable sources of energy that
Africa is picking up the pace, with
can significantly cut down GHGs
significant focus areas being those
emissions. Moreover, innovations
that anchor the economy. However,
around energy-efficient practices
agriculture and energy adaptation
such as smart lighting lead to energy
and mitigation measures alone will
savings that reduce GHG emissions,
contribute significantly to climate
which benefits the environment.
action but not to the full realization of
Energy efficiency has spillover benefits
the sustainability agenda. With that
of reduced costs of energy bills and
in mind, Africa needs to view climate
increased energy access levels that
response as a process and not an
cumulatively increase an economy’s
event.
competitiveness.
Source: shutterstock
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3Rs: The commitment to have a friendly environment By: Mwalya Wambua
It is the desire of every person to live an enjoyable life. Some live up to the dream, while others it remains a mere dream. The environment we are exposed to has a significant influence on the life we can all live, whether positively or negatively. Given this, a sustainable life must encompass mutual coexistence with nature to receive the best from the same ecosystem. Otherwise, the ecosystem changes to the negative, perhaps unsustainable life to the present generation and posterity. As demonstrated in this article, several basics of a sustainable lifestyle are available to the human race for a better life.
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Over the years, 3Rs of reusing, recycling, and reducing have dominated the world of an ecofriendly environment. Where the materials used in and around the common living areas release waste or byproducts that are of value to the extent of being used again. The environment is saved from waste pollution, thus making the earth a habitable place for the human race. The 3Rs have completed the age before rapid industrialization. An age that was more livable than the era dominated by poisonous wastes from the industries requiring sophisticated means to alleviate. It is, therefore, a wiser decision to use materials that result in less waste through packaging. Materials that are prone to frequent depreciation and disposal subsequently are to be avoided to avoid adding high amounts of trash to the environment.
The use of renewable energy also saves the earth from being exposed to contaminated fuels’ pollutants. Where possible, avoid personal cars and jets, and embrace public means of transport. Growing one’s food will reduce the rate at which the imported products are ferried, decreasing waste gases released into the environment. In the same way, the grocery store can be less exposed to the accumulation of massive food waste as the gardens act as an alternative store. This also maintains fresh produce and adds environmental preservation value that ensures the safety of the products taken from a protected environment. Personal education is a way of realizing one’s freedom from unsafe living. For instance, confirming and
adjusting the thermostat before lighting the bulb may save more than seen. The little things learned in our daily living count in upholding and maintaining sustainability in everyday lives. Simple research from the available books, online platforms, and other available avenues can guarantee improved sustainability and thereby longer life of humankind under the sun as information is not enough unless it is applied to ensure transformation. To have a healthy environment, one must commit to activities such as planting trees, proper waste disposal and utter devotion to maintaining eco-friendly life accessories. All this is for humankind to attain a sustained life course.
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Providing sustainable homes in Africa By Michelle Mung’ata
Africa’s population is exponentially growing. Statistics show that by 2050 Africa’s population will be at 2.4 billion which is double the current population. The continent’s economic growth has not kept pace with the unbridled population growth. Millennials are not in a position to purchase property due to the harsh economic times and unemployment, as compared to older generations that were able to own homes before their 30’s. What’s more, the inadequate housing and associated infrastructure needs such as roads and clean water, are at a breaking point.
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Source: shutterstock
Government commitment is therefore predominant to avoid the housing challenge from tipping off cliff. Commitment by the Kenyan government to provide sustainable housing under Kenya’s Big Four Agenda is one such government commitment. President Uhuru Kenyatta has set targets to offer affordable options by providing 500,000 individuals with housing over the next five years through a home ownership program. In South Africa the government has built over 3 million housing units despite there being a need for 2 million more houses.
Implementing innovative housing solutions is the key to addressing Africa’s housing crisis. Sustainable homes are designed to reduce the overall environmental impact during and after construction. This is accomplished by efficiently using land energy, water and other resources. There are two housing efforts with very different approaches to affordable housing that I feel can succeed in addressing the housing crisis in Africa. The straw-bale construction and the next generation mobile homes. One offers a very unconventional and indigenous method of building that employs the use of earth materials as a building alternative. The other improves an already established and common housing system, by redesigning the system to be more sustainable and more financially beneficial for the occupants. Straw-bale construction is based on indigenous building methods. Straw-bale projects have been erected and successfully accepted by communities on a small scale in countries such as Rwanda, where an organization called Strawtec which offers affordable, fast, sustainable and prefabricated low-cost housing units. The mobile home is an already well-established housing option for the urban poor in many countries.
Instead of trying to introduce a whole new system of low-cost housing, re- designing a familiar and trusted system is recommended. These new green mobile homes still replicate some of the physical characteristics of the conventional mobile home model (moveable, single-wide parameter). They would greatly reduce the illegal informal structures in our sprawling city slums and still offer cleaner, more hygienic environments to live in. Both systems present a new way of thinking and constructing housing options for low-income families in Africa. These systems also present the potential for alleviating housing problems internationally. Affordable Housing is risky, but great opportunities exist for innovative construction models. Despite the lack of architects willing to take a risk and delve into sustainable housing designs, we still have a few individuals contributing to the sector. Another proactive measure in the architecture industry is involving young aspiring students in universities. Architecture students should get involved in the development of the housing projects. Students can provide the creativity, knowledge, planning, labor and enthusiasm and receive credit and experience for their work, while communities and families receive customized, quality homes.
Michelle Mung’ata is a Communication Officer at KCIC Consulting. michelle.mung’ata@kcicconsulting.com
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The circularity in sustainability By Grace Mwangi
Source: shutterstock
The attention towards the concept of the green and circular economy has extensively grown across the globe. The transition towards a green and circular economy has become both a need and a priority. This has resulted in greater innovation in organizational strategies, and business models. Consequently, the twentyfirst century consumer has become more sensitive to the impact of their buying decisions. Consumers are willing to pay an extra shilling for environmentally sustainable products.
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The big question however, is what do we mean by a green and circular economy? According toMaj Munch Andersen, a professor at the University of Copenhagen, the green economy is one where key drivers are the environmental parameters. Simply put, an economy which integrates environmental parameters into the economic processes in a bid to take care of the earth, its limited resources, and the people living on it.
‘The economy is green when environmental issues have become an important driver of economic development.’ Maj Munch Andersen.
The European Union has greatly contributed to the evolution of the Green and Circular economy with the aim of achieving sustainable living for all as well as protecting the universe and its resources. According to the European Investment Bank (EIB), circularity simply refers to the circular flow and efficient use and reuse of resources, materials, and products. EIB defines a circular economy as an economic model that represents sustainable green growth, moving from a consumption and disposalbased linear model to a system that extends the life of products and materials through recycling, and one that minimizes waste. To achieve sustainable living, all players including the private sector, policy makers, non-governmental organizations, religious leaders, manufacturers, retailers, the public sector, and the common mwananchi (citizens) must join efforts. These
efforts all need to promote the green and circular economy agenda. For manufacturers for instance, it will mean paying close attention to ecoinnovation and eco-design. This will result in designing and producing new assets and products that reduce consumption of virgin materials and use raw materials that are eco-friendly and easily recyclable. Subsequently reducing the generation of waste. It will also mean companies, both micro and macro, coming up with innovative strategies and business models that fully optimize the capacity of their products and assets thus extending their useful life. The consumer equally plays a big role in the chain as it means developing a culture of sustainable utilization of the available resources as well as taking proper care of the ‘waste’. The bigger picture is to gradually move towards achieving a closed loop through recycling of end-oflife products and materials. Whether through upcycling or down cycling. The goal is to prevent waste from going to the landfills, endangering our water bodies, our flora and fauna and thus enhancing a sustainable living.
Grace is a sustainability and circular economy expert working towards achieving a sustainable economy.
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A publication of Kenya Climate Innovation Center. Strathmore Business School Building, 3rd Floor, Ole Sangale Road, Madaraka, PO Box 49162 – 00200, Nairobi, Kenya. (+254) 703 034 701 www.kenyacic.org | communication@kenyacic.org