The government of Kitui supported sustainable land
management project funded by UNDP to organize a world environment day in Kyuso
sub-county and have its governor Dr. Julius Malombe officiate it.
While addressing the gathering Malombe said that the most
affected by effect of climate change is livestock due to lack of pasture caused
by unreliable rainfall. He urged the residents to harvest water for domestic
consumption using roof catchment and also conserve water in their farms by
planting trees and digging terraces amongst other structures.
He also urged stakeholders to promote use of traditional
value crops such as sorghum, millet, cassava amongst others and urged the
community too to embrace the use of these foods.
“The county government has a plan of constructing 60
subsurface dams in each ward” said Malombe. A subsurface dam is an impervious barrier
constructed beneath the surface or a river or stream to retain water upstream
by raising the water. The water will be used for irrigating small farms and
hence increased income because these dams will be near to everyone.
World environment day (‘WED’) is celebrated every year on
June 5 to raise global awareness to take positive environmental action to
protect nature and planet earth. It was established by United Nation General
Assembly in 1972 on the day that United Conference on the Human Environment
began.
WED is celebrated every with different themes. Over the
years WED has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach on
environmental issues that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100
countries. WED is one of the United Nation primary vehicle through which it
stimulates environmental awareness, enhances political attention and action
worldwide.
Today environmental concerns are major issues all over the
world. These issues relates to the natural element that makes up the earth and
surrounds living organism, enabling life. The environment is not a single
factor but a lot of things which interact and interfere with human activities.
Human environment concerns are related to proper hygienic conditions.
Importance of clean and healthy environment should be emphasized to each and
every individual on the planet. When it comes to maintaining a clean and
healthy environment it's everybody’s responsibility.
Climate change has
been recognized as the most serious and threatening global environmental
problem. While natural variations in climate over time is normal, human are
contributing to climate change through emission of substantial amount of
greenhouse gases. Some green gases exist naturally in the atmosphere and are
necessary to keep earth at global temperature suitable for ecosystem and life
as they have evolved. However greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere
from human activities are building up and trapping extra heat in the atmosphere.
This year’s county theme was “RAISING OUR VOICE FOR
RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE.” Mwingi North sub-county` had an opportunity to
show case the initiatives and best practices that the community and other
stakeholders are undertaking and to act as an example for sub-counties to
embrace
How will you make
your voice heard this year for environment?
The call this year is to recognize that we all face the same
challenges and are connected and united by our common goal of a sustainable and
prosperous life. The call is to raise our voices in solidarity with one
another, particularly with citizens of Kenya in general and Kitui County in
particular. Whether it is to organize clean ups campaign, Food water reduction
initiatives , plastic ban, art exhibit, tree planting drives, concerts, dances
recitals, recycling drives and social media campaign because every action
counts.
