We, the Delegates to the Africa Regional Preparatory Meeting on Rio+20 on behalf of Children and Youth in the continent acknowledge that Rio+20 is of much importance to us being the generation that will be most affected by the decisions to be reached at the conference. We are united in calling upon African and World leaders to move towards sustainable development that safeguards the planet earth and its people since this is an opportunity we cannot afford to fail in meeting the needs of the present and future generations.
The initiatives pursued in order to support youth as one of the key role players in the advancement towards sustainable development, should acknowledge the vulnerability of children and young people who are in this critical lifestage. On the one hand, while children and youth have the vibrancy, enthusiasm and untapped potentials to emerge as leaders in their homes, communities, society and countries, they are most often impaired by the lack of personal guidance, support and opportunities to access their inherent potentials. This no doubt has indirect and direct implications on the physical, social and economic wellbeing of youths across our continent.
We recognize the central role that good governance and transformative leadership play in the effort to achieve sustainable development. We encourage a form of governance and leadership that is participatory, accountable, transparent and implementable at the regional, national and local levels.
We are committed to promote innovations that will develop a green economy that results in the eradication of poverty and ultimately sustainable development. We urge our Governments and partners in development to respond and not ignore the demands of the children and youth. It is a clear demonstration, that given the time, resources, and the opportunity, young people have the ability to take forward the sustainable development agenda that has been elusive since the Rio Summit in 1992.
We therefore, call for:
1. The integration of green economy and sustainable development education into schools curricula to improve capacity, knowledge, personal developmental skills of young people at all levels;
2. the implementation of humane and sustainable agricultural practices including livestock production systems to reduce hunger, starvation and enhance food security, and promote green energy technologies to enhance affordable agricultural production;
3. affirmative action that supports policies for creation of employment opportunities for young people and encourages innovations in the context of a green economy;
4. more political commitment by governments to be based on the principles of good governance and transformative leadership. We encourage the participation of children and youth in all policy and decision-making processes at all levels, as well as encourage access to the Green Fund.
In conclusion, we agree with the United Nations Secretary General that ‘failing to invest in youth is a false economy’. This is because ‘For us, it is Development First, Green Economy Now!’We urge you to support Green Economy and Sustainable Development to protect our present and prepare the future for the next generation.’
Thank you,
Signed by
Children and Youth Major Group representatives at the Africa Regional
preparatory Conference on Rio+20:
Monday, October 24, 2011
(AYICC Kenya) [Kenyan Climate Youth] Statement by the Major Group for Children and Youth delivered at the Seventh Session Of The Committee Of Food Security And Sustainable Development (CFSSD-7) And The Africa Regional Preparatory Meeting For The United Nations Conference On Sustainable Development (RIO+ 20), October 22, 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Monday, September 26, 2011
WHAT AN INSPIRATION WERE YOU!!!!!!!!
I slept and dreamt,
Of the greenest Earth,
I awoke and felt,
The prevailing dearth
I dreamt of trees,
Then woke up to plant them
Stung by political bees,
But soldiered on; devoid of shame
Now that I'm gone,
Of more trees do plant,
Here; the torch that my path shone,
The song of eco-warriors forever chant!
~ In Memory of Prof. Wangari Maathai
Of the greenest Earth,
I awoke and felt,
The prevailing dearth
I dreamt of trees,
Then woke up to plant them
Stung by political bees,
But soldiered on; devoid of shame
Now that I'm gone,
Of more trees do plant,
Here; the torch that my path shone,
The song of eco-warriors forever chant!
~ In Memory of Prof. Wangari Maathai
Friday, September 16, 2011
African Ministirial Conference on Environment Release.
Mali: Bamako 15 September 2011 – For Immediate Release
African Youth welcome the hosting of the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) in Bamako, Mali from the 12 to 16 September 2011. This 14th session which aims at consolidating the African common position within the climate negotiations at COP 17 as well as the Rio + 20 gives impetus to the African youth to get their permanent observer status at AMCEN.
The African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC) is a Pan-African movement of young people and organizations which aims at addressing issues of climate change, environment and sustainable development. AYICC was formed in Nairobi in 2006 during the UNFCCC COP 12 as a platform for youth advocacy on climate change issues. Its goal is to bring together the synergies of youth to participate in various forums and debates in order to find solutions to climate change issues.
In fulfilling this, AYICC is represented at AMCEN by youth organizations and NGOs from Africa led by JVE International, an environmental organization present in over 19 countries in Africa which is fighting for climate justice through advocacy and the education of young people on climate change in Africa.
Like its peers in the African civil society, AYICC would like to remind Ministers that climate justice and sustainable development should be the basic fundamental strategy for Africa. This requires:
Recognition of the right of people to development, the maintenance of the earth’s bio capacity , and inter and intra-generational equity;
Urgent focus on adaptation to climate change especially for the most vulnerable communities to easily access adequate funding;
The implementation of an innovative financing mechanism that takes into account historical responsibility, direct access (without intermediaries), and the rejection of all forms of debt;
A call to limit the average increase in temperature to below 1.5 ° C; and
Integrating environmental sustainability into national development plans.
All these demands are contained in the ‘Have Faith-Act Now’ petition campaign in which AYICC is involved and in which we are seeking to collect one (1) million signatures to take to COP 17.This campaign also includes a youth caravan from Nairobi to Durban.
Further to this, AYICC wishes to reaffirm its commitment to contribute to the construction of a new development paradigm. In this regard, Rio +20 is an opportunity for us to:
Act on the transition to a low carbon development and build resilience to the impacts of climate change
Lay the foundations for a genuine global governance mechanism for sustainable development
Place Youth, Chidren and Indigenous peoples in particular and civil society in general, at the heart of environmental governance and development.
Guide the green economy to address the fight against poverty while taking care not to exacerbate social inequalities, let alone the destruction of biodiversity or the collapse of the poor states in favor of the private sector.
The urgent and important message that the ministers should take to heart is that: 'Climate change threatens the balance of life on Earth with Sea level rises and increased acidity , the melting of ice caps and glaciers, deterioration of forests and coral reefs and other ecosystem changes. With these, the existence of some communities is threatened while others face increasing difficulties in their development . According to Sylvia Wachira the AYICC Coordinator. ‘While the lives of young people and children are just blooming, it is undeniable that we are on the brink of a climatic catastrophe which will cause disturbances with unpredictable weather patterns, the collapse of food systems, mass migration and unprecedented human conflict .’
With this in mind, we AYICC affirms that it is committed to supporting the position of Africa to reach a fair and equitable agreement at COP 17 in Durban.
We represent the future which you speak of : RESPECT IT!
African Youth welcome the hosting of the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) in Bamako, Mali from the 12 to 16 September 2011. This 14th session which aims at consolidating the African common position within the climate negotiations at COP 17 as well as the Rio + 20 gives impetus to the African youth to get their permanent observer status at AMCEN.
The African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC) is a Pan-African movement of young people and organizations which aims at addressing issues of climate change, environment and sustainable development. AYICC was formed in Nairobi in 2006 during the UNFCCC COP 12 as a platform for youth advocacy on climate change issues. Its goal is to bring together the synergies of youth to participate in various forums and debates in order to find solutions to climate change issues.
In fulfilling this, AYICC is represented at AMCEN by youth organizations and NGOs from Africa led by JVE International, an environmental organization present in over 19 countries in Africa which is fighting for climate justice through advocacy and the education of young people on climate change in Africa.
Like its peers in the African civil society, AYICC would like to remind Ministers that climate justice and sustainable development should be the basic fundamental strategy for Africa. This requires:
Recognition of the right of people to development, the maintenance of the earth’s bio capacity , and inter and intra-generational equity;
Urgent focus on adaptation to climate change especially for the most vulnerable communities to easily access adequate funding;
The implementation of an innovative financing mechanism that takes into account historical responsibility, direct access (without intermediaries), and the rejection of all forms of debt;
A call to limit the average increase in temperature to below 1.5 ° C; and
Integrating environmental sustainability into national development plans.
All these demands are contained in the ‘Have Faith-Act Now’ petition campaign in which AYICC is involved and in which we are seeking to collect one (1) million signatures to take to COP 17.This campaign also includes a youth caravan from Nairobi to Durban.
Further to this, AYICC wishes to reaffirm its commitment to contribute to the construction of a new development paradigm. In this regard, Rio +20 is an opportunity for us to:
Act on the transition to a low carbon development and build resilience to the impacts of climate change
Lay the foundations for a genuine global governance mechanism for sustainable development
Place Youth, Chidren and Indigenous peoples in particular and civil society in general, at the heart of environmental governance and development.
Guide the green economy to address the fight against poverty while taking care not to exacerbate social inequalities, let alone the destruction of biodiversity or the collapse of the poor states in favor of the private sector.
The urgent and important message that the ministers should take to heart is that: 'Climate change threatens the balance of life on Earth with Sea level rises and increased acidity , the melting of ice caps and glaciers, deterioration of forests and coral reefs and other ecosystem changes. With these, the existence of some communities is threatened while others face increasing difficulties in their development . According to Sylvia Wachira the AYICC Coordinator. ‘While the lives of young people and children are just blooming, it is undeniable that we are on the brink of a climatic catastrophe which will cause disturbances with unpredictable weather patterns, the collapse of food systems, mass migration and unprecedented human conflict .’
With this in mind, we AYICC affirms that it is committed to supporting the position of Africa to reach a fair and equitable agreement at COP 17 in Durban.
We represent the future which you speak of : RESPECT IT!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
TIME FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE!
CLIMATE JUSTICE FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE IN AFRICA
A message from African faith leaders to the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), from 29 November – 9 December 2011 in Durban, South Africa.
You must treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It is loaned to you by your children. – Kikuyu proverb
1. Introduction
Africa is a continent of the faithful. We gathered as African faith leaders at UNEP in Nairobi, Kenya on 7th and 8th June 2011, to discuss climate change and how it will be addressed at COP17.
Scientific reports indicate that climate change may well be the greatest threat that humanity has ever faced, with, on current targets, probable increased global warming of 2.5⁰C to 4⁰C by 2100 – widely agreed to be disastrous. Yet progress in international negotiations has not matched the scale of the crisis. There appears to be a deadlock between competing political and economic interests from various power blocs. We believe that to break this deadlock, new perspectives are required.
Firstly, economic and political processes have to be based on ecological principles, and not vice versa. There can be no infinite economic or population growth on a finite planet.
Secondly, there is a profound need for a renewed moral vision for the future of humanity and indeed of all life. We debase human beings by seeing them only as economic instruments, and debase the sanctity of life by commodifying it.
We must realise that well-being cannot be equated with material wealth. The quality of life is not dependent on the quantity of material things or growth measured by GDP. Instead, our standard of living depends on our standard of loving and sharing. We cannot sustain a world dominated by profit-seeking, rampant consumerism and gross inequalities, and an atmosphere of competition where the powerful take advantage of the weak without caring for the well-being of every form of life. Development cannot be sustained if the affluent project themselves as examples to be copied by everyone else, and if the poor model their lifestyles on such examples.
These insights draw from the rich moral and spiritual traditions on our continent and elsewhere in the world. Despite the historical violence and disorganisation that Africa has suffered and inflicted on itself, these insights have been transmitted to us by our ancestors who believed in the harmony of vital forces, between human beings and the rest of creation.
In our African spiritual heritage and our diverse faith traditions, trees, flowers, water, soil and animals have always been essential companions of human beings, without which life and being are inconceivable. We express this in different ways through our understanding of the world as God’s own beloved creation, and our sense of place and vocation within it.
Our ways of thinking and feeling deeply influence the world around us. As we find compassion, peace and harmony within ourselves, we will begin to treat the Earth with respect, resist disorder and live in peace with each other, including embracing a binding climate treaty. We pray that compassion will guide these negotiations.
2. Our commitments as faith leaders
Our African people and nations have to overcome the temptation of seeing ourselves as victims, who have no role and responsibility to play in reversing the current situation – we are part of the solution.
As African faith leaders, our responsibilities will be to:
• Set a good example for our faith communities by examining our personal needs and reducing unsustainable consumption.
• Lead local communities to understand the threat of climate change and the need to build economies and societies based on a revitalised moral vision.
• Draw on our spiritual resources to foster crucial ecological virtues such as wisdom, justice, courage and temperance, and to confront vices such as greed in our own midst.
• Acknowledge that climate change has greatly affected already vulnerable people (such as women, children, the elderly, the poor and the disabled), that it worsens existing inequalities and that this places an obligation on faith groups to stand in solidarity with the victims of climate change disasters, showing care, compassion and love.
• Plant indigenous trees and promote ecological restoration.
3. Our message to all world leaders
As citizens, we are asked to put our trust in representatives at COP17 to decide upon our common future. We have no doubt that the Durban COP must decide on a treaty – and second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol – that is fair, ambitious and legally binding, to ensure the survival of coming generations.
We therefore call on you to:
• Commit to the principle of inter-generational equity, the rights of our children for generations to come, and to the rights of Mother Earth as outlined in the Cochabamba declaration.
• Refute the myth that action to cut emissions is too expensive, when it is far cheaper than the long-term costs of inaction.
• Acknowledge that investments in sustainability are a better guarantor of peace than military spending.
• Abandon Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as an indicator of prosperity in favour of indicators that include human wellbeing, equality and the external environmental costs of human economies.
• Set clear final targets for phasing out the use of all fossil fuels, and deep interim reductions in carbon emissions that support the target of no more than one degree of global warming.
• Ensure that there is sufficient climate finance for adaptation in Africa, additional to existing development aid and that it is governed inclusively and equitably under the United Nations.
• Channel sufficient and predictable climate finance and technology from the historic polluting nations, in recognition of their ecological debt, to enable Africa to leapfrog into an age of clean energy technology.
• Close the gap between wealthy countries’ pledges to cut warming emissions and what science and equity require.
• Assign for wealthy countries emission quotas that are consistent with the full measure of their historical responsibility.
4. Our message to Africa’s political leaders
We further urge African political leaders, as many of you are members of our faith communities, to take these particular measures:
• To regain a united voice and abandon expedient allegiances with blocs that are scrambling to appropriate Africa’s natural resources.
• Recognize in all policy statements that our long-term social and economic interests require the stability of our biophysical environment today.
• Prioritize measures and adopt policies to resolve environmental degradation in our nations.
• Acknowledge and pre-empt the violence at all levels that climate change and environmental degradation is already fueling on the continent.
• Adopt and enact land policies that ensure equity and justice for all.
• Resist the approval of transactions with exploitative corporations that would cause serious environmental damage.
• Promote indigenous tree planting and protection of existing forests, lakes and rivers.
• Build much greater capacity within long-standing teams of climate negotiators.
• Greatly improve communications within and between African governments, and consultation with civil society, including faith communities, on issues of climate change.
5. Conclusion
Every human generation is faced by particular challenges and opportunities. If we do not secure a stable climate for the sake of future generations, we will be held accountable by them and judged by history.
On this very critical issue of climate change, we must not fail. Every lost moment increases an irreversible threat to life on Earth.
8 June 2011:– This communique was compiled jointly by 130 faith leaders representing Muslim, Christian, Hindu, African traditional, Bahá'í and Buddhist communities from 30 countries across Africa.
For more information, please contact:
Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI):
Bishop Geoff Davies (Cape Town): +27 83 754 5275, geoff.davies@safcei.org.za, www.safcei.org.za
All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC):
Rev. Dr. Andre Karamaga (Nairobi): (254-20) 4441483, k.andre@aacc-ceta.org
www.aacc-ceta.org
Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA):
Rev Dr Johnson Mbillah (Nairobi): generaladviser@procmura.org
www.procmura.org
Courtesy of the African Faith leaders
A message from African faith leaders to the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), from 29 November – 9 December 2011 in Durban, South Africa.
You must treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It is loaned to you by your children. – Kikuyu proverb
1. Introduction
Africa is a continent of the faithful. We gathered as African faith leaders at UNEP in Nairobi, Kenya on 7th and 8th June 2011, to discuss climate change and how it will be addressed at COP17.
Scientific reports indicate that climate change may well be the greatest threat that humanity has ever faced, with, on current targets, probable increased global warming of 2.5⁰C to 4⁰C by 2100 – widely agreed to be disastrous. Yet progress in international negotiations has not matched the scale of the crisis. There appears to be a deadlock between competing political and economic interests from various power blocs. We believe that to break this deadlock, new perspectives are required.
Firstly, economic and political processes have to be based on ecological principles, and not vice versa. There can be no infinite economic or population growth on a finite planet.
Secondly, there is a profound need for a renewed moral vision for the future of humanity and indeed of all life. We debase human beings by seeing them only as economic instruments, and debase the sanctity of life by commodifying it.
We must realise that well-being cannot be equated with material wealth. The quality of life is not dependent on the quantity of material things or growth measured by GDP. Instead, our standard of living depends on our standard of loving and sharing. We cannot sustain a world dominated by profit-seeking, rampant consumerism and gross inequalities, and an atmosphere of competition where the powerful take advantage of the weak without caring for the well-being of every form of life. Development cannot be sustained if the affluent project themselves as examples to be copied by everyone else, and if the poor model their lifestyles on such examples.
These insights draw from the rich moral and spiritual traditions on our continent and elsewhere in the world. Despite the historical violence and disorganisation that Africa has suffered and inflicted on itself, these insights have been transmitted to us by our ancestors who believed in the harmony of vital forces, between human beings and the rest of creation.
In our African spiritual heritage and our diverse faith traditions, trees, flowers, water, soil and animals have always been essential companions of human beings, without which life and being are inconceivable. We express this in different ways through our understanding of the world as God’s own beloved creation, and our sense of place and vocation within it.
Our ways of thinking and feeling deeply influence the world around us. As we find compassion, peace and harmony within ourselves, we will begin to treat the Earth with respect, resist disorder and live in peace with each other, including embracing a binding climate treaty. We pray that compassion will guide these negotiations.
2. Our commitments as faith leaders
Our African people and nations have to overcome the temptation of seeing ourselves as victims, who have no role and responsibility to play in reversing the current situation – we are part of the solution.
As African faith leaders, our responsibilities will be to:
• Set a good example for our faith communities by examining our personal needs and reducing unsustainable consumption.
• Lead local communities to understand the threat of climate change and the need to build economies and societies based on a revitalised moral vision.
• Draw on our spiritual resources to foster crucial ecological virtues such as wisdom, justice, courage and temperance, and to confront vices such as greed in our own midst.
• Acknowledge that climate change has greatly affected already vulnerable people (such as women, children, the elderly, the poor and the disabled), that it worsens existing inequalities and that this places an obligation on faith groups to stand in solidarity with the victims of climate change disasters, showing care, compassion and love.
• Plant indigenous trees and promote ecological restoration.
3. Our message to all world leaders
As citizens, we are asked to put our trust in representatives at COP17 to decide upon our common future. We have no doubt that the Durban COP must decide on a treaty – and second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol – that is fair, ambitious and legally binding, to ensure the survival of coming generations.
We therefore call on you to:
• Commit to the principle of inter-generational equity, the rights of our children for generations to come, and to the rights of Mother Earth as outlined in the Cochabamba declaration.
• Refute the myth that action to cut emissions is too expensive, when it is far cheaper than the long-term costs of inaction.
• Acknowledge that investments in sustainability are a better guarantor of peace than military spending.
• Abandon Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as an indicator of prosperity in favour of indicators that include human wellbeing, equality and the external environmental costs of human economies.
• Set clear final targets for phasing out the use of all fossil fuels, and deep interim reductions in carbon emissions that support the target of no more than one degree of global warming.
• Ensure that there is sufficient climate finance for adaptation in Africa, additional to existing development aid and that it is governed inclusively and equitably under the United Nations.
• Channel sufficient and predictable climate finance and technology from the historic polluting nations, in recognition of their ecological debt, to enable Africa to leapfrog into an age of clean energy technology.
• Close the gap between wealthy countries’ pledges to cut warming emissions and what science and equity require.
• Assign for wealthy countries emission quotas that are consistent with the full measure of their historical responsibility.
4. Our message to Africa’s political leaders
We further urge African political leaders, as many of you are members of our faith communities, to take these particular measures:
• To regain a united voice and abandon expedient allegiances with blocs that are scrambling to appropriate Africa’s natural resources.
• Recognize in all policy statements that our long-term social and economic interests require the stability of our biophysical environment today.
• Prioritize measures and adopt policies to resolve environmental degradation in our nations.
• Acknowledge and pre-empt the violence at all levels that climate change and environmental degradation is already fueling on the continent.
• Adopt and enact land policies that ensure equity and justice for all.
• Resist the approval of transactions with exploitative corporations that would cause serious environmental damage.
• Promote indigenous tree planting and protection of existing forests, lakes and rivers.
• Build much greater capacity within long-standing teams of climate negotiators.
• Greatly improve communications within and between African governments, and consultation with civil society, including faith communities, on issues of climate change.
5. Conclusion
Every human generation is faced by particular challenges and opportunities. If we do not secure a stable climate for the sake of future generations, we will be held accountable by them and judged by history.
On this very critical issue of climate change, we must not fail. Every lost moment increases an irreversible threat to life on Earth.
8 June 2011:– This communique was compiled jointly by 130 faith leaders representing Muslim, Christian, Hindu, African traditional, Bahá'í and Buddhist communities from 30 countries across Africa.
For more information, please contact:
Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI):
Bishop Geoff Davies (Cape Town): +27 83 754 5275, geoff.davies@safcei.org.za, www.safcei.org.za
All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC):
Rev. Dr. Andre Karamaga (Nairobi): (254-20) 4441483, k.andre@aacc-ceta.org
www.aacc-ceta.org
Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA):
Rev Dr Johnson Mbillah (Nairobi): generaladviser@procmura.org
www.procmura.org
Courtesy of the African Faith leaders
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
AFRICAN YOUTH CLIMATE CARAVAN
YOUTH CONSTRUCTIVE RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate Change confronts us with profound Negative Realities. We face these Harmful Impacts as a Nation, as members of the World Community, as Consumers, as Producers, and as Investors. And unless we do a better job of adjusting to these new realities, we will pay a heavy price. We may not suffer the fate of the Dinosaurs, but there will be a Heavy Toll on our Environment and on our Daily Lives, and the Impact will be more Catastrophic with each New Generation. It’s of paramount importance that we act now, since we have Faith for a healthier future!
Warming up of the Climate System is beyond argument, as shown by observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, the widespread melting of snow and ice, rising global average sea levels, frequent floods and the prolonged drought in Kenya amongst other nations in the World. Evidence of a warming world includes shorter freezing seasons of Lakes and River ice, decreases in the extent of Permafrost and rising soil temperatures.
Observations from across the World show that many natural systems are being affected by regional climate change, especially by temperature increases. Other effects of regional climate change on humans and ecosystems are emerging. Many are difficult to pinpoint, both because of steps to adapt to changing climate, and because of factors unrelated to it. They range across areas as different as planting crops in Kenya to changes in allergic pollen distribution in the Northern Hemisphere, changes in the extension of areas where infectious diseases are transmitted or effects on activities depending for example on snow and ice cover on Mt. Kenya, Kilimanjaro and others.
The drought in Kenya and other African nations has been so severe in the year 2011 and many people have lost their lives. In addition to this, livestock have also died and this is detrimental to our growth and development as a nation. This is a direct result of Climate Change in the region and we must be proactive as we come up with lasting solutions to Climate Change growing threat.
There is no doubt that the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid- 20th century is due to the observed increase in Green House Gases (GHGs) emanating from human activities.
It is on this background that AYICC (Africa Youth Initiative on Climate Change) is organizing a Caravan from Nairobi to Durban – South Africa. AYICC – Kenya comprises of youth from YMCA, Green Warriors Movement, Y’s Men, St. Johns Community Centre, University of Nairobi, REEN, Tembea, Kenyatta University, Kibera, Ruai, Mombasa, Nyeri, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nanyuki, Machakos and many others. The vibrant movement has been on the forefront in mapping up strategies to address climate change in Kenya and the World in general. AYICC has chapters in other countries as well and they coordinate their efforts aimed at being a credible voice in Climate Change matters. These countries are: Zambia, South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Malawi amongst others.
To mitigate the effects of Climate Change, AYICC members have been organizing Tree Planting exercises, Clean up Events and Environmental Education Programmes in schools and other forums. These efforts are all geared to reducing the negative effects of Climate Change through a practical aspect of doing things and information dissemination. From November to December 2011, AYICC is organizing a Caravan from Nairobi to Durban – South Africa where the Conference of Parties (COP 17) will be held. The caravan has a Campaign called; We Have Faith Campaign: Act Now for Climate Justice”. The caravan aspires to create more awareness and challenge people positively to take up actions that will reduce the effects of Climate Change.
The noble Caravan plan is a Youth Led Initiative whose idea was generated in 2009 by AYICC – Kenya during a meeting in Nairobi. To achieve its objective, the Caravan will have concerts in all the countries that it will be passing through. These are Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana and finally into South Africa with seven (7) Climate Change concerts to create awareness in the major cities along the way. The “We have faith: act now for climate justice” Campaign is jointly run by Ecumenical Movements, Churches, Communities and Youth in Africa and together, we will amplify the African voice on Climate Change concerns. Other dedicated young persons from Norway, UK and other nations are also in the campaign and through harnessing our energies; we will become the ultimate “Global Voice on Climate Change”.
Well; the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCC) and its Kyoto Protocol has made notable achievements in addressing the challenges climate change imposes on humanity. Responding globally to the climate change problem, stimulating an array of national policies, creating an International Carbon Market, and establishing new institutional mechanisms may provide the foundation for future efforts to slow Climate Change. But to be more environmentally effective, future mitigation efforts would need to achieve deeper reductions covering activities with a higher share of global emissions.
By:
Cyrus Gachanja Omondi Ole Rabui
AYICC - KENYA
Climate Change confronts us with profound Negative Realities. We face these Harmful Impacts as a Nation, as members of the World Community, as Consumers, as Producers, and as Investors. And unless we do a better job of adjusting to these new realities, we will pay a heavy price. We may not suffer the fate of the Dinosaurs, but there will be a Heavy Toll on our Environment and on our Daily Lives, and the Impact will be more Catastrophic with each New Generation. It’s of paramount importance that we act now, since we have Faith for a healthier future!
Warming up of the Climate System is beyond argument, as shown by observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, the widespread melting of snow and ice, rising global average sea levels, frequent floods and the prolonged drought in Kenya amongst other nations in the World. Evidence of a warming world includes shorter freezing seasons of Lakes and River ice, decreases in the extent of Permafrost and rising soil temperatures.
Observations from across the World show that many natural systems are being affected by regional climate change, especially by temperature increases. Other effects of regional climate change on humans and ecosystems are emerging. Many are difficult to pinpoint, both because of steps to adapt to changing climate, and because of factors unrelated to it. They range across areas as different as planting crops in Kenya to changes in allergic pollen distribution in the Northern Hemisphere, changes in the extension of areas where infectious diseases are transmitted or effects on activities depending for example on snow and ice cover on Mt. Kenya, Kilimanjaro and others.
The drought in Kenya and other African nations has been so severe in the year 2011 and many people have lost their lives. In addition to this, livestock have also died and this is detrimental to our growth and development as a nation. This is a direct result of Climate Change in the region and we must be proactive as we come up with lasting solutions to Climate Change growing threat.
There is no doubt that the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid- 20th century is due to the observed increase in Green House Gases (GHGs) emanating from human activities.
It is on this background that AYICC (Africa Youth Initiative on Climate Change) is organizing a Caravan from Nairobi to Durban – South Africa. AYICC – Kenya comprises of youth from YMCA, Green Warriors Movement, Y’s Men, St. Johns Community Centre, University of Nairobi, REEN, Tembea, Kenyatta University, Kibera, Ruai, Mombasa, Nyeri, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nanyuki, Machakos and many others. The vibrant movement has been on the forefront in mapping up strategies to address climate change in Kenya and the World in general. AYICC has chapters in other countries as well and they coordinate their efforts aimed at being a credible voice in Climate Change matters. These countries are: Zambia, South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Malawi amongst others.
To mitigate the effects of Climate Change, AYICC members have been organizing Tree Planting exercises, Clean up Events and Environmental Education Programmes in schools and other forums. These efforts are all geared to reducing the negative effects of Climate Change through a practical aspect of doing things and information dissemination. From November to December 2011, AYICC is organizing a Caravan from Nairobi to Durban – South Africa where the Conference of Parties (COP 17) will be held. The caravan has a Campaign called; We Have Faith Campaign: Act Now for Climate Justice”. The caravan aspires to create more awareness and challenge people positively to take up actions that will reduce the effects of Climate Change.
The noble Caravan plan is a Youth Led Initiative whose idea was generated in 2009 by AYICC – Kenya during a meeting in Nairobi. To achieve its objective, the Caravan will have concerts in all the countries that it will be passing through. These are Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana and finally into South Africa with seven (7) Climate Change concerts to create awareness in the major cities along the way. The “We have faith: act now for climate justice” Campaign is jointly run by Ecumenical Movements, Churches, Communities and Youth in Africa and together, we will amplify the African voice on Climate Change concerns. Other dedicated young persons from Norway, UK and other nations are also in the campaign and through harnessing our energies; we will become the ultimate “Global Voice on Climate Change”.
Well; the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCC) and its Kyoto Protocol has made notable achievements in addressing the challenges climate change imposes on humanity. Responding globally to the climate change problem, stimulating an array of national policies, creating an International Carbon Market, and establishing new institutional mechanisms may provide the foundation for future efforts to slow Climate Change. But to be more environmentally effective, future mitigation efforts would need to achieve deeper reductions covering activities with a higher share of global emissions.
By:
Cyrus Gachanja Omondi Ole Rabui
AYICC - KENYA
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY
ENVIRONMENTAL SENTIMENTS
Environmental Genocide is what I see
Toxic gases are what I breathe
Murder of trees
Witnessing execution of rivers, lakes, air etc
Stop decapitating the environment please
This ignorance has to seize
This existing arrogance has to exiiiiit
We need plants, water, air and land to live
Like Adam needed air to breathe
Like Eve needed Adams rib
Every waste you inject in water and seize
Some people take it back and drink
The water you drink might be your urine
That's why people get sick
Environmental genocide is what I see
Blowing hot poisonous gases from chimneys
And car engines,
Lack of will,
To let the environment heal
Thus people get ill
Shaking like twigs
Bodies getting weak
Like a malnutrition Sub-Saharan kid who has not eaten for weeks
Coughing four hundred days per year, eight days a week
Thin air difficult to breathe
People being artificially asthmatic
Environmental genocide is all I see
Injustice vicious cycle is all I see
A human pricks the environment
The environment stubs them back to death
A cold war is all I see
Neither human nor environment wins
So I preach peace
Start with you and me
And let the others follow the wind
Cause am not gonna sit
And watch the environment slap human beings
So join in
And let’s stop this
Cause environmental genocide is all I see
By: Simon Muoki
*Simon is a young environmental enthusiast fresh out of high school, he writes and performs environmental and other poetry!
Environmental Genocide is what I see
Toxic gases are what I breathe
Murder of trees
Witnessing execution of rivers, lakes, air etc
Stop decapitating the environment please
This ignorance has to seize
This existing arrogance has to exiiiiit
We need plants, water, air and land to live
Like Adam needed air to breathe
Like Eve needed Adams rib
Every waste you inject in water and seize
Some people take it back and drink
The water you drink might be your urine
That's why people get sick
Environmental genocide is what I see
Blowing hot poisonous gases from chimneys
And car engines,
Lack of will,
To let the environment heal
Thus people get ill
Shaking like twigs
Bodies getting weak
Like a malnutrition Sub-Saharan kid who has not eaten for weeks
Coughing four hundred days per year, eight days a week
Thin air difficult to breathe
People being artificially asthmatic
Environmental genocide is all I see
Injustice vicious cycle is all I see
A human pricks the environment
The environment stubs them back to death
A cold war is all I see
Neither human nor environment wins
So I preach peace
Start with you and me
And let the others follow the wind
Cause am not gonna sit
And watch the environment slap human beings
So join in
And let’s stop this
Cause environmental genocide is all I see
By: Simon Muoki
*Simon is a young environmental enthusiast fresh out of high school, he writes and performs environmental and other poetry!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
YOUTH PARTICIPATION!
A NEW DAWN FOR THE KENYAN YOUTHS;
The realization of the importance of the youths as one of the stakeholders towards a developed nation by the government has laid a platform for the youths to engage in the governance of this country. On the 24th November 2010 Africa youth initiative on climate change Kenya represented by George Auko-the chief coordinator, Bildad-from REEN and Alpha-member together with youth leaders from all over the country had a meeting with the prime minister, other senior officials from the government and the private sector to deliberate on the way forward in the quest for the alternative leadership of this country.
The question on “whether the youths are the resource that this country was missing or not” was given a strong affirmation that our country cannot develop unless we recognize that the youths are part of the stakeholders in this country. Therefore with the statistics from our last national census showing that the youths make up 75-78% of our population it is evident that the achievement of the UN millennium development goals by 2015 is quite a great task without the youths being stakeholders of the troop to wage this battle.
Why a new dawn for the Kenyan youths is because this was the first meeting to dialogue on issues between the youths and both the public and private sector. It is therefore clear that we have proven to be a very great resource for this country’s alternative leadership and we are ready to build tomorrow’s future today. The approach of the meeting was based on 4 key thematic areas that affect our country’s development among them being; education and health, youth empowerment, culture arts& sports, governance and leadership. The deliberations made were presented to the respective sectors responsible as a recommendation and on the other side we as the youths committed ourselves to being part of the issues to be addressed. It was noted that this is a two way channel which most of us must play a part towards the achievement of the deliberations of the meeting.
With all this deliberations made and with the participation of all the key stakeholders, a way of evaluating the implementations of the deliberations was formulated and termed as the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI).This initiative entailed implementing this deliberations within a time span of 90 days after which we will go back to the drawing table and evaluate on what has been achieved and what needs to be done.
With all this achieved it was a green light to the Kenyan youths that this country needs an alternative form of leadership. Within this time frame of 90 days regional tours will be held to raise the awareness on the search of the alternative leadership to all the youths in all regions and get suggestions on what they think should be addressed.
The closure of the meeting was a great hope to the Kenyan people and more so to the youths of this country and a great task ahead to all of us. For sure the Kenyan youths are ready to be the change that they want to see themselves as per Mahatma Ghandi wise saying.
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