Environmentalists and stakeholders in the private sector have raised concerns over increased ecosystem degradation.
They say that Kenya is far from protecting herself from global warming noting that rapid changes in land use as well as the increase of industries that emit carbon have contributed largely to the deterioration of the environment.
The groups including Hearts of Green, Wangari Maathai Institute and Kanisa Sacco maintain that deliberate and concerted efforts must be adopted to salvage the environment from further squalor as well as restore it.
The groups have launched an ambitious program aimed at planting millions of trees within institutions, including schools and hospitals among others, across the country.
The programme, according to Hearts of Green CEO Moses Muya, is in tandem with the Government’s plans to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 to realize forest restoration and tackle the effects of climate change.
Muya said that they seek to partner with more corporates and players within the private sector in the noble course, noting that they are the ones who largely contribute to climate change.
He spoke on Saturday at Kenyatta University Teaching, Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH) when the groups planted some 600 fruits and indigenous tree seedlings.
Godrey Muraguri, Kanisa Sacco CEO, underscored the significance of the government’s endeavour to plant and grow 15 billion trees in the next nine years saying that it holds immense worth for the country and the world at large.
“Trees act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing harmful greenhouse gases and mitigating the effects of climate change. They provide essential ecosystem services, such as regulating water cycles, preventing soil erosion, and supporting biodiversity. Moreover, trees offer economic benefits by creating sustainable livelihoods, promoting eco-tourism, and enhancing the overall well-being of communities,” Muraguri said.
The CEO rallied corporate entities and institutions nationwide to join efforts and help the government accomplish the initiative. He observed that to accomplish the 15 billion trees target by 2032, a meticulous planting strategy is necessary.
“Approximately 750 million trees need to be planted annually for the next 20 years to plant 15 billion trees. This staggering number highlights the magnitude of the challenge. This emphasizes the urgency for concerted efforts from various stakeholders,” he said.
Prof Thuita Thenya of Wangari Maathai Institute noted that investment in carbon credit is another strategy that investors and the private sector should adopt to address climate change while generating income at the same time.
He noted that the groups will also partner in creating awareness on carbon markets so as to lure more Kenyans as well as entities into tree planting.
Ann Kioi, the Chairperson of Kanisa Sacco rallied for commitment from both governmental and corporate sectors, coupled with the involvement of youth-led initiatives to safeguard Kenya’s natural resources and combat climate change.
“We have been engaging in tree planting activities as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and we have gone ahead to allocate a budget towards improving and sustaining the initiative, all stakeholders must partner for such crucial developments,” Kioi said.