Environmentalist

  The way we see the world shapes the way we treat it; a river should be seen as one of the veins of the land and not dumpsite or waste disposal site.   The planet should be seen as our mother, not an opportunity - then we will treat our environment with great respect knowing we will get benefits. Pollution in Nairobi River, to be specific, is a serious ecological issue which can and might trigger an irreversible and catastrophic collapse in the planet’s life support system apart from the climate change, species extinction, deforestation and global warming. We need to rediscover our biological place and learn to live in balance with the natural world that sustains us and see ourselves as part of the natural world; recognizing that our biological nature determines our most basic needs, which all come from nature. The destruction of the Nairobi River is surely driven much by the overarching crisis residing in the modern urban human mind and in values and beliefs from the p...

Water covers 70 percent of the surface of the planet and this majorly oceans. Our earth is a water planet therefore our actions on atmosphere, top soil, deforestation affects our biological relatives in the marine system. Life begins in our waters, thus oceans. Vast array of living things have their habitats there. The ocean’s habitats are being destroyed and over-exploited for food, thus fish eggs, as well as sale of fish of different sizes, shapes and varieties filling our markets. Our ignorance of the aqueous world and ecosystem is extremely vast or unlimited. Oceans have been used as a dumpsite for our garbage, sewage, nuclear waste as well as industrial effluents. Humans living on land tend to ignore what lifeforms beneath the ocean waves. Our activities on land effects and thus ecological devastation affects the oceans and now we are turning and sourcing for our food from the oceans. Attempts by humans in protection as well as efforts in aid to breed dozens in captivity of either...

Continued search after truth is usually an expensive adventure. Seeking or revising the facts or theories require a lot of time to do the experiments in order to give detailed feedback. Science must therefore, be aided by research.  Lifestyles and thoughts of ourselves, as humans, have been changed by each innovation. Deep secrets of nature have been revealed and answers have pushed back ignorance as a result of science. Greater discoveries are still providing knowledge that is important and needed to improve our lives. The last century, 21 st  Century, was dominated by insights that were considered spectacular through the scientists who applied their ideas by means of technological models and experiments. Human evolution has been revolutionized by technology dating back to the first records of species. It provided practical dividends without requirement for scientific explanation whether metalwork, pottery, painting, or bow and arrow. Today, technological innovation is driven...

  Zebras grazing on grass in a National Park. PHOTO: David P. Kioko Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) as the key sector stakeholders in conservation, were challenged to rethink conservation approaches. Preservation of Kenya’s flora and fauna resources needs innovation of new models. This was a challenge by the President Uhuru Kenyatta on December 16, 2021 during celebrations to mark the 75 th Anniversary of Nairobi National Park. The sector stakeholders must ensure factors including climate change and increase in human population which consequently leads to change of socioeconomic desires are balanced with the new approaches as matters of conservation are concerned.   “We need to really think imaginatively how we will do it and how we will ensure that future generations are able to live side by side with nature and with our wildlife as we have done,” said the Head of State. The President also emphasized the need for a robust sustai...

Kenya Forest Service Officer doing some pricking at a tree nursery. Photo credit: Mercy Musuya   A tree of more than a hundred of years, for example, has had massive impact in the environment before a human defines its value. That tree absorbed carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas – from the atmosphere. Carbon sequestration is a major part played in life’s climate system. In return, the tree released oxygen as a by-product. The by-product is massively dependent upon by all animals including us for survival as well as in the photosynthesis process. The leaves of the tree transformed the energy of photons it absorbed into sugar molecules thus the stored energy is liberated in metabolism reactions under control. The tree’s roots clung to soil under harsh weather and climatic conditions like heavy rainfall, inhibiting erosion. Vast water quantities siphoned end up in the canopy. This is where it is therefore released through transpiration – ameliorating weather. The tree offered a...

A lady working in a tree nursery. Photo credit: Mercy Musuya Human beings especially the loggers believe that the value of a tree is only determined by the revenue it generates in our economy. They ignore to consider what that specific tree does before entering the economy. The forest floor is usually covered by living organisms thus you will be able to come across lichens or mosses coating rocks. The decaying woods, fallen logs as well as snags are dependent upon by countless organisms for nutrition and protection. With this complexity and a link of this kind that is beyond our comprehension since all are held together, by not only the air but also water and sunlight suffusing them, makes this community recognized as a forest. “Second-growth forest” is a term used majorly by foresters. They consider it a forest but it is usually a tree plantation. This is like a “managed forest” while others call it “fibre farm” and it is an important practice in our environment, however, for ...

A young lady receiving COVID-19 vaccine jab. Photo credit: Christine "Tina" Ouma. Summary ·  Threats and intimidation only create the fear of the unknown and makes one to question the motives if it’s rather of good will. ·  Proper communication drives out the fear and the misinformation amongst those hesitant for the jab. We are through to the last month of the year, December. A month full of activities all geared towards a happy end year thus festivities. The month that will test your dependency to government services yet hesitant to listen to the government, taking a vaccine jab. Yes, it is the month that all the government offices will be going through your COVID-19 vaccination certificate in order to be served. It does not matter your “burning issue” – what matters is the certificate and safety of government officials. That’s the ticket for service. Ticket for service at the local airline, even SGR trains will have to check it before getting you to your destination and it...