Africa Marks Environmental Day

Over 200 young people and high –level experts will convene in Nairobi to review key environmental issues impacting Africa, including illegal wildlife crime, forest conservation and food security.

The event, which dovetails with Wangari Maathai Day, a celebration of the life and work of the Green Belt Movement founder, is organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Government of Kenya and the Green Belt Movement.

Professor Maathai, Africa’s first female Nobel laureate, was the inspiration for the Billion Tree Campaign, which UNEP began in 2006.

Eight years later, 13.8 billion trees have been planted under the campaign, which is now run by the Plant for the Planet Foundation.

The focus of Africa Environment Day echoes the theme of the January 2014 African Union Summit, and demonstrates a coordinated effort on the part of African leaders to emphasize the detrimental effects of land degradation to Africa’s food security aspirations.

2014 is the Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa.

However, the continent still must overcome challenges related to climate change, desertification and land degradation, loss of biodiversity to the illegal trade in wildlife and timber, management of waste and chemicals, and marine pollution.

The UN Population Division estimates that Africa’s population will reach 2.4 billion by 2050, and to feed this population the ecosystems the prop up agriculture will have to be kept healthy.

Taking the value of ecosystem services into account in national planning is a vital part of the Green Economy transition, which will slow down degradation, assist nations and communities to adapt to those changes that are inevitable, and ensure a healthy, wealthy and sustainable continent.

By Beth Nyaga

Tags:

citizentv citizen citizen news citizennews BETH NYAGA UNEP Africa environmental day United Nations Environment Programme

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories