NAIROBI, Kenya – On World Environment Day, Greenpeace Africa has issued a strong call for urgent climate action from the Kenyan government, highlighting the theme of land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience.
The organization stressed the severe and escalating impacts of the climate crisis on various aspects of life, including education, healthcare, and food and water security.
“The climate crisis is unfolding violently before our eyes. It threatens to disrupt every aspect of our lives, and we are in an unprecedented emergency. The Kenyan government, as a key stakeholder, needs to take decisive climate action by declaring a climate emergency now,” Hellen Dena, Greenpeace Africa’s Pan-African Plastics Project Lead, warned.
Kenya has recently experienced catastrophic floods, resulting in over 220 deaths and displacing more than 200,000 people.
Dena emphasized the need for the government to ensure that disaster management funds are effectively allocated to impacted communities and called for genuine solutions to address the climate crisis.
“As the head of the Committee of African Heads of States and Governments on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), President Ruto has a pivotal role in addressing the climate crisis,” Dena stated.
“President Ruto should shift his focus away from promoting unsustainable and false solutions such as carbon offsetting projects. Instead, he should advocate for real solutions like financing clean and renewable energy systems, improving ecological agricultural practices, and protecting biodiversity.”
Greenpeace Africa sees World Environment Day as an opportunity for the Kenyan government to take bold climate action.
“Kenya, with its vast renewable energy potential, can lead the global transition to clean energy,” Dena stressed.
“By embracing this potential and moving beyond fossil fuels, President Ruto can safeguard people’s livelihoods, the environment, and the economy from the devastating impacts of the climate crisis.”
