HerDithy: Trees - the silent massacre #6

 

“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago; the second-best time is now. “- unknown

Kenya is among the countries with a forest cover of less than 2% of the total land mass. We are also part of the 105 countries that promised to end and reverse deforestation by 2030. The ecological heritage of trees is Kenya has been pioneered by the GreenBelt Movement activist; Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai. She fought dearly to protect the trees most of us are basking under, but her efforts seem to be fading with the years. Charcoal and timber production, agriculture expansion, unregulated lumbering and urbanization are the common culprits for the aggravating state of tree conservation in Kenya.

Did we displace trees or trees displaced us? Human beings are continually finding it problematic to co-exist with nature: finding it necessary to deplete most natural habitats and to ensure their survival. Trees help to clean the air we breathe; filter the water we drink and provide habitat to over 80% of the world`s terrestrial biodiversity. Trees save water and beautify terrain. If you want to know the seasons – winter, summer, fall- look at the trees. For diseases, even our Neolithic ancestors relied on the leaves, roots and barks of trees to treat illnesses. The bed you sleep on, that nice couch that swallows you as you tune in to your favorite show on Netflix are all products of trees that were planted years ago.

Stirring this conversation must include those who their livelihoods depend on the occupations that facilitate degrading the environment. For some reason, we have normalized to factor out compensation of these natural resources. When we build apartments, skyscrapers, how often do contractors consider making the space ecofriendly to accommodate trees?

This could be why Nairobi is dubbed `shamba la mawe`, literally.  

Trees help to absorb carbon dioxide which they convert into oxygen and release back to the air. With the rapid climate change, deforestation contributes to the buildup of excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide comes from the burning of fossil fuels that make it possible for you to cook, drive or take a mat to work.

Urbanization is not only extending to urban cities, but even in the rural settings. Clearing forests to increase land for agricultural utilization has been on the rise. One of the reasons this is happening is because of the increasing population, hence more demand for food. There is no much issue with that, the problem arises where there is no structure to compensate the cutting down of trees.

Trees can hold water, thus enhancing ecosystems in biodiverse ways that make it possible to sustain human, animal and plant life. On the other hand, deforestation contributes to soil erosion and flooding. This can be reflected with the rising water levels of the lakes in the basins of Rift Valley and parts of the North where disastrous flash floods occur which erase the dire purpose of devolution.

“God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools.” John Muir.

Some of our tenderpreneur leaders we elect go to parliament and pass laws that enrich them rather than progressively equipping the society. The future of our children will be determined by us: bright or dull. When you take a walk and feel like the sun is getting to hot, do not be too fast to say `heh, na hii jua ni kali leo! `. There is something we can all do: plant more trees be it in ushago, your backyard, or even your former primary/high school. This is a step in the direction that will promote climate change mitigation and adaptation, restore biodiversity and create livelihoods.

Your part, Your impact, is the change You want to see.


Mwihaki Karanja


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