HerDithy: Carbon- Conscious #9

 

Looking at the presence of carbon credits in Kenya, it leads to having this conversation around the laws that are meant to be a compass as to how environmental issues are handled. The Kenyan Law Article 42 under the Bill of Rights, every person has the right to a clean and healthy environment which includes the right- (a.) to have an environment protected for the benefit of the present and future generations through legislative and other measures, particularly those contemplated in Article 69; and (b.) to have obligations relating to the environment fulfilled under Article 70.

Imagine how much time, effort was taken to make your car, the clothes on your back and that phone in your hand. To some extent Kenya, as a big consumer nation, is to blame because we do not fully grasp the extent of environmental degradation it takes to produce most items or commodities that we use on a daily. In terms of employment, industries such as the textile and Juakali have employed thousands across the country both directly and indirectly. That sufuria that you make tea with, looks kinda special right? The different mechanisms that enhance value addition of commodities have been seen to leave an environmental impact that is not being dealt with effectively.

To work towards enhancing an environmental- conscious society, measures such as Environmental licensing are important as they involve giving grants of license or authorization and permits. A license imposes any fixed standards based on the best level of expertise and wide consultation and the targeted persons and institutions will be required to follow or face sanctions. For instance, processing companies that dispose waste in form of drainage systems must get the license from the government, you know, Kanjo. These guys are meant to regularly conduct inspections to ensure that these companies follow the required regulations in draining their waste.

In 2011, Kenya Airways launched a carbon offset program for its passengers from geothermal projects in Kenya. Kenya Airways is one of the few companies that are voluntarily measuring and offsetting their carbon as an impactful way to deal with global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates that aviation contributes 2% of manmade carbon dioxide emissions to the environment. These carbon emissions contribute heavily to climate change, including global warming a phenomenon that is threatening the inhabitants of planet earth.

How does all this work? In partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Kenya Airways informs the passenger of the actual distance of the flight in question and calculates the level of emissions created by that flight per person. With the use of the IATA carbon calculator, it takes into consideration the load factor and weight for passengers and belly cargo. That is cool stuff right there.

Taking care of the environment involves implementing techniques that are inclined to environmental regulation. Firstly, the use of preventive measures aims to curtail certain industrial activities and use of land that have potential of causing pollution. Secondly, it allows setting limits on the concentration of certain pollutants that are permitted to enter the environment. Criminal law can be used to punish the polluter as a form of remedial control. For instance, Nairobi County has sensitized the county against pollution that involves placing posters in places not designated for such e.g., during elections, posters of politicians that were found in prohibited places were fined heavily through the arm of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

A practical approach to environment conservation will in turn improve the quality of society.

Mwihaki Karanja





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