BEYOND THE WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL DAY, 2014

The 31^st World Environmental Day will be marked on June 5^th this week. This is an important day to increase publicity on the need for improving the state of our environment. I see it as a day where the public demonstrates their grass-root actions that have had a positive impact on our environment. Celebrating this day further leads to what I would call transformational thinking, something that we at Mazingira Safi Initiative strive to achieve. The theme for this year’s celebrations is “Small Island Development States”. I guess for most of us Kenyans we may not be aware what this theme is all about.

Let me give you a brief rundown. Human activities over the past half a century have led to some devastating effect on the planet. The low lying islands nations are some of the victims left to absorb the negative effect of climate change, which is also their foremost development challenge. Arguably, some of them are likely to be submerged when sea levels continue rising. You can imagine a situation where an entire country vanishes by being submerged in water because all the arctic ice has melted and the sea levels have risen to unprecedented heights. While this still remains imaginary, the coastal lines of these islands are faced with a situation where their biodiversity is destroyed by a combined effect of climate change, hence the need to turn the spotlight on these low lying islands during this year’s world environmental day.

Image source: UNEP

 But as the world awaits to celebrate this day, we as MSI intend to continue showing that it is possible to reduce the impact of human activities on the environment by inspiring grass-root actions where we are.  We will continue to make our contribution count in raising our voices and not the sea levels. 

However, one big challenge we face is that of changing people’s mindsets and developing a culture of personal responsibility. This is a challenge that cannot be addressed overnight. It takes resilience and moving a step further to inspire people, especially the young generation, before we can begin to realize transformation thinking. It can be hard to measure such an attribute but it is easy to notice it because it is evident in culture and behaviors. For instance, I know Kenyans have a tendency of improper littering in their own country. But, meet the same Kenyans in Dubai or in London they would not do the same thing. (I have used the word “Kenyans’ loosely because I know a few places in Kenya where people do not litter improperly). This shows the extent of the challenge because the privilege to travel to such cities is mainly with the educated Kenyans. Essentially, we have to adopt a culture of personal responsibility towards the environment and it starts with those who are informed.  

However, looking beyond the World Environmental Day, MSI will continue to unite communities to love and take care of their environment. Unity is important in mitigating causes of climate change. No matter where we live, we all have an individual responsibility to protect the environment. The longer we take waiting for someone else to do it, the more the damage is caused. So, I think, there is no better time to start than now. 

"The planet Earth is our shared island, let us join forces to protect it." -Ban Ki Moon

Article written by Kelly Wale

LITTER FACTS & MYTHS: DON'T BE A LITTER BUG!!!!!!

What is litter? It simply is trash put in the wrong place, in a place where it doesn't belong.

Trash can belong any number of places - in the garbage can, in the recycling bin, in a reuse facility, at the sanitary landfill or the waste-to-energy plant. Where it does not belong is on the ground, in the rivers or oceans or blowing in the air.

Litter originates from SEVEN major sources. Four are stationary sources where people live and work - household trash collection areas, business trash collection areas, business and industrial loading docks and construction and demolition sites. Three are moving sources - uncovered trucks, motorists and pedestrians.

Although there are many reasons given for littering, two of the most common are not having a disposal container available and being too lazy to walk to the recycling or trash container. Although most people will agree litter is ugly, most do not know it has economic, legal and environmental repercussions as well.

Litter is ugly. No one likes to live where there is litter. Neighbourhoods with a litter problem usually have higher crime, lower property values and less pride in their neighbourhood. Litter begets litter. A place that is littered tends to encourage more litter i.e. a dropped off washing machine soon encourages other debris and a dump site is formed. So, the quicker dropped litter is picked up, the less chance it has of accumulating.

Litter is also expensive. Every year, governments spend millions of shillings cleaning up litter. Houses for sale in littered neighbourhoods usually don’t get the best prices and owners lose money. Fires started by dropped or dumped litter cause millions of dollars of damage every year.

Litter is illegal. Kenyans are unaware of littering fines. In Pennsylvania, if you are caught littering from a vehicle, you can be fined up to $300 (KES 26580). Most localities also have fines for businesses or pedestrians caught littering. Littering in Kenya should perhaps be made a serious offence punishable by such hefty fines as it will be against the law. This will enable Kenyans and make them aware that opening a package of gum and dropping the wrapper on the sidewalk is doing an illegal act and, if caught, MUST face charges!!! Maybe then, the country will be cleaner.

Litter hurts people. Young children fall on litter in playgrounds, get cut and need medical attention. Litter also harms plants and degrades natural areas. When garbage is dumped, it can kill or stunt plant growth. Few people think about the harm to natural areas from litter.

Litter kills or injures animals. Many small animals crawl into bottles or jars and get stuck and slowly starve to death. Animals get caught in plastic six pack rings, plastic bags, fishing line and a multitude of throwaways. Birds that are stuck can’t fly away from danger. Sometimes animals caught in six pack rings are strangled as they grow too big for the opening. Animals get cut, infected and die. Every year, millions of birds, fish and animals die from litter.

Litter is a problem that can be controlled. Education is an important tool. People who are aware of the dangers of litter often make more of an effort to always put their trash the correct place. They also spread the word to others they see littering and teach them to dispose of garbage the right way. Community clean ups encourage people to take pride in their community and keep it clean. Quick removal of litter keeps it from growing into an unmanageable dump site. People can make a difference. Litter can be conquered.

MYTH: Litter control is not important.

FACT: Litter may not be the most dramatic or exciting of the many problems that threaten the quality of our environment, but it is a problem which affects everyone in the community

MYTH: Only "certain types" of people litter.

FACT: "Litterbugs" can be found among people of every age, sex, race and ethnic origin, at every level of society and in all geographic locations

MYTH: Littering creates jobs.

FACT: LITTER COSTS MONEY. Taxpayers pay millions of dollars annually for roadside clean-up. Not a good way to spend out taxes.

MYTH: No one notices litter.

FACT: LITTER DESTROYS THE BEAUTY OF A COMMUNITY. Tourism is an important part of government's economy. People come from all over the world to see the beauty of our countryside, towns and cities. When litter mars their enjoyment, governments lose valuable tourist shillings.

MYTH: Litter doesn't hurt anyone.

FACT: Litter is a safety hazard. Litter is a breeding ground for fire and disease, for rats and disease-causing bacteria.

FACT: Ingesting litter causes injury or death to thousands of pets, wild and farm animals.

MYTH: Litter doesn't affect the economy.

FACT: Litter discourages economic development because it impacts real estate values. Good stores and important businesses will not locate in a community which lacks the pride to effectively control litter.

Before you litter next time, think of all the consequences that will follow!

(Adapted from PENNdot, customized for Kenyans by Purity Wanjohi)