one nature, one afrika
We are so much more connected than we are divided!
Marching on - One Nature, One Afrika
It is March. And we are at it again. Greeting you with the amazing oozes from our array of landscapes. Afrika, we march on, crafting the story that makes us who we are, from eons before, to eons to come. Take a moment, dive into every single one of these stories, and explore with us across the stunning landscapes featured this month.
Aiita Joshua Apamaku, Uganda
Aiita lures us in with a touch of poetry. Praising the geography, speaking to the beauty in the skies, the life inside nature, and the blossoming across species. Afrika oh Afrika, your son has done you such justice! Check the piece out below:
Only in the African tropics;
Only in the tropics does the sun shine bright all over the land surface, and it's reflection as bright rays of sparkles over the leaves and flowers
Only in the tropics do the skies go clear and bright, taking on a colour rhythm as the vast oceans, lakes and rivers beneath
Only in the tropics do the leaves go green all year round, setting scenes of natural beauty in their wild coverage
Only in the tropics do the flowers blossom in varied bright colours of new discovery all year long, supporting life from the most minute of species to the largest of creatures, pollinators for our daily existence and aesthetic pleasure
This is where life exists; this is home to the most diverse of species around the globe; this is ideal of tropical Africa
An ideal tropical Africa is our responsibility to protect and restore!
Photo credit: Aiita Joshua Apamaku
Rhoda Chausa, Tanzania
Rhoda boldly chooses Lake Victoria, a big freshwater body supporting many lives and livelihoods, biodiversity across Eastern and Northern Afrika. She points out the ills affecting the lake ecosystem, including pollution, and alludes to safeguarding and protecting the lake for posterity. Reason with Rhoda below:
Beautiful Lake Victoria.
A fresh water source, but with several threats. Pollution is threatening the wellness of the lake as well as the fish industry. Victoria cries for help from everyone, it urges every person to take responsibility in environmental management and conservation of the lake as well as the areas surrounding it. Education about the importance of keeping the beautiful Victoria and other lakes safe as well as the areas surrounding it can raise more awareness to people even in the rural areas since most people depend on it for livelihood. I urge all of East Africa to take action in conserving and managing the beautiful Victoria for the sake of current and future generations.
Zuhura Shaweji, Tanzania
This is the beauty of Tanzania featuring the crow. It's presence is both an indicator of ecological imbalance and a generous opportunity to connect with the animal world. Crows on our Planet reminds us that we do not need to head to far away places to encounter nature. Rather, even in the suburbs and cities where we live we are surrounded by wildlife such as crows, and through observing them we can enhance our appreciation of the world's natural order.
Bulimo Peter, Kenya
Bulimo took part in the first ever Youth Environment Assembly(YEA), which preceded the UNEA 5.2 assembly. The convening brought together world youth delegates to Nairobi to discuss, challenge and provide solutions to the environmental, pollution and governance issues. For a gathering that notably had a historical outcome, reflect with Bulimo on his take from the assembly:
The week ending March 4th 2022 marked the end of UNEA 5.2 as well as the commemoration of UNEP at 50. As the world reflects on how far UNEP has come and “the UNEP We Want” moving forth, the environmental fraternity remains fingers-crossed hoping the open ended committee of permanent representatives (OECPR) recommendations that the assembly begins negotiations for a legally binding treaty that addresses the full life cycle of plastics will come to fruition (and that this will come to happen sooner rather later). The plastic monument erected at the UNEP is just but an embodiment of years of unregulated plastic pollution by mega companies from across the globe. We are asking the UNEP, governments and global stakeholders to #CloseThePlasticsTap for a sustainable future for both people and the planet!
Orieny Japheth, Kenya
It was an opportunity of a lifetime to attend the #UNEA5 at the United Nations Environment Headquarters in Gigiri , Nairobi-Kenya. Several hundred delegates attended the event but as always it was as exclusive as any high level event can be.
Any other proceedings at the UNEA 5.2, which was concluded in the first week of March, were eclipsed by the historical plastic treaty negotiations that took place. World leaders and Member states agreed on a Plastic Treaty that will help the to #BreakFreeFromPlastics. This was hailed as one of the most successful conferences in the history of UNEP only comparable to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Not to be sceptical or negative minded but this is not the first time that the UNEP has committed to a treaty that they failed to implement.
It will take two more years to develop the tools and necessary instruments that will help in implementation of this "historical treaty". As the Executive Director of United Nations Environment Programme Inger Andersen said, “Now the world is watching”. And like the watchers on the wall we will watch and see what their (world leaders) word is worth. Collaboration and pragmatic action will define how best out generation solves the problem of #PlasticPollution.
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What next? Well, we got some amazing collaborations with WeAre8, who are helping us reach more audience for our PhotoChallenge. Tune in next month for more!_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Contributors:
This has been an amazing collaboration among our Afrika Global Ambassadors; Orieny Japheth, Aiita Joshua, Rhoda Chausa, Peter Bulimo, Zuhura Shaweji
Compiled by: Kaluki Paul