Blue Whales Spotted off King Harbor

A pod of blue whales—including a mother and her calf—was spotted Monday in the Santa Monica Bay about a mile from the mouth of King Harbor, City News Service reported.

The news helicopter from television station ABC7 caught the whales on camera, and the station aired the video during one of its morning news shows.

Recently, a Long Beach-based whale-watching boat spotted about a dozen blue whales feeding in Southern California waters.

Blue whales are a protected species, and experts believe there are more than 10,000 worldwide. Their numbers dwindled in the early 20th century, but in 1966, governments across the globe banned the hunting of the largest mammal in the world.

Blue whales can grow to about 90 feet long and live for as long as 80 years. They feed on krill and plankton from the ocean by filtering it through a mouthful of stiff fibers called baleen.

Are women victims or the main contributors to climate change?

Introduction

"In climate change induced disasters, it is primarily the poor who have suffered the most, the majority of which are women," this according to Anne Maine of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA).

Africa as a continent is responsible for only 3.8 percent of global CO2 emissions, yet it is one of the regions suffering most from the devastating impact of climate change. And out of the 1.3 billion people living in conditions of poverty worldwide, seventy percent are women. The impact of climate change on the poorest nations on Earth will make them still poorer while at the same time widening the societal divides between men and women. Due to their restricted access to information and resources as well as their limited involvement in decision-making procedures, women are the most victims/vulnerable to the impact of climate change.

Women also play a significant role in facilitating climate change around the world through the various socio-economic activities they are involved in. From food shortages to forest degradation and new and more complex health risks, as well as an increased likelihood of conflict over resources, the impacts of climate change threaten to further jeopardize the lives of women and girls. But just as many women are bearing the greatest burden of climate change because of their role as providers for their families; it is women who are developing the solutions that will save our world from the impacts of global warming.

1.      Women as the victims of climate change

In many climate change forums, seminars, workshops, etc, women are always represented as victims of climate change. Case in point;

In sub-Saharan Africa, women are responsible for 70-80 percent of household food production. It is usually women who gather firewood and drawing water from wells. They also play a predominant role in agriculture. If local natural resources become scarce due to extended drought or flooding there is much evidence to suggest that in parts of the world these activities are now taking much more time. Under the current scenario, women have to work more in order to ensure the food supply of their household and therefore have less access to education. In this vicious cycle, social inequalities increase to the detriment of women. 

The depriving of the girl child from an education might bring about the vicious cycle of poverty, and according to studies, might as well bring about inequality, which will undermine the social capital needed to deal effectively with climate change. 

Women are often faced with culturally grounded restrictions to participation in the public sphere. In some cases, women are not allowed to enter the public spaces without being accompanied by a man. In times of natural disasters caused by extreme temperatures, they have less access to information, be it the weather forecast or early warning systems for disasters. Research shows that the existing economic and social inequalities between women and men lead to more female victim during natural catastrophes. Women and children are 14 times more likely than men to die during a disaster. For example, during the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia, 65 percent of the victims were women. In contrast to men, they were mostly in their houses when the tsunami arrived, and had not received any warnings.

Due to devastating effects of intense heat from the sun rays, water bodies dry up and women are forced to walk long distances in such of water for domestic purposes. Girls are sometimes kept home from school to help gather fuel, perpetuating the cycle of disempowerment. Moreover, when environmental degradation forces them to search farther afield for resources, women and girls become more vulnerable to injuries from carrying heavy loads long distances,9 and also face increased risk of sexual harassment and assault.

What’s more, the risk of contracting serious illnesses is aggravated by environmental hazards caused by climate change. In addition to the reference provided above of climate impacting women’s health through water scarcity and water contamination, an abundance of evidence links the evolution and distribution of infectious diseases to climate and weather. This entails a greater incidence of infectious diseases such as cholera, malaria, and dengue fever, due to the extension of risk seasons and wider geographic distribution of disease vectors.

These examples show that under the current scenario, the impact of climate change will in the long run contribute to an increase in social inequalities. In other words, due to their role in society, women in developing countries are the most vulnerable to environmental degradation. An environmental degradation to which they have little or no influence on.

"When the rural environment becomes unsustainable, it's the women whose lives are most disrupted," says Professor Wangari Maathai, Nobel laureate in 2004

2.      Women as the contributors to climate change

As a result of the roles bestowed upon them in society women have more often contributed towards climate change and the effects currently being experienced. For example, in Ghana, Women who are in charge of the households have no choice than to walk for miles before getting one bucket of water to take care of the home. For some, due to the distance they decide to bring to the water side their dirty clothes, and that of their families, to wash them there, instead of walking for several miles just to fetch a bucket of water, which will not be sufficient for washing only.  According to these women, most of the water bodies they rely on for their domestic chores have turned into dry lands, leaving them no choice than to spend most of the hours of the day in search of water for their families. 

Economic status in the society also is a major factor that contributes to climate change. Women and girls comprise an estimated 70% of the world’s poor. It is a result of this that women end up in deforestation practices for purposes of clearing land for cultivation, acquiring wood fuel for domestic and commercial use, increasing costs of energy, transport, health care, and nutrition are likely to affect women more than men. Hence women resorting to walk to access goods and services, use alternative medication-traditional medicine, poor feeding habits for the women and children. All this combined contribute significantly towards climate change related illnesses like malnutrition, heat stress, cholera, diarrhea, etc.

Women farmers currently account for 45-80 per cent of all food production in developing countries depending on the region. About two-thirds of the female labour force in developing countries, and more than 90 percent in many African countries, are engaged in agricultural work. In the context of climate change traditional food sources become more unpredictable and scarce, and with the women being the main producers they transfer the effects by increasing food prices in the market place which affects the poor people, majority being the women and girls. This is a vicious cycle that women find themselves unable to change.

Women in developing countries have also subscribed to the stereotype that “women are not supposed to be heard, they are there to be seen” and as a result they have decided not to participate in any decision making process involving climate change. When decision are made, their role in society is not actively incorporated, hence being marginalized. For example, In the European heat wave in 2003, the excess mortality for women was 75% higher than that for men of all ages. Similarly, the excess mortality in the 1995 heat wave in Greater London was more pronounced for women, in ways that cannot entirely be accounted for by age. While the explanation is complex, this was largely attributed to women not involved in decision-making processes and as a result neglected the early warning systems.

Conclusion

Women—particularly those in poor countries—will be affected differently than men. They are among the most vulnerable to climate change, partly because in many countries they make up the larger share of the agricultural work force and partly because they tend to have access to fewer income-earning opportunities. Women manage households and care for family members, which often limits their mobility and increases their vulnerability to sudden weather-related natural disasters. Drought and erratic rainfall force women to work harder to secure food, water and energy for their homes. Girls drop out of school to help their mothers with these tasks. This cycle of deprivation, poverty and inequality undermines the social capital needed to deal effectively with climate change.

If policy-makers and development workers do not take into account gender roles and incorporate women’s voices, then their efforts to halt climate change and help communities adapt are likely to exacerbate existing gender inequalities and not be as effective as they need to be.

"When the rural environment becomes unsustainable, it's the women whose lives are most disrupted," says Professor Wangari Maathai, Nobel laureate in 2004 and founder of the Green Belt Movement, in her foreword to the publication. "If we conserved better, conflict over land, water and forests would be far less. Protecting the global environment is directly related to securing peace."

While climate change affects everyone, it does not affect everyone equally. The simple truth is that the poorest people in industrialized and developing nations suffer the worst effects of the build-up of greenhouse gases majority being the women and girls.

Anti-fracking group wins award | The New Age Online

Anti-fracking group wins award | The New Age Online

Toxicity in lake Nakuru

Birds leave Lake Nakuru as ‘toxicity’ levels rise

Thousands of flamingoes have migrated to Lake Oloidien in Naivasha due to what bird experts’ term as high toxicity levels in their natural home at Lake Nakuru.

Kenya Wildlife Service scientist in charge of Ecological Monitoring Mr Joseph Edebe said the migration might have been triggered by dilution of the lake.

He said fresh water flowing into Lake Nakuru might have diluted the salinity of the water, thereby reducing production of algae that is food for the birds. He said during a census of water birds carried early this month, they noted the number of fresh water birds such as pelicans had increased.

According to estimates from the experts, the number of the birds in the small lake that borders Lake Naivasha stands at 1.5 million. This came as water levels in the lake rose with, hopes that this could act as a tourist attraction site.

Mr David Kilo, an eco-tourism operator and a bird expert, said the birds had moved to the lake due to the high level of algae.

He said algae that turned the colour of the lake’s water to green, gives flamingoes ample food.

He said that the birds were no longer using the lake as a resting place on their way to Lake Natron as has been the norm in the past migrations.

"In the past flamingo flying from Lake Nakuru to Lake Natron briefly stopped here but they have now moved here permanently," he said.

Kilo said that the high toxic levels at Crater Lake and Lake Nakuru had seen the birds opt for the small lake. Another operator Simon Kiarie attributed the rise in water levels in the lake to the conservation of Mau Forest, which acts, as the catchment are to the lake.

He termed the shifting of the birds from Nakuru to Naivasha as a blessing as it came soon after KWS raised its park entry fees.

"Tourists can easily access this part of the lake as there is no fee charge unlike other areas like Lake Nakuru," he said.

GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION

The operators however expressed their concern that white settlers around the lake had fenced off part of the lake making it impossible for locals to access it. "We call on the Government to intervene as all the riparian land has been fenced off by investors," Kiarie appeal.

The lake’s abundance of algae attracts the vast quantity of flamingoes that famously line the shore. Other attractions in the lake include warthogs, baboons and other large mammals.

The park has recently been enlarged partly to provide the sanctuary for the black rhino. This undertaking has necessitated a fence — to keep out poachers rather than to restrict the movement of wildlife

The park marches for 12 km on the southeastern boundary with the Soysambu conservancy.

Conservation Planning for Sea Turtles In Kenya.

Five species of sea turtles are found in Kenya;  the Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) nest and forage in Kenya while the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) use Kenya’s waters as migratory routes and foraging grounds. The cultural and socio-economic values of sea turtles drive illegal harvesting of sea turtles for meat, oil and eggs. Degradation of sea turtle habitats is also a major threat. The most exploited species’ include the green turtle, the olive ridley and the hawksbill. Sea turtles also face the most critical threat from fisheries through incidental capture in set gillnets and trawl nets. These fishing gears cause either drowning through entanglement or sea turtles are opportunistically harvested by the fishermen. Additionally, other threats include loss and degradation of nesting and foraging grounds from coastal developments, pollution from land based sources, marine debris, oil spills, oil and gas exploration, predation of hatchlings and juveniles, diseases and emerging threats related to climate change.

Due to their unique ecology and migratory nature, the myriad of threats sea turtles face has led to drastic global population declines. Two of the species utilizing Kenya’s territorial waters are listed as critically endangered while three are listed as endangered. Effective management and recovery of Kenya’s sea turtle populations can only be achieved through implementation of a national strategy that links into regional and international initiatives to protect nesting beaches and critical foraging habitats from degradation, eliminate illegal harvesting and trade in sea turtles and their products, mitigate fisheries impacts, and enhance collaborative participation of local communities and other stakeholders in conservation.


The Kenya Wildlife Service through its Biodiversity Research and Monitoring Division convened a meeting in November 2007 for representatives of all key stakeholders in sea turtle conservation. It is from this forum, that the Kenya National Sea Turtle Conservation Taskforce was constituted and later endorsed by the Kenya Wildlife Service Board of Trustees. The taskforce was given the responsibility to develop a national sea turtle conservation and management strategy, which would provide a coordinated framework for the conservation of sea turtles in Kenya. The national sea turtle conservation and management strategy has gone through several development stages since November 2008 and finally endorsed at a National Stakeholders’ Workshop held in Mombasa in April 2009.


The strategy is intended to guide efforts in conservation and management of sea turtles and their habitats. The main tools to be utilized towards the realization of this strategy include advocacy, communication, education, public awareness, targeted research and monitoring, and threat mitigation. Ultimately, the wider participation of the local communities and other stakeholders, including scientists, government and non-governmental institutions is to be realized. The strategy builds on ongoing efforts and initiates changes that will add value to sea turtle conservation efforts. The strategy is also aligned to international and regional conservation conventions and agreements. It also contributes towards the realization of the Vision 2030, which recognizes tourism as a major sector towards economic empowerment and to the increasing international value of eco-tourism in relation to species conservation. 
 

THE GREEN GENERATION II

Climate Change

"We have a responsibility to protect the rights of generations, of all species, that cannot speak for themselves today. The global challenge of climate change requires that we ask no less of our leaders, or ourselves." Prof Wangari Maathai

The Green Belt Movement have been planting trees for much longer than climate change has been at the top of the political agenda. However the outcome of Copenhagen leaves the whole world with more work to do, including GBM.

In 2011 we will continue and increase our work at the grassroots to address the impact of climate change, while stepping up our calls for a global deal which safeguards the future of out planet and helps Africa adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Failure of the world leaders at Copenhagen to reach a binding agreement means in 2011 it is down to each and every one of us to step up and take action. Planting a tree can be a first simple step.

Climate change is caused by the emission of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) released from burning fossil fuels and from land use change, particularly the removal of forests which accounts for almost 20% of global emissions (more than the transport industry). The countries that developed first, for example the UK, US and France, have emitted vastly more GHGs then the countries currently called 'developing', such as Kenya, Namibia and Bangladesh.

 

Ironically, scientists say that it is the developing countries that will be hardest hit; African countries in particular. A just response to climate change must therefore include a comprehensive compensation package from the developed countries that have polluted the most to the developing countries whose total historical emissions are very low and are the most affected... Climate change isn't just about the 'environment'. People around the world are suffering the effects of climate change now, and for these people climate change is an issue of justice.

 

The urgency of now

 

Earth's climatic systems are incredibly complex. Despite an increasing intensity of work by scientists around the world details of how a warmer world will impact climate, the facts are elusive. In the face of uncertainly climate scientists have drawn a line in the sand. Consensus is that an average surface temperature rise of the planet by more than 2° Celsius would have catastrophic effects for the biosphere and humanity's place in it.

 

In order to avoid temperature increases of more than 2° Celsius and dangerous runaway climate change we must reduce emissions by something in the region of 80% by 2050. Given population increases over this time this is really the same as saying we must become carbon neutral.

 

Failure to act now will be catastrophic. This means that we are the only generation of humans ever who are able to effectively respond to this challenge. The decisions we make today will have a greater impact on the future of the planet then the decisions made by any previous generation. We have to get it right!

 

If not us, who? If not now, when?

 

The role of forests

 

Ecological systems are key components of the carbon cycle. For example, forests are enormous stores of terrestrial carbon. Removing forests causes GHG emissions and makes the land vulnerable to further degradation. Conversely afforestation sequesters carbon and provides a natural buffer against desertification and other environmental problems associated with changing climates. Planting and protecting forests will be a crucial part of the global response to climate change both in terms of mitigation (actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to enhance sinks aimed at reducing the extent of global warming) and adaptation (initiatives and measures taken to reduce the vulnerability of natural and human systems against actual or expected climate change effects). However, to get this right the peoples living in and around the land to be forested must considered appropriately and involved in the change of land use.

 

REDD

 

REDD stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation. Deforestation accounts for nearly 20% of global annual carbon emissions - greater than the entire transport sector emissions combined. Deforestation is one of the most pressing areas to tackle in the fight against climate change. REDD is a proposed mechanism under the UNFCCC to slow the loss of forests in order to mitigate against climate change, address rural poverty and preserve biodiversity. The concept is a simple one: countries that are willing and able to reduce emissions from deforestation should be financially compensated for doing so.

 

 

Challenges Ahead:

 

How REDD will work in practice is proving controversial, raising complex issues including national sovereignty, human rights, effective measurement, adequate and corruption. Lacking vital safeguards against logging and failing to protect intact natural forests and the rights of indigenous people, who live and depend on the forests. There is a lot of work still to be done to make sure REDD works for the forests and the people who depend on them, rather than for business as usual which includes international logging companies. GBM will work hard in 2011 to constantly remind people that, at the heart of it, REDD is about natural forests and the people who live, and have lived their lives there for thousands of years. It is to future generations that we must be accountable.

 

This is what Wangari Maathai had to say about REDD in 2009:

 

"When I think of REDD what comes to mind is the Congo Basin Forest Ecosystem in Central Africa. It is the second largest tropical forest in the world after the Amazon Basin. The third largest rain forest complex is in South East Asia. Together these three forest ecosystems form a vital green belt around the world.

 

The Congo Basin forest crosses the borders of 11 countries and covers almost 50% of the land mass of Central Africa, sustaining over 50 million people in the region. The Congo ecosystem plays a vital role in stabilizing the global climate and without it the world, and Africa in particular, will not be able to mitigate and adapt to climate change. That is why the world needs REDD.

 

REDD is a unique opportunity for us all to ensure that natural forests remain standing, and continue to serve as carbon sinks and as the "lungs of the world". It would make trees worth more standing than cut.

We must also ensure that:

 

•Natural forests, which sustain livelihoods and provide essential ecological services, are distinguished from commercial plantations, which destroy biodiversity and the capacity to retain water.

 

•REDD includes land-use education and capacity building of local communities - including provision of support - to promote forest conservation. Unsustainable agricultural practices are one of the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. As agricultural land degrades, farmers expand into new areas, often at the expense of forests.

 

•REDD is accessible to local communities. Financial mechanisms must ensure accountability and responsible utilization of resources.

 

We must ensure that REDD policy works in practice and promotes equity, biodiversity and the rights of local communities. It is vital that benefits gained are for the people to whom forest is life. Development plans for the Congo Basin need a solution that firmly puts people, not timber, at its heart. That is why any REDD discussions must allow all stakeholders a seat at the table."

 

GBM's approach to climate change

 

GBM has over 30 years experience rehabilitating degraded lands in Kenya through tree planting and supporting small holder farmers to increase yields and sustainability. This experience is invaluable to the international response to climate change.

 

GBM works with its network of over 4000 community groups across Kenya to respond to environmental problems and improve people's lives. This work is now also significant on a regional and international level because the GBM engagement approach empowers rural poor people to plant trees which soak up damaging co2 from the atmosphere mitigating the effects of climate change and helping adapt through creating buffers and resilient systems to unavoidable climate change.

 

Planting Trees for the 10:10:10 Global Day of Doing

 

On the 10th October 2011 people around the world will be taking part in a Global Day of Doing to protect our planet from climate change. Click here to find out the full details - register to plant a tree, get 10 top planting tips and be inspired by actions taking place around the world.

KWSTI BLOGGER

KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE TRAINING INSTITUTE.

STUDENTS BLOGGER

 

Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute

Environment & Natural Resource Management

haroun.hakeel@gmail.com