Tragedy of the Commons

by Mary Appophia

 

The tragedy of the commons refers to a dilemma that arises when many people acting individually for their own self interest unknowingly deplete a common resource, and the loss eventually has to be shared by the entire community/ everyone.

The ‘commons’ refers to the common resource which belongs to the society. The resource is usually unregulated and it belongs to the entire group, as a result, everyone has an equal right to use it.  Resources under risk include forests, oceans, fish, environment, non-renewable resources etc.

For instance everyone is free to visit Indian Ocean to satisfy their own interests_ swimming, sunbathing, fishing etc. Common consequences could be that some people may dump papers and waste in the water, while fishermen acting individually may over fish. The end result is that the water becomes polluted and over fishing occurs, and everyone else has to share in the consequences.

Another example is in car ownership. Everyone has the right to own a car, eventually with more people owning personal cars, then there is increased environmental and social problems, including carbon emissions, pollution, accidents, etc.

In the 1800’s when Europe used communal land ownership system, herders were allowed to stock animals. If one individual felt a need to include more animals, then they were free to do so. With time some people felt the need to add more animals for increased production. The land in effect became more congested since livestock were increasing and the land area remaining the same. Consequently overgrazing occurred, leading to land degradation, soil erosion and other negative environmental effects. Whereas one farmer enjoyed the increased yields, the entire community was sharing in the depletion of the common.  

Garrett Hardin in his article published in 1968 titled ‘The tragedy of the Commons’ mentions some factors that contribute to ‘The tragedy of the Commons’. These include systems that advocate for communal ownership of property and reduce the chances of the resource being privatized. When something does not belong to someone in particular chances of it being misused are on the rise. Individuals acting on rational self-interest according to Hardin also contribute to the tragedy of the commons. Because if all members in a group used common resources for their own gain and with no regard for others, all resources would still eventually be depleted. Increased human population, poverty, pollution, are just other examples that lead to ‘The tragedy of the commons’.

The tragedy of the commons has however faced some rejections. Some scholars claim that privatizing resources or putting them under international regulation as a way of reducing their depletion, may put them even at a higher risk since most international organizations act selfishly. Also, they state that resources are better placed in the hands of the community, arguing that most of the best managed resources are managed by the community itself.

Whereas this might be true, we have seen situations where the community unknowingly destroys the resource while trying to improve their lifestyle.

This tragedy though needs not occur. Regulations through laws and policies could be used to manage the resource, including good implementation of those laws/policies.

A good law such as one controlling the type of fishing nets that could be used to prevent fishing of small fishes and other small sea animals.

Education would also play a vital role in ensuring people are aware of their consequences. Traveling in a matatu/ bus, we often see an individual throw plastic bottles/ plastic papers out the window. Another matatu passes, and someone else does the same. With time, we have so many plastic papers and bottles lying along roadsides. In the end, the commons which in this case is the environment is destroyed.

Individuals who share a common resource could also work hand in hand to protect it, for their mutual benefit.

Do you have examples from your local community where tragedy of commons has occurred, or some solutions? Feel free to share :)

Barriers of Change

                                                                                                                                -by Ann Mukami

Addressing climate change is one of the most pressing tasks facing our planet and its inhabitants today. Climate Scientists and researchers have been at work, unearthing new information and solutions to cope and curb the menace.

One would think that now that there is so much information on climate change, more people are taking action to stop the problem. 

Unfortunately that’s not the case! Research has shown that despite the fact that more people now know about climate change and its significant threat to human well-being, this has not translated to equivalent behavioral changes to stop it. 

Why? 

This is due to existence of psychological barriers that inhibit individuals from making choices and decisions that would help in prevention, mitigation and adaptation of climate change.  These barriers stem from our beliefs, attitudes, ideologies and our social interactions.

 

Which are these barriers?  

a. Distance  
  
The issue of climate change seems a distance issue for most of us. This is in a number of ways. 

First, it feels distance in terms of geographical location, in that some of these impacts of climate change; extreme droughts, floods, fires, rising sea levels, melting of ice and glaciers, are happening to countries that we may have never heard about or even visited. 

Therefore it becomes difficult to act because there is the feeling that the problem is happening somewhere else. 

In addition, it feels distant in terms of responsibility, that many citizens may think that it’s the responsibility of their governments to solely take action and stop climate change so they end up not doing something about it.  Forgetting that everyone has a role to play and in our small ways, we can make a difference. 

It also feels distance in terms of time. This is because some of the major impacts of climate change are expected to take place in the future, may be coming century or even beyond. So one may think that he/she will not be there when these impacts are happening so there is no need to take action and also the feeling of uncertainty crops in, in that they are not even sure these impacts will take place( at least  for climate change skeptics)

b. Doom 

Often, the information on climate change has been presented in dramatic videos and emotionally draining messages that only show the devastating losses and negative impacts. 

These does not at all encourage people to take action, this is because it creates a feeling of fear and helplessness that the problem is so big and there is nothing we can do about it, so let’s wait for the dooms day!   

Therefore, there is need to shift from this kind of approach and focus more on existing practical solutions that can be done and how implementing them will enhance our lives and promote growth in the society.

c. Dissonance 

This refers to a situation involving conflicting attitudes, beliefs, ideas or behaviors. 

People tend to keep consistency in their beliefs and perceptions. So when for instance we are confronted with information that says contrary to our believes or behaviors, there is usually discomfort or some kind of mental stress. 

Hence to offset this, we tend to avoid the situation and give all the excuses we can think of, reason? We most often don’t want change and we always want to satisfy the inner urge of maintaining our original ideas or perceptions.  

For example, if one knows that continuous emissions of CO2 in the atmosphere cause greenhouse effect that consequently leads to global warming and it conflicts with what he or she does in real life, example drives or flies a lot, then dissonance sets in.

Therefore in order to create consistency, it will be easier to choose to avoid the topic of climate change and stay business as usual because it will make one feel better about oneself and how one lives. Dissonance therefore impedes people from making behavior changes to stop climate change.

d. Denial
  

Despite international scientific consensus and glaring evidence that climate change is happening around the world, some people still deny that it exists or that humans are causing it. 

Denial arises due to different world views or ideologies that individuals hold. 

Denial to acknowledge the facts on climate change eliminates the feeling of guilt; that we are contributing to climate change, which therefore leads to content and delay in taking action on climate change. 

e. Identity
  

Individuals tend to accommodate information that affirms their values and beliefs that define their identity. 

For instance, it is difficult for oil producing nations to suddenly stop oil extraction because it’s contributing to climate change. This is because, it’s   their identity and oil production majorly drives their economies and stopping production means, at least to them, detrimental economic implications, a risk they are not willing to take! 

Hence the need to maintain Identity inhibits climate change action. 

These barriers are interrelated but yet distinct. It’s important for climate change activists and other climate change communicators to be aware of these defenses when delivering their information so as to avoid triggering them. This will encourage positivity and more action to address climate change.

                                                                                                     

Of Climate Change.....

Climate Change; "Greatest Challenge of our Time*"_ (Copenhagen Accord, March,2010)

We still have to think of more solutions and new ways of dealing with this problem......

See, the climate change we are dealing with now, isn’t the same as was at the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) or at the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. Populations have grown, costs of living gone up, and more challenges emerged especially in a lot of developing countries. It is 2015 and we cannot just sit in round tables and talk of climate change in isolation.

 It is climate change and….. climate change and “I am hungry”, climate change and “I do not understand these strange new pests and insects on my farm”, climate change and “I have to do whatever it takes to take myself to the hospital, climate change and “can I afford to send my child to school” And steadily developing countries are rising to become huge contributors to a lot of environmental problems.

And one cannot solely put the blame on people because; a lot of the actions leading to environmental damage are done unconsciously. One needs to survive_ fetch firewood for cooking, cut down some trees to get some more land to grow food/put up shelters to live in etc.….

And this should tell our governments, policy makers and all engaged in environmental protection and the fight against climate change that we still need to go back to the drawing board. Develop projects that address people’s basic needs; improve livelihoods, bring alternative sources of energy to the communities, implement environmental laws, improve our judicial systems, reduce the gaps between rich and poor etc.And this is so especially in developing countries.

Simply put, in 2015, climate change is intertwined with so many other issues affecting the society_ Be it food security, judicial system, security, on and on…. 

What actions and structures are our governments setting in place to shelter people from the effects of climate change? Whether improving early warning systems, modernizing and equipping our meteorological department, reducing costs of living, easing access to healthcare ? 

Or are our governments too focused on empty politics, and corruption? , for heaven’s sake its 2015 anyone who is corrupt or incites tribal clashes, or signs deals that are wrong should go to some deserted island. Because clearly, they seem not understand or are too self-focused to see the challenges in our societies. 

And these same challenges, will eventually lead to the destruction of our environment, worsening the already being felt effects of climate change. 

-          Mary Appophia

My EXCHANGE PROJECT EXPERIENCES"

“The fantastic four” drinking coconut water in Mombasa!

 Lonely planet, trip advisor, media, friends, YouTube. Nothing ever prepares you well enough for an exchange project – except from the experience itself. From that unforgettable call informing one they’ve made it to be part of the exchange team, to the preparation phase, on and on to the final day. Every moment and every day is an experience, whether at one’s home country or away.
Mary Appophia
Exchange participant


The exchange project acquaints one to new experiences, lessons and skills that are essential to life, such as self-reliance, taking initiative, swimming in winter under 10 degree Celsius, open mind-ness, diversity appreciation, dancing to different music, cooking new types of food – like the famous Norwegian TACO! Norwegians love Taco, and in most homes, its Taco Fridays every Friday.

But I won’t lie that the couple months’ exchange project might be tough on you, but they’ll also give you all the life skills you need.  As fundamental as some are, all skills are simply not gained, and well for me the not-gained skill is the art of packing. Often we’ve been travelling for week, and one would assume with so much travel I’ve become really good at selecting essentials, and carrying just enough. But no, I don’t think I’ll ever learn. Good that I’m not the only one with this not-gained skill.

August 21st, the year is 2014, Ann and I got our first plane ride, and well for me, the first time at the airport. Destination? Oslo, Norway. The air trip was as exciting as we’d expected, but for one little disappointing factor, Ann’s ears did not “pop out” as she’d pictured (Sorry Ann, I know I promised not to tell anyone about that).

Sweet Summer ended, beautiful autumn came, and let’s say for Ann and I the “not so friendly winter” finally arrived. But it was exciting experiencing the different seasons, skating in the snow, visiting the famous ski jump. Norway was simply beautiful for us, with new experiences each day, beautiful nature, the trains and train-time conscious lessons…

My awe moment must’ve been seeing the northern lights. And I remember thinking, “that they are actually real”. I always thought it was something people said about some lights in the sky… It was wonderful actually seeing them in real life!

And the most important part was creating climate change awareness in schools, visiting Grønn Ungdoms local groups, learning new cultures, sharing experiences, as well as meeting new people. We had a lot of fun, and gained a huge amount of experience on talking in front of an audience on our tours!

In the course of visiting schools one aspect that stood out, was climate change is quite a distant subject to most students. And that is true for most people; it can sound like a huge subject that a mere individual has no control over. But something we have learnt is that a focus on how your audience can contribute in stopping, or reducing, the impacts of climate change, always brings the topic closer home. People want to feel that they can do something and contribute to the solution.

Boom! January 2015 came, and it was Guris and Fridas turn to travel the 7000km. Destination?  +254, Land of lions, Giraffes, Gazelles, Buffalos, Zebras and beautiful handcraft. (That was just some brief marketing on Kenya as a great tourist destination.)

In Kenya we have been doing some of the same things as in Norway: Visiting schools in Western/Coastal/Nairobi Kenya. We’ve realized that students in the different parts know quite a lot on climate change. And most solutions that students gave, focused quite a lot on adaptation and mitigation. Many parts of the country are already feeling the effects of climate change and it is important that people are aware of how to cope with this changes.

In addition, we have been visiting KYG local groups. We have learnt quite a lot on what they are doing as well identified challenges/ areas that could be improved more.  This will guide our last phase on areas to develop proposals on.

And of course I have to mention food, and It has been fun eating food from the different parts of the country. From Ugali+chicken in Western Kenya, Ugali+fish in Nyanza, Pilau, Madafu in the coast, and the most important: CHAPATI <3 p="">
In the last one month, focus shifts to strengthening the organization with a focus on improving KYG programme areas, developing proposals as well as compiling the final project products such as the video and the report.

Now there is less than two weeks left of this 8 month adventure. It has been fun, instructive and exciting, as well as challenging, tough and sometimes stressful. I have learnt so much; about ways of fighting climate change, cultures (and the clashes that might occur), organisational work and things I didn’t know about my self. This has been an experience that I will carry for the rest of my life, and I want to encourage you to apply for an exchange program if you ever get the chance!

EXCHANGE PROJECT:

DEVELOPING VS. DEVELOPED. NEED FOR A FRESH VIEW?

We are used to looking at the industrialized countries as developed and the developing countries as slow and far behind. But what does it really mean to be «developed»?

By Frida Jasmin Sende                                                                                                                                 Young Greens of Norway

The industrialized countries are the ones who have contributed the most to global warming historically. But generally the most severe effects of climate change are not happening there. The developing countries are the ones who, in most cases, have to face the effects of global warming first, yet they have just started contributing to it themselves.

Obviously, a lot of good things have come out of industrialization and development, and some countries are of course more “developed” than others in many ways. They are also more capable of coping with the changes in climate.

I´m wondering what Mother Earth would say. What is a developed country really, from her perspective?

Maybe we need to rethink our ideas, and question ourselves: Is it right to call a country that contributes to the destruction of the planet, developed?

At this time in history I would suggest that all countries are developing countries. The industrialized countries has to develop once again, find new ways of living, new solutions that are sustainable in the long run, and create new green jobs that we have not seen before. There is a whole shift in society that has to happen.

The ”developing countries” on the other hand has a huge opportunity to learn from the ”developed countries’” mistakes, and develop in a sustainable, modern way from the start. They don´t have to spend decades creating a fossil fuelled economy that is doomed to die. They have the possibility to catch up, and lead the way into a new and renewable future!

When we talk of stages of development of nations and communities, we should take into consideration how sustainable the lifestyle and ecological footprint of their inhabitants are, and to what extent they contribute to a healthy environment and sustained life – locally and nationally, as well as globally.

I suggest that we need a new definition of what it means to be a developed country. In a developed country, the “eco” in “economy” mirrors the interdependence between ecology and economy, and the politicians and bankers of such a country recognize that the wealth of the nation is lessened by predator extractivism, pollution and climate disruption. In a developed country the economy is brought in line with nature, and does not have to deplete its resources to function.
In a developed country, no one is enslaved by the economy’s uninhibited need to grow, for one has tamed the economy, and it no longer takes the shape of a towering tidal wave on a collision course with the planet, but has become a circle – a circle of life, even; functioning without mankind having to exploit resources faster than nature can renew them, and without dumping more waste than our ecosystem can handle or absorb.

It is a country that makes sure that what we do today benefits the well being of all beings, and makes sure that the future generations have a healthy environment to live in as well. It is a country that does not harm the environment, but takes care of it. It is a country with modern and sustainable energy solutions and thousands of green jobs!

This definition leaves us with very few (if any) completely developed countries in the world today. Time to get to work, and start developing!

EXCHANGE PROJECT #Norwegian Young Greens and Kenya Young Greens#

Start date: 22nd August 2014 to 15th July 2015

Frida, Mary, Ann and Guri.

Finally, the project that we have been looking forward to is starting for real! The exchange project, about climate justice, between Kenya Young Greens (KYG) and Young Greens of Norway (YGN),“Same Destination, Different Roads”, is something we have been planning for a long time.

We have attended a ten day long preparation course with Fredskorpset and the LNU (Norges barne- og ungdomsorganisasjoner, http://www.lnu.no/no/). We have gotten to know each other better, started exchanging ideas and have recieved some good advices to bring with us on this eight month long journey. We will spend the next four months here in Norway, and hopefully we will manage to visit all the counties during this period, or at least as many as possible. In January we will go to Kenya to continue our project there until May. The details around what we are going to do will gradually take form, but what we do know is that this is going to be a great project that hopefully will spread a lot of joy and inspiration to many people! We will be posting information, pictures and videos on our new blog at http://www.gronnungdom.no/internasjonal/category/kenya-exchange/, and at Internasjonalt Utvalg’s facebook page. Stay tuned!

So, who are the participants?

Mary Appophia
I was born in Kenya and have lived here since. About myself I would say, I am simply me; loves listening to different types of music and experiencing different cultures. I joined Kenya Young Greens in 2013 as an intern. Motivated by what they do I have been active within the organization ever since. I believe this exchange is an opportunity to learn, share, as well as experience a different culture.


Ann Mukami
I was born, raised and educated in Kenya. I finished my undergraduate studies in April 2013 and graduated in December the same year. I pursued Bachelor of Environmental studies with a major in resource conservation. I have worked for the Kenya Young Greens (KYG) for one year. Through my involvement in various activities and projects with the KYG, I have broadened my interests to include not only environmental conservation and sustainability, but also to include youth development issues. In addition, I also have passion for fostering women empowerment especially those in the grassroot areas. Having come from a village where most women are unemployment and relatively low education levels, I am motivated to make a difference in their lives. During my free time, I enjoy travelling, watching movies and singing. I am excited to be part of this exchange program as it will give me an opportunity to learn and network with other youths.  

 

Guri Barka Martins
I’m half Nigerian and half Norwegian, but I grew up in a small town called Jørpeland in Rogaland, Norway. This spring I finished my last year in upper secondary and I’m planning to go to England next year to study Sociology. I have been a member of YGN for about 1,5 years now, leading YGN Rogaland – one of the local groups. I think my biggest passion is natural resources and how we use them.  I’m looking forward to learn more about how our use of fossil resources affects the climate in different parts of the world, as well as home in Norway. Also I’m really engaged in animal welfare. I hope the exchange will give the two organizations new perspectives on how to fight climate change, as well as new views on organizational culture.

Frida Jasmin Sende
I come from Verdal but have lived in Oslo for about seven years now. I have studied classical music for some years (cello), and I have a bachelor-degree in acupuncture. I love music, dancing and other forms of creative activities, and I’m quite enthusiastic about health in a broad sense. I became a member of the YGN in August 2013, and I find it extremely important to find ways of making Norwegians more aware of the environmental challenges we face now. I hope that this project can attribute in helping young people know that they can make a difference. I’m really glad I have this opportunity to learn more, get to know new people and a different culture as well!

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: KENYA-NORWAY EXCHANGE

Would you like to participate in the eight month exchange program “Same Destination, Different Roads – An exchange for cooperation on environment and politics” between Young Greens in Norway and Kenya Young Greens? Four participants will be elected, two from Kenyan Young Greens (KYG) and two from Young Greens of Norway (YGN). All members of KYG and YGN between the age of 18 and 27 are welcome to apply today! The call for applications is open until Sunday 6 April. Application form for Kenya Young Greens: http://goo.gl/0rJF7q Application form for Young Greens of Norway: http://goo.gl/VZFrQC Application form for bad internet connections: Application Form: Offline The exchange is to start in August 2014 when the participants from Kenya arrive in Norway. They will work under the guidance of Young Greens of Norway until December 2014. The program will continue for another four months, January to May 2015, under guidance of Kenya Young Greens. During the exchange, the participants will work full-time for the host organisation, both with work planned by the project coordinators and with projects as agreed within the project overall goal and objectives. The purpose of the exchange is to build bridges of friendship and understanding among the young greens of the world. The participants will have four months to get to know their host country’s culture, political and social environment whilst being ambassadors of the green vision, raising awareness about green ideology and the need to shift our society towards sustainability, justice and equality. The theme of the exchange is Climate Justice; seeing climate change as an ethical question where the North and the South have different burdens and responsibilities. The exchange program will give young greens of Norway and Kenya an unique opportunity to get to know people from another culture, share experiences and promote international understanding. This will in turn give a strong foundation for cooperation within the global green movement and the promotion of sustainable development and peace. During the exchange they will work full-time for the hosting organization. The participants will have some work tasks defined by the host organisations but will also be left free to run their own projects. The call for applications is open until Sunday 6 April. Application form for Kenya Young Greens: http://goo.gl/0rJF7q Application form for Young Greens of Norway: http://goo.gl/VZFrQC Application form for bad internet connections: Application Form: Offline Attached: Project description short Please don’t hesitate to contact the project coordinators if you have questions about the exchange program or the application process. Yours sincerely, Ann Bulimu Kenya Young Greens Telephone: (+25) 4735 71 6386 / 4722 16 7944 E-mail: bulimuann@gmail.com http://www.kenyayounggreens.org/ Marie Storli Young Greens of Norway Telephone: (+47) 977 34543 E-mail: mariestorli@gmail.com http://www.gronnungdom.no/ Publisert: 26. mars 2014

Eight (8)Month Exchange program between Kenya Young Greens and Young Greens Norway

http://www.gronnungdom.no/internasjonal/call-for-applications-kenya-norway-exchange/

Any country can reach high shares of wind, solar power cost-effectively, study shows

Transformation of power systems is necessary to guarantee flexibility over long term, but this will be more difficult in some markets than in others

26 February 2014

Wind power and solar photovoltaics (PV) are crucial to meeting future energy needs while decarbonising the power sector. Deployment of both technologies has expanded rapidly in recent years – one of the few bright spots in an otherwise-bleak picture of clean energy progress – and IEA scenarios indicate that this trend will continue for decades. However, the inherent variability of wind power and solar PV is raising concerns: Can power systems remain reliable and cost-effective while supporting high shares of variable renewable energy (VRE)? And if so, how? 

A landmark study released today by the International Energy Agency addresses these concerns and confirms that integrating high shares – i.e., 30 percent of annual electricity production or more – of wind and solar PV in power systems can come at little additional cost in the long term. However, costs depend on how flexible the system currently is and what strategy is adopted to develop system flexibility over the long term. Managing this transition will be more difficult for some countries or power systems than others, the study says.

“Integrating high shares of variable renewables is really about transforming our power systems,” IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven said as she launched The Power of Transformation - Wind, Sun and the Economics of Flexible Power Systems, the latest in a series of IEA reports shedding light on the challenges and opportunities of integrating VRE into power systems globally.

“This new IEA analysis calls for a change of perspective,” she explained. “In the classical approach, variable renewables are added to an existing system without considering all available options for adapting it as a whole. This approach misses the point. Integration is not simply about adding wind and solar on top of ‘business as usual’. We need to transform the system as a whole to do this cost-effectively.”

Currently, wind and solar PV account for just about 3 percent of world electricity generation, but a few countries already feature very high shares: In Italy, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and Denmark, wind and solar PV accounted respectively from around 10 to more than 30 percent of electricity generation in 2012 on an annual basis.

The report says that for any country, integrating the first 5-10 percent of VRE generation poses no technical or economic challenges at all, provided that three conditions are met: uncontrolled local “hot spots” of VRE deployment must be avoided, VRE must contribute to stabilising the grid when needed, and VRE forecasts must be used effectively. These lower levels of integration are possible within existing systems because the same flexible resources that power systems already use to cope with variability of demand can be put to work to help integrate variability from wind and solar. Such resources can be found in the form of flexible power plants, grid infrastructure, storage and demand-side response.

Going beyond the first few percent to reach shares of more than 30 percent will require a transformation of the system, however. This transformation has three main requirements: deploying variable renewables in a system-friendly way using state-of-the art technology, improving the day-to-day operation of power systems and markets, and finally investing in additional flexible resources.

The challenges of such transformation depend on whether a power system is “stable,” meaning no significant investments are needed to meet demand in the short term, or “dynamic” which requires significant investments short-term, to meet growing power demand or replace old assets.

The publication helps to clarify the very different perception of wind and solar around the globe. In stable systems, such as those in Europe, the existing asset base will help to provide sufficient flexibility to increase VRE generation further. However, in the absence of demand growth, increasing VRE generation in stable systems inevitably comes at the detriment of incumbent generators and puts the system as a whole under economic stress. This outcome is based on fundamental economics; market effects are thus not only a consequence of variability. The transformation challenge in stable systems is twofold: scaling up the new, flexible system while scaling down the inflexible part of the old.

Governments with stable systems face tough policy questions about how to handle the distributional effects, in particular if other power plants need to be retired before the end of their lifetimes and, if so, who will pay for stranded assets. Meeting these challenges will only be possible through a collaborative effort by policy makers and the industry. In any case, “these surmountable challenges should not let us lose sight of the benefits renewables can bring for energy security and fighting dangerous climate change. If OECD countries want to maintain their position as front runners in this industry, they will need to tackle these questions head-on,” Ms. Van der Hoeven said.

By contrast, in “dynamic” power systems such as in India, China, Brazil and other emerging economies, wind power and solar PV can be cost-effective solutions to meet incremental demand. VRE grid integration can – and must – be a priority from the onset. With proper investments, a flexible system can be built from the very start, in parallel with the deployment of variable renewables. “Emerging economies really have an opportunity here. They can leap-frog to a 21^st-century power system – and they should reap the benefits,” the IEA Executive Director concluded.

2014 WANGARI MAATHAI DAY AND AFRICA ENVIRONMENTAL DAY

Date and time: 

Thu, 2014-01-30 08:37

Share: Facebook Twitter Google Plus Yahoo LinkedIn Digg Delicious

Introduction

During the 2012 Session of the General Assembly of the African Union, the Assembly decided to recognize Prof Wangari Maathai’s numerous achievements in her capacity as the first Presiding Officer of the African Union’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU –ECOSOCC), African Union Peace Ambassador, Founder of the Green Belt Movement, Goodwill Ambassador to the Congo Basin Forest Initiative, UN Peace Messenger for Environment and Climate, and UNEP Champion of the Earth. In so doing they designated 3 March as Wangari Maathai Day to be observed in conjunction with Africa Environment Day, each year beginning in 2012. The Wangari Maathai Institute, the Green Belt Movement and the United Nations Environmental Program have planned to celebrate this day on 3^rd March 2014. The theme of the day will be the role of youth and higher education in securing our common future.

Further, the UN General Assembly has recently proclaimed 3 March as World Wildlife Day, to celebrate and raise awareness of the world's wild fauna and flora. In so doing, the UN General Assembly reaffirmed the intrinsic value of wildlife and its various contributions, including ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic, to sustainable development and human well-being, and recognized the important role the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) plays in ensuring that international trade does not threaten the survival of the species.

The 2014 Wangari Maathai Day theme is drawn from Wangari Maathai’s 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Lecture:

“Today we are faced with a challenge that calls for a shift in our thinking, so that humanity stops threatening its life-support system. We are called to assist the Earth to heal her wounds and in the process heal our own – indeed, to embrace the whole creation in all its diversity, beauty and wonder. This will happen if we see the need to revive our sense of belonging to a larger family of life, with which we have shared our evolutionary process. In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other. That time is now.

I would like to call on young people to commit themselves to activities that contribute toward achieving their long-term dreams. They have the energy and creativity to shape a sustainable future. To the young people I say, you are a gift to your communities and indeed the world. You are our hope and our future.”  

The 2014 Wangari Maathai Day seeks to promote Environmental Education and Community empowerment amongst the Youth and Institutions of higher education; by re-affirming the importance of all levels of education and training towards sustainable development in Kenya and the continent of Africa.

Expiry Date: 

Sun, 2017-12-31 08:37

Contact Person: 

Prof. S.G. Kiama

Should we worry if Africa’s farmers are getting older?

By Jim Sumberg on Jun 04 in Hot topic 1 Comment

A ‘fact’ that is commonly used to support the case for doing something about young rural Africans’ apparent lack of interest in agriculture is that ‘the average age of farmers in Africa is increasing’. An aging population of farmers is seen to be undesirable, with the implication being that if nothing is done the agricultural sector will slowly crumble as the remaining farmers progressively work themselves into the grave.
Thus, according to some commentators, an aging farm population should be a wake-up call for policy makers: inaction risks increasing food insecurity, rural poverty, burgeoning urban slums and economic decline. Others see an aging farm population as a sign of a lost opportunity to bring young people into the sector and benefit from their energy and greater openness to innovation.
But these claims, and the evidence on which they are based, need to be looked at more closely.
In African policy debates it is often assumed that rejection of agriculture by rural young people – and their mass migration to urban areas – is the primary cause of the aging farm population. It is further assumed that among rural young people there is lack of awareness of the actual and potential opportunities offered by agriculture, and that they lack necessary skills and access to key productive resources. Another long-standing assumption is that young people are put off by hard, manual labour that is synonymous with much smallholder farming – the ‘primitive hoe’ much derided in the gender and development literature. These assumptions lead to policies and programmes that seek to promote ‘farming as a business’ through awareness raising, business training, credit provision, mechanisation and help to access other resources such as land.
All this is interesting. But what is the real significance of such claims about an ageing farm population in Africa? What is their basis and their policy relevance, and what kinds of action should they engender?
There are some good reasons for caution. First there is the problem of the generally poor quality of official statistics, and especially demographic data, in much of Africa. (For an excellent new book on this important subject see the 2012 book Poor Numbers: How We Are Misled by African Development Statistics and What to Do about It by Morten Jerven.)
Secondly, and more particularly: how is the category ‘farmer’ defined? Who is a farmer? Is the definition based on full-time, part-time and/or occasional engagement? Does it include those who farm on their own account as well as those who work as farm labour; those who ‘own’ land but do not work it; and/or those who work land they do not ‘own’? Does it include all individuals within a single household who have some involvement with their own or others’ farming? Is it the same definition that was used previously (as the claim that the farm population is aging is about change over time)? Without being explicit about how the category is defined and how the data were collected and analysed, any claim that a population of farmers is aging must remain highly suspect.
Demographic trends in rural Africa reflect a complex set of factors extending far beyond the stereotype of a one way, once-and-for-all movement of work-shy young people to urban areas. For example:

• changes in fertility and mortality rates and their effects on population age structure

• new understanding about the rates of urbanisation in Africa and the role of often complex patterns of migration in this process

• the historical and continuing effects of HIV/AIDS

• the movement of retired civil servants to rural areas where they invest in agriculture.

The effects of factors such as these will not be uniform over time or space: any analysis of the relationship between rural demography and agriculture must surely take account of climate, the quality of natural resources, infrastructure and market accessibility.
Are farmers aging equally rapidly in irrigated and dryland areas; in areas with intensive cash crops and areas without; in areas with contract farming and areas without; in areas of high agricultural potential and areas of low agricultural potential? If not, the common suite of policy responses referred to above become even more problematic.
Let’s assume for a moment that something solid underpins the dominant narrative that: (1) farm populations in Africa are indeed aging, (2) a major cause of this is that rural young people are turning their backs on agriculture and (3) an aging farm population is detrimental to society as a whole.
In other situations, observations such as these would lead to questions (and research) about barriers to entry (i.e. the ‘new entrants’ problem that features so prominently in UK agricultural policy discourse); about incentives to undertake the required training and the relevance and quality of these programmes; about remuneration and career progression possibilities; and ultimately about the broader structure of the industry or sector. To date, though, there has been little analysis along these lines for African smallholder agriculture.
Any such analysis must surely take into account the trends and developments that African agriculture has witnessed over the last two decades – from the rise of export horticulture,  the introduction of some GM crops, and continuing ‘rural livelihood diversification’, to the recent wave of large-scale land deals. Other factors such as young people’s changing aspirations and expectations and widening access to ICTs, such as mobile phones and the internet, would also need to be considered.
But first and foremost there is a need for vision: what kind of agrifood sector will provide work opportunities for young people (and others) that allow real incomes and capabilities to be enhanced, and at the same time address social equity and exclusion issues? This is the question that policy makers and development professionals – whether they start with a focus on young people or on agriculture – and citizens more broadly (women and men, rural and urban, producers and consumers, young and old) urgently need to address.

By ERIC

LUNGAI VIHIGA COUNTY, KENYA: Vihiga Members of the County Assembly want the House’s interim Clerk Josphat Musambayi shown the door. Led by Majority Leader Andrew Ahuga, the MCAs said they were dissatisfied with the way the clerk was running the affairs of the assembly even as Musambayi defended himself against incompetency claims. “We are lagging behind because of the way the county assembly conducts its affairs thanks largely to the interim clerk’s incompetence. We want him sacked and someone who is competent can help us move forward,” said Mr Ahuga, who is also the North Maragoli Ward Representative. The MCAs were addressing journalists in the assembly hall after the Speaker, Daniel Chitwa, adjourned the sittings for lack of a quorum, as the Leader of Majority sought to move a motion to impeach the clerk. Ahuga noted that the clerk had caused confusion in the House by contradicting motions that are passed by the members.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/thecounties/article/2000099790/vihiga-mcas-want-clerk-shown-the-door-over-incompetence

“The refurbishing of the county assembly is taking place without proper planning and millions of shillings are disappearing into individual pockets,” the aggrieved Ahuga said. But Musambayi, in a separate interview, blamed the stand-off with MCAs on what he termed miscommunication. “I am currently organising a meeting of all MCAs in Eldoret where we can thrash out various issues,” said Musambayi, who declined to respond to the claims of incompetence. Abdicating duties The MCAs also expressed anger over the delay in constituting a public service board. Majority Chief Whip Abdalla Chogo said the clerk has been abdicating his duties, which had paralysed the assembly’s operations.“We cannot force someone to work for us when his interests are lying somewhere else. We do not have proper structures in the assembly eight months down the line because of the clerk,” he said.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/thecounties/article/2000099790/vihiga-mcas-want-clerk-shown-the-door-over-incompetence