Man on the street: Earth Day
With the effects of climate change becoming more manifest, case in point the current disappointing long rains season in the country, the honouring of 22nd of April as Earth Day couldn’t be more significant. We met and chatted with some Kenyans who in little ways pay tribute to ‘earth day every day’ in their day to day activities.
Alela Huss, student, 22
Climate change is a problem. With global warming we have a rise in sea level what with the ice at the polar zones warming up and melting. Most islands are at risk meaning ultimately not only wildlife is in danger but also human life.
Martin Ngochi, Mpesa agent, 26
I use a bicycle to get around. For me it is time saving. If I were to use matatus I would end up getting stranded because my work involves airtime distribution to areas which are pretty much inaccessible via matatu. Fossil fuels are responsible for urban pollution yes, but my major reason for cycling is that it is cheap and convenient.
Kevin Esoso, construction worker, 29
I recycle. Each time I acquire a new plastic bag, I make sure to reuse it as opposed to throwing it immediately after one use. Back home there are people who collect used plastic bottles that they take to recycling companies. Sometimes I give these people the plastic I have in the house.
Alex Mutiso, food vendor, 27
I do not litter. I ensure the waste that I have amassed is picked up by the waste disposal truck. I feel like we could do without plastic bags, the fact that they don’t decompose means they are a threat to the environment. I use them all the time, especially for collecting the refuse but if we were to get rid of them I don’t think there’d be a crisis. We can’t lack a plan B.
Wainaina Wainaina, driver, 22
I would like it if we could stop using fossil fuels but in all honesty, we can’t. We have no choice but to use diesel and petrol to get about. It would be a pretty picture if people could ditch their cars and try alternative transportation means but we see people scramming for fuel guzzling vehicles just to show off.
