Churches Urged to be Part of Mitigating Climate Change Effects

Kajiado, Monday June 19, 2023

KNA by Diana Meneto

Churches have been urged to be part of mitigating climate change effects by growing trees not only in the church compound but also in their respective homes.

Speaking during a tree planting exercise at Baraka Worship Ministries Church in Kitengela, Miss Climate Kenya, Dorcas Naishorua Umaka said that there is a need for churches to advocate for tree planting as part of their mandate.

Naishorua noted that when trees mature they help in absorbing excess greenhouse gases emitted being one of the causes of climate change.

Miss Climate Kenya also remarked that combating climate change will also help in addressing retrogressive cultures, especially among the pastoralist communities.

“Climate change has contributed to the continuation of female genital mutilation and early marriages as when there is drought, the girls are married off in exchange for hay for the livestock which shouldn’t be the case,” said Naishorua.

She also asked environment stakeholders in all 47 counties including community groups, NGOs, schools, churches and farmers to raise tree nurseries and plant trees in their compounds and forests.

Naishorua also led congregants at Free Pentecostal Worship Baraka and Paranae Church in planting trees after the service.

President William Ruto launched a Nationwide Tree Growing and Restoration Campaign in December 2022. The target of the campaign is to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 with each individual requested to plant 30 trees a year amounting to 300 trees per person in 10 years.

Courtesy ; K. N. A