By Boniface Harrison – Executive Director, MuemAction Post
A letter to my comrades in climate action
Dear comrades,
I know that today we will be at different cheerful events, planting trees, making memorable moments, and creating awareness across social media to commemorate Mazingira Day. And that is a good thing. We need these efforts to change how we treat our environment and build a culture where planting and protecting trees become part of our everyday lives. As Prof. Wangari Maathai reminded us, “It’s the little things citizens do. That’s what will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees.”
But comrades, there is something we need to talk about. Do we care more about planting trees than protecting the trees we already have?
Today, we will plant trees with our hands, water them and feel the satisfaction of contributing to a greener, safe and more sustainable future. Somewhere else, power saws will roar, machines will move in, and mature trees that took decades to grow will disappear within hours.
You have heard about Karura Forest in Nairobi, where someone once said that trees were being cut down so that new ones could be planted. In Imenti Forest in Meru, construction of a big house and a golf course are in the offing, and there is the proposed airstrip development in the Mau Forest complex with its associated integrated conservation and livelihood improvement programme. These forests have faced concerns over infrastructure development and potential environmental damage.
Comrades, sometimes I wonder whether we have settled for the easier task of planting trees while avoiding the harder one of protecting existing forests. Or are we simply lying low while cooking something? Do we have a plan beyond planting trees to defend our natural heritage by questioning powerful interests, challenging decisions and speaking up when projects threaten our natural heritage.? I have no doubt in our collective ability to do so because, ultimately, power belongs to the people.
We want development. We need roads, airstrips and other infrastructure. But must development always find a home in our forests when alternative sites with less tree cover could serve the same purpose?
To those in government, I will copy you below this letter because there are a few words I would like you to hear.
As you plan and implement development projects, is it possible to avoid destroying existing forests and mature trees? Can we explore alternative sites, redesign projects and prioritise solutions that allow development to happen without sacrificing our natural heritage? Development should not always mean choosing between progress and the environment. With proper planning and political goodwill, we can build the infrastructure we need while protecting the ecosystems that sustain us.
In fact, let’s see how development can help us regreen degraded land, beautify our environment with colourful gardens, establish green spaces, restore damaged ecosystems and rehabilitate riverbanks instead of destroying the forests and mature trees we already have.
As we celebrate Mazingira Day, let us remember that planting trees is important, but protecting the trees already standing is more urgent. We cannot destroy forests today and expect tomorrow’s seedlings to undo the damage overnight.
Happy Mazingira Day, comrades!
Cc: Those in government
