St. Paul’s University marked World Environment Day Wednesday by planting 1,500 trees at their Limuru campus. The initiative is part of the university’s broader goal to plant 130,000 trees, contributing to the restoration of Kenya’s tree cover.
The university’s Vice Chancellor Rev. Canon Prof. James Kombo while speaking during the exercise said that they are committed to environmental preservation. “We aim to plant about 1,500 trees today. While we are still far from restoring the 30 percent tree cover, we at St. Paul’s University are committed to achieving this goal.
We believe that, together with our supporters and stakeholders, we will reach our target. It is all about commitment to the environment and ensuring proper preservation,” he said. Prof. Kombo further said that they were partnering with the local community, leaders, and schools within the area, but also looking forward to collaborating with other universities to ensure the environment is well taken care of.
Students, staff and invited guests at St. Paul’s University, who participated in a procession to mark World Environment Day.
Alex Gathii, a recipient of the Go Green Lifetime Achievers Award and USAID Champion of Change, spoke about the global and local implications of the tree planting initiative. “To commemorate and celebrate World Environment Day, we want to think globally but act locally. We aim to plant more trees to create more carbon sinks and reduce the greenhouse effect,” he said.
He added that planting trees is an adaptation measure rather than mitigation for climate change and initiative that follow up on COP 28, which took place in Dubai.
“We need to plant more trees to ensure a greener future, clean air, and a well-cared-for environment,” Gathii said.
Prof. Diphus Chemorion, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs said, “We recognize the call to humanity to care for the God-given environment. It is essential for us to live in a clean environment, participate in land restoration, combat desertification, and make the environment beneficial to humanity.”
He also stressed the importance of a green campus saying, “Our university is already green, but we aim to plant more trees because we understand the value of a healthy environment. As a university, we need an environment, where people can relax and reflect. Globally, we are contributing to the fight against climate change.”
During the event matters of environmental justice were addressed with Prof. Chemorion saying Kenyans should address the justice issues surrounding the resettlement of people living on degraded land.
Staff members, religious leaders and some invited guests planting trees at St. Paul’s University.
“These individuals are suffering the consequences of global industrialization, which negatively impacts the environment and leads to climate change. Thus, those being resettled on marginalized land must be treated fairly, as they are enduring consequences not of their own making,” he added.
John Muli Charles, a student at St. Paul’s University, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative by the campus to plant trees.
“Today, it is a joy to us that this exercise continues each day. We, as students of St. Paul’s University, would love to impact the lives of people positively and ensure both the local and surrounding communities have a good and conducive environment for their day-to-day activities,” he said.
World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5, aimed at encouraging awareness and action for the protection of the environment. It is supported by many non-governmental organizations, businesses, government entities and represents the primary United Nations outreach day supporting the environment.
This year, the theme of World Environment Day was Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience. According to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, up to 40 per cent of the planet’s land is degraded, directly affecting half of the world’s population.