Nobel laureate, Prof Wangari Maathai, has cautioned political aspirants against using the environment for personal ends.
She said politicians should not encourage encroachment on forests and wetlands to win votes.
"The long term common good should not be sacrificed for the convenience of short term political gains," she said.
Mr Peter Slinn from the United Kingdom follows proceedings at the close of the 15th Commonwealth Law Conference at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre. Picture by Martin Mukangu
Maathai was speaking at the closure of the 15th Commonwealth Law Conference at Kenyatta International Conference Centre yesterday.
She said Africa should be more wary of climate change since most of its people still depend on natural resources.
Maathai called on African governments to help conservation efforts in the face of increasing climate change.
She said big companies should not be allowed to degrade the environment of poor nations in exchange for jobs.
"It is the responsibility of the Government to protect its citizens. A government not willing to protect the environment is committing its future generations to misery and death," she said.
Maathai said that she would not quit politics since it gave her an opportunity to fight for the environment from Parliament.
"I can do more for the environment from inside instead of complaining from outside," she said.
She thanked the UK Government for donating 50 million pounds towards the protection of the Congo forest for which she is a goodwill ambassador.
Congo forest is second largest in the world after the Amazon.
She said the forest played a crucial role in cleaning the air.
Maathai told the delegates to "I thank every green tree, they encountered, amid applause.
"Do not just walk by when you see a plant, stop and say thank you," she said.
Maathai also called on the Government to make manufacturers of thin plastics pay for degrading the environment.
"The Government has not bothered to make manufacturers of thin plastics bags clean up the environment," she said.
She told the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) to make use of the law that curbs degradation of the environment.
Article adapted from: http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143974519
No comments:
Post a Comment