PHOTO JOURNAL BY NYASAINA KWAMBOKA 

By speaking with and observing Kisii indigenous geologists and miners, I learned about the good, the difficult, the inspiring, and the opportunities for progress. In this photo journal, I share a glimpse of soapstone mining through my eyes, an interdisciplinary lens of nature, sustainability, and economics.

IMPACT REVIEW UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI'S ECO-ADVOCACY SOCIETY 

The Nairobi youth unified on Saturday, March 29th, to carry out three core intentions: walk, speak, and plant the seeds of climate action. 

The theme was "Mobilizing Youth for Climate Action and Policy Advocacy. " Young people, including university students and environmental advocates, gathered at the University of Nairobi, Chiromo Campus, to march for a better and more sustainable future. 

IMPACT REVIEW BY JEREMIAH MUUO KYAMBI

On Monday, March 3rd,2025, a group of young environmentalist policymakers and activists met at Alliance Française, Nairobi, to commemorate the special Professor Wangari Maathai and the African Environmental Day, which sparked a call to action to keep our planet greener and cleaner. This is a reflective impact review by Jeremiah Muuo Kyambi 

CLIMATE MIGRATION & CLIMATE REFUGEES | Abdisalam Ahmed Sheikh

Climate change is a multifaceted crisis with far-reaching social, political, and economic implications. Among the most alarming consequences is the rise of climate-induced displacement, resulting in the emergence of "climate refugees." This paper examines the drivers of climate-induced migration, focusing on environmental degradation, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels. Using recent data from global organizations, including the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE | CHARITY AKINYI

A guy named Luke once commented on a piece of my content: “Climate change measures are a luxury for wealthy people and gentrified Africans like yourself. Why should I care about climate change when billionaires are flying jets and I only use a jiko (portable charcoal burning stove)?”. As the kids say, Luke ate me up. We climate change “warriors” have managed to alienate the person who’ll be first and most affected by the climate crisis from the conversation, and it’s shameful.

PHOTO JOURNAL | NYASAINA KWAMBOKA 

We joined the BroWhoCleans, Nairobi City Council, and Vapor Ministries for a cleanup in Kawangware’s Gatina Ward to confront waste management challenges. Volunteers cleared waterways and vegetation, uncovering deeper issues like limited community involvement and inadequate infrastructure. This photo journal takes us through the challenges of responsibly facilitating a cleanup.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW | PHILIP MBOYAH

Climate change is not confined to national borders, which requires countries to assume obligations to one another. While human rights obligations are traditionally vertical (state-to-individual), combating climate change also requires diagonal obligations (state-to-state).

PROTECTING NATURAL SPACES | COLLABORATION

This collaboration with the Backcountry squatters highlights the shared value of transnational environmental education. This collaboration celebrates the legacy of remarkable women, including Field Marshal Muthoni wa Kirima, who fought alongside the Mau Mau in the 1950s, and Professor Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement, who advocated for the protection of green spaces in the late 1990s. Today, Karura Forest is a living testament to the resilience of both nature and the women who fought to preserve it. 

WATER SCARCITY & PERIOD POVERTY | GRACE KIARIE

Grace Kiarie visited Koija, a remote village in Laikipia County, to gain a perspective on the adversities women and girls endure in the face of the climate crisis. For three days, she saw and encountered how water scarcity has a ruthless impact on the women and young girls in the village. She accompanied them to the 'laga'- a dry riverbed with hidden underground water sources. And further explores the urgent need for active support in combating period poverty and advocating for additional resources for people living in water-scarce areas. 

WASTE MANAGEMENT & POLICY | CECILY WIJENJE

In 2022, Kenya's government enacted the Sustainable Waste Management Act, emphasizing an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model to hold producers accountable for the disposal of their products post-consumer use. Although implementation challenges exist, some counties are making notable progress. Kwale County, in particular, supports sustainable practices and community initiatives, such as the Kwale Recycling Centre (KRC), which actively promotes responsible waste management in the community. 

EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP | COLLABORATION

The Climate Conversations, an educational workshop led by Mviringo Africa, addresses the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on young people by providing a platform for meaningful engagement. Guest speaker Nyasaina Kwamboka led discussions on climate change and environmental justice. The event fostered an open, collaborative environment among 30 fellows.

RENEWABLE ENERGY | NYASAINA KWAMBOKA

This article highlights a successful biogas initiative in rural Kenya, a case study where a farm not only provides for your family but also supplies your household with clean and affordable renewable energy. It shows that biogas presents a versatile, practical, and cost-efficient solution that can significantly enhance the livelihoods of rural households.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS OF ADVOCACY | KWAMBOKA & WIJENJE

In Kenya, June 2024 kicked off with clouds of teargas and thousands of protesters across the country chanting #Rejectthefinancebill 2024.  We covered 3 categories of environmental destruction. Air pollution is caused by tear gas and burning tires. Both have toxic implications for our air, leading to irritating wildlife and disrupting animal behavior.  Litter and waste mismanagement leads to the expectation of sustainable protesting that protects our ecosystems. And lastly, water mismanagement in a water scarce nation.  The environment is ours to protect and sustain; whatever we put into it, we will receive the benefit or burdens of our actions.

CLIMATE ADAPTATION | NYASAINA KWAMBOKA

 “Floods are among the deadliest natural disasters worldwide, but flooding-related deaths aren’t distributed evenly. They most often occur in places lacking weather data and warning systems — most of those places are in the Global South. " Friedrike Otto.  This stark disparity in weather radar coverage underscores a significant issue of inequity in disaster preparedness and response. This article highlights four vital steps to correct this basic necessity in African countries. 

ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY | NYASAINA KWAMBOKA

Indigenous names are more than mere labels; they carry meanings, lessons, and teachings deeply rooted in cultural heritage. This phenomenon extends beyond individuals to iconic landmarks like Lake Mwitanzige, Lake Nyanza, and Mosi-oa Tunya Falls, which were corrupted and transformed to names displaced names like Victoria and Albert by German and British minority rulers to impose their identities, disrupting the native cultural and historical significance held by African people. This article explores the necessity of reclaiming authentic African identities by restoring ancestral knowledge.