kenya
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Kenyan farmer leads climate change denial movement
Kenyan farmer Jusper Machogu has gained notoriety online for his stance against man-made climate change, attracting donations and support from Western fossil fuel advocates.
In short:
- Jusper Machogu, a 29-year-old Kenyan farmer, has gained a large online following by promoting climate change denial and fossil fuel use in Africa.
- Despite receiving donations from Western fossil fuel interests, Machogu claims his views are independently formed.
- Climate experts warn that Machogu's misinformation could undermine climate action in Africa, a continent highly vulnerable to climate impacts.
Key quote:
“Because we still have low climate literacy levels in Africa and in Kenya, and if that conspiracy theory spreads to communities or to people, it could just really undermine climate action.”
— Dr. Joyce Kimutai, climate scientist
Why this matters:
Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents to climate change. Spreading misinformation about climate science can hinder essential climate action, worsening the continent's susceptibility to severe weather events.
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Extreme weather is worsening Africa's cholera crisis
Relentless extreme weather in Africa has led to severe cholera outbreaks, killing thousands and affecting hundreds of thousands more.
Sebabatso Mosamo, Farai Mutsaka, and Gerald Imray report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Since late 2021, more than 6,000 people have died and nearly 350,000 have been infected with cholera in southern and East Africa.
- Extreme weather, including cyclones, floods, and droughts, has increased the incidence of cholera by contaminating water sources.
- A global shortage of cholera vaccines has exacerbated the crisis, particularly in poorer countries that are most affected.
Key quote:
"The outbreaks are getting much larger because the extreme climate events are getting much more common."
— Tulio de Oliveira, South Africa-based disease scientist
Why this matters:
Floods not only spread cholera but also destroy crops, leading to food insecurity and malnutrition, which weakens immune systems and makes populations more vulnerable to diseases. Conversely, droughts deplete water sources, pushing people to use contaminated water for drinking and cooking.
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Photo by Nicholas Gray on Unsplash
Kenya's push to make 'boda-boda' motorbike taxis go electric
The government wants Kenya's three million motorbike taxi riders to go green but only a few have done so.
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Climate change makes east Africa’s deadly floods worse, study finds
The extreme rain and flooding in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia this fall has been made twice as intense by climate change, according to a new study.
Newsletter
Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash
Plastic’s life-cycle costs overwhelmingly fall on poor countries
A new analysis finds lower-income countries pay 8 times more for plastic’s social and environmental impacts.
Newsletter
Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash
Talks on a landmark treaty to end global plastic pollution are advancing in Kenya's capital
Efforts to create a landmark treaty to end global plastic pollution are advancing at a meeting where participants are discussing the treaty's draft language for the first time.
Kenya declares surprise public holiday to plant trees
The Kenyan government has announced a surprise public holiday for a nationwide tree-planting day, as part of its ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
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