The fight against climate change is not a one man’s show; Wilheminah Juma, a youth from Trans Nzoia county said climate change is a collaborative effort.
Speaking to Nyanzareview.com, Juma says reflecting her efforts in the fight against climate change was marked with major milestones both in understanding climate action policies and finding up the gaps.
“I took the step to elevate my advocacy to a more professional dimension. One key area I focused on was gaining a deeper understanding of the policy processes involved in climate action,” she explained.
According to her, the process helped her get a deeper insight on the breakout in the gaps against fighting effects of climate change. She observed that the missing link lie on failure in the formulation process and implementation.
“This allowed me to identify the gaps that arise long before the efforts of climate change mitigation and adaptation become visible to the public. Often, these gaps lie at the intersection of policy formulation and practical implementation,” she further explained.
In her view, climate action calls for multiple engagements with climate stakeholders, different sectors adversely affected including the agricultural sector, health and transport.
“Effective climate action requires not only policy, but the engagement of multiple stakeholders. We need to bring everyone to the decision-making table, from problem identification to the evaluation of implemented solutions For example, agricultural practices must consider environmental sustainability to ensure food security while preserving our ecosystems,” she further elaborated.
Like other forms of advocacy, Juma said the fight is not inevitable to challenges, with her being a newbie in the climate sector. She alluded of the constant challenge, policy making process.
“One of the most pressing challenges in this fight is that we continue to confront the same issues repeatedly because of shortcomings in the policy cycle,” she said.
Challenges
To counter the recycling challenge, Juma told Nyanzareview.com that she called for new strategies in the fight, including adopting behavioral economics insight and the integration of cutting-edge technology into climate mitigation efforts.
“As we build resilience against climate change, transparency and accountability in stakeholder engagement are essential. Bringing local communities into the fold ensures that the solutions we propose are practical, applicable, and sustainable,” said.
Engaging the International Community
Among her greatest strides in 2024 was opening her peace to the international community, including European Union and East African Community. According to her, this helped her understand the need for localizing solutions and funding.
“Although climate change is a global issue, the solutions must be localized. The adverse effects of climate change manifest differently in every region. While the West may have resources, Africa has the unique advantage of local knowledge and community-driven solutions. Empowering African nations to create customized systems that address our specific issues will be more effective than depending solely on foreign aid,” she explained.
From Trans Nzoia to the world, a similar dream shared by Salome Owuoanda from Nyatike in Migori County, a climate activist, Juma’s goal for the fight against action is extensive education on climate, and setting up a climate change facility
“Looking ahead, my goal is to deepen my intellectual understanding of environmental policy, and continue to be a voice for climate action. I plan to build a space where education, advice, and advocacy are accessible to all,” she said.
With, Kisumu governor Anyang’ Nyong’o launching a Climate Change Resource Centre in Kisumu, Juma says it will further research and knowledge of climate change among residents of Western region.
According to Nyong’o, the center will be a key project under the Financing Locally-led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program, and is anchored in the country’s climate resilience investment program.
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