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Do we need to say our prayers? Do we need to say our prayers?
(about 8 hours later)
VIEWPOINT Greig WhiteheadVIEWPOINT Greig Whitehead
For millions of people in Africa, climate change is a reality, says Greig Whitehead. However, as he explains in this week's Green Room, in religious nations such as Kenya, many believe that tackling global warming is beyond their control.For millions of people in Africa, climate change is a reality, says Greig Whitehead. However, as he explains in this week's Green Room, in religious nations such as Kenya, many believe that tackling global warming is beyond their control.
Even with trust in the power of God, Kenya is a country on the brink of disasterEven with trust in the power of God, Kenya is a country on the brink of disaster
Kenya is a deeply religious country.Kenya is a deeply religious country.
Christians, Muslims and Hindus alike assemble for regular and often lengthy worship; prayers are offered up before and after every public meeting, and even before starting a cross-country "safari", the god of one's faith is called on to bless the journey.Christians, Muslims and Hindus alike assemble for regular and often lengthy worship; prayers are offered up before and after every public meeting, and even before starting a cross-country "safari", the god of one's faith is called on to bless the journey.
So it comes as no surprise to hear a female pastoralist from the arid lands of North-East Kenya decrying the combined wisdom of the world's scientists, after being told that climate change is man-made.So it comes as no surprise to hear a female pastoralist from the arid lands of North-East Kenya decrying the combined wisdom of the world's scientists, after being told that climate change is man-made.
"How can man change the climate and make it stop raining: it is God's will that has brought the drought," she utters."How can man change the climate and make it stop raining: it is God's will that has brought the drought," she utters.
But even with trust in the power of God, Kenya is a country on the brink of disaster.But even with trust in the power of God, Kenya is a country on the brink of disaster.
As news reports show, the country's rivers are drying, its more remote areas are turning to desert, and the food chain - from land, to animals, to humans - is breaking down.As news reports show, the country's rivers are drying, its more remote areas are turning to desert, and the food chain - from land, to animals, to humans - is breaking down.
The ramifications of the rural drought now stretch to the streets of Nairobi, where five million people face daily power rationing, severe water shortages and higher food prices.The ramifications of the rural drought now stretch to the streets of Nairobi, where five million people face daily power rationing, severe water shortages and higher food prices.
In battle terms, Kenya is on the frontline; it is staring climate change in the face.In battle terms, Kenya is on the frontline; it is staring climate change in the face.
Climate for changeClimate for change
But to deal with the global phenomenon, Kenya's "wananchi" (citizens) need to understand the complex of challenges they are up against, including a range of home-grown factors.But to deal with the global phenomenon, Kenya's "wananchi" (citizens) need to understand the complex of challenges they are up against, including a range of home-grown factors.
Gathering drinking water is becoming even more difficult for many in AfricaGathering drinking water is becoming even more difficult for many in Africa
A growing population, coupled with insufficient investment in rural infrastructure and land management, makes it even more difficult to adapt to climate change and stave off the impending disasters brought by human induced global warming.A growing population, coupled with insufficient investment in rural infrastructure and land management, makes it even more difficult to adapt to climate change and stave off the impending disasters brought by human induced global warming.
For the future of Kenya, it is vital that practical solutions are found to meet people's concerns and help build sustainable systems that are less vulnerable to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.For the future of Kenya, it is vital that practical solutions are found to meet people's concerns and help build sustainable systems that are less vulnerable to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
Most importantly, it is up to the youth of Kenya to take up the fight on climate change; to succeed where their elders are failing and to inspire a new generation to change their thinking and adapt their ways.Most importantly, it is up to the youth of Kenya to take up the fight on climate change; to succeed where their elders are failing and to inspire a new generation to change their thinking and adapt their ways.
There are more than 4,000 secondary schools across Kenya, and apart from their purely academic function, most of them play a key role as a focal point for the surrounding community.There are more than 4,000 secondary schools across Kenya, and apart from their purely academic function, most of them play a key role as a focal point for the surrounding community.
Secondary schools are well place to act as catalysts for community action.Secondary schools are well place to act as catalysts for community action.
The 12% of youth fortunate to attend these schools - the country's future leaders - have the knowledge and abilities to become "change-agents", able to motivate people to develop a better understanding of the causes and impacts of environmental degradation.The 12% of youth fortunate to attend these schools - the country's future leaders - have the knowledge and abilities to become "change-agents", able to motivate people to develop a better understanding of the causes and impacts of environmental degradation.
This then provides a foundation on which to discuss and take action.This then provides a foundation on which to discuss and take action.
'Here and now''Here and now'
Climate change is about the here and now in Kenya, already seriously affecting the wellbeing of millions of people.Climate change is about the here and now in Kenya, already seriously affecting the wellbeing of millions of people.
Wangari Maathai has inspired many people to take actionWangari Maathai has inspired many people to take action
It is a salutary warning for the more affluent countries in the North that a problem which - in essence - they have created, through industrialisation and development, will in time rebound to affect their own livelihoods.It is a salutary warning for the more affluent countries in the North that a problem which - in essence - they have created, through industrialisation and development, will in time rebound to affect their own livelihoods.
Climate change is a global issue transcending national boundaries, but impacting first on those who can least afford to cope with the consequences.Climate change is a global issue transcending national boundaries, but impacting first on those who can least afford to cope with the consequences.
The "God not man" cry from the lady in Kenya's northern reaches illustrates a common problem relating to understanding the underlying causes, and underscores the incapability of people in such situations to deal with the crisis that has impacted so severely on their communities.The "God not man" cry from the lady in Kenya's northern reaches illustrates a common problem relating to understanding the underlying causes, and underscores the incapability of people in such situations to deal with the crisis that has impacted so severely on their communities.
As Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, notes:As Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, notes:
"Climate change will bring massive ecological and economic challenges… therefore, alleviating dehumanising poverty will become even more difficult.""Climate change will bring massive ecological and economic challenges… therefore, alleviating dehumanising poverty will become even more difficult."
One of the keys to enable understanding and adaptation is to harness the power and ingenuity of youth. As Kefa Kones Kibet, a 17-year-old from Nakuru High School in Kenya's Rift Valley, remarks:One of the keys to enable understanding and adaptation is to harness the power and ingenuity of youth. As Kefa Kones Kibet, a 17-year-old from Nakuru High School in Kenya's Rift Valley, remarks:
"Climate change causes suffering for people. Many people in Africa walk for miles in search of water."Climate change causes suffering for people. Many people in Africa walk for miles in search of water.
"Women are the ones who suffer most because they are the ones who look out for the family. People should be educated on how to plant trees and how best to use the little water available."Women are the ones who suffer most because they are the ones who look out for the family. People should be educated on how to plant trees and how best to use the little water available.
"The only way to curb climate change is through action now for a better tomorrow.""The only way to curb climate change is through action now for a better tomorrow."
Greig Whitehead is programme manager for the International Climate Challenge, KenyaGreig Whitehead is programme manager for the International Climate Challenge, Kenya
The Green Room is a series of opinion articles on environmental topics running weekly on the BBC News websiteThe Green Room is a series of opinion articles on environmental topics running weekly on the BBC News website
Do you agree with Greig Whitehead? In Africa, do young people hold the key to tackling climate change? How can people match climate science with religious beliefs? Is it the responsibility of industrialised nations to prevent dangerous climate change?Do you agree with Greig Whitehead? In Africa, do young people hold the key to tackling climate change? How can people match climate science with religious beliefs? Is it the responsibility of industrialised nations to prevent dangerous climate change?
It is possible 4 man to tackle climate changes, i'm a science student, and according to my course in metrology, there are many ways to tackle climate changes. beside: i pray dat God will interfere and intervene in the other hand.Gzntility, lagos Nigeria
Young People in Africa hold the Key to tackling climate change because they feel its effects now and if they want to live better tomorrow, its time to change. They have found the damage their parents brought on along with greedy people in top ranks, and now they have to guard their own lives through environmental protection. Religious beliefs stem from people reading their holy books. If people can read the Bible in Genesis where man was charged to take care of the environment, then they will know that wanton destruction is not taking care of it. It's everyones responsibility to take care of the environment and not sit down and watch as others destroy it. The older generation in Kenya watched as different areas from the Coast to the North was destroyed, and the youth don't have to.Tess, Nairobi
I AGREE WITH GREIG. THE YOUTHS CAN DEVELOP THE HABITS NOW AND WHEN THE ADULTS FACE OUT OF ACTIVE POSITIONS THE CLIMATE SITUATION MAY REVERSE. THE DIVINE INTERVENTION IS ALSO EMENET. THE STRIKING LOW TEMP IN EUROPE IS A RELIEF. GOV'TS NEED TO DO MUCH IN THE AREA OF RECYLING MATERIAL IN AN APPROPRIATE WAY. THE DANGEROUS BURNING IN CAMEROON IS A WAY OF MANAGING VISIBLE WASTE AND RAKING HAVOC TO THE ENVIRONMENT. ENVIRONMENTALISTS OUGHT TO COME IN FORCEFULLY IN THIS AREA. BUHNYUY VICTOR, CAMEROON
Religion has so much negative to offer. It's time to change the world, one helpless god at a time.Julie,
All these events are telling us one thing, that there is no more time.Immanuel Awoleye, Lagos Nigeria
The trouble is we do not really know much about GOD. Atheists claim there isn't one and over the millennia our concept of GOD has changed as different religions have gained ascendancy and introduced their GOD. The trouble is that GOD has been made in man's image and man is getting increasingly arrogant. Maybe GOD has now decided that it is time to do something about this upstart species which is ruining creation, sending drought to Africa and ice and snow to Europe and North America. One thing is for certain after this severe winter it will be difficult to convince people there is global warming.Jim, Chichester
I think this analysis has been drowned out by the events of the past week. The pastoralists' prayers are now no longer about drought but what to do with the unprecedented deluge that has engulfed the entire country taking human as well as livestock lives and destroying homesteads, schools and crops.Richard Kerama, Nairobi, Kenya
Humanism, which most people do not understand, is the answer and can be explained with a simple example. Despite how many prayers, when a person loses a limb no god will grow another for the victim regardless how many prayers are said. A human can make a prosthetic, however, and provide pain relief. John Aalborg, Ponce de Leon FL 32455 USA
God has something to say about the mentality of climate change "science" - "Thinking themselves to be wise, they became fools." I stand with the woman in Kenya quoted as saying, "How can man change the climate...?" That is indeed God's business!Billy Hires, Tampa, FL USA
We can not blame any body for the climate change. Everybody has benefited from industrial revolution. But Now we can blame industrialised nations not to take responsible role to reduce the dangerous of this disaster. A collective efforts of all nation only can do some thing instead of a blame game which we have been watching. Then the preyar to God, it should be sincier, many of us prey out of fear or greediness not by soul. The preyar ceremonies are quiet commercial more than spirituel or grouupes show their power.The God will be with those who are really believe in sincier prayer and faithful life. All other prayers will give negetive impacts as we see all over the world now. Every beliefs are now getting setbacke due to lack of real belief in their God's grace and truth Shameer, Lagos
I think industrialised nations should be responsible for the climate change . desmond, mayanghunanchina
Climate change is a worldwide phenomenon. Industrialisation in the developed countries is the major cause of climate change. Underdevelopment, illiteracy, ignorance and poor management of the environment are the major causes of climate change in Africa. Poor land use and management, poor agricultural practises including normadic pastures, destruction of forest and woodlands, uncontrolled expansion of urban and rural settlements expose large areas of land surface leading to erosion and silting of streams and river. Thus we are destroying are forests and vegetation cover, and all streams and rivers are vanishing due to silting and pollution. The destruction of forests has direct effect on rainfall and temperatures. Reversing these trends should be the primary aim of African leaders and scientists rather carbon emissions.Kwaku Opon Tutu, Accra, Ghana
Young people always hold the key as they are the ambassadors of tomorrow but if you look at the situation from a philosophical perspective, the wording is out of alignment with what they seek. You are saying "Tackling Climate Change"It may just be the usage of the words as to what is expected. Do you want to anchor change of the climate or do you want something to be as it naturally is, or was? Taking ownership for anything is important and here I would say accountablity is a start, and maybe the nations that consume the most are really who should be accountable and responsible for the returning of stasis. Thank youvicki curio tretiak, toronto ontario
I have just short comment I would like to share with others and this is about the inappropriate growth of human population in all developing countries (not only particularly in Africa). I think it is not realistic to find some genius solution for global warming and I am no expert at all, but I am quite concerned (well - everybody must be !) about all the situation with our planet. My point is - we have to try to bring education to all poor nations over the world, to help them understand the problem, starting their active involvement in the global process and make them understand that their natural right to have as much childern as they like is not ideal. "When I have not enough food and water for me, is it not quite selfish to bring a new human being to this world ?" It is obvious, that there is gonna be only suffering in its life ... While the families in let´s say "developed countries" have 1-3 childern in average, what is the average number in poor areas with lack of water and food ? 8-10 ? I understand the religion, ethics and human rights, but for me this is one of the most crutial things, which should not be forgotten - to bring the education to those people and make them understand the consequences of their conduct.Andrea, Prag
Ever since people have lived to see the birth of their grandchildren, the human race has been doomed. There are too many people and it is now impossible to reduce the growth. There will be wars over food and drink within the next 50 years, and unless a miraculous replacement for fossil fuels is discovered/invented and adopted faster than any other technology has been, the population growth will outweigh any 'carbon reduction' efforts put in place. No-one would expect a 50% reduction in CO2 over the next 60 years, but the population of the World will roughly double in that time, so that is what is required. And that would only maintain the current levels of pollution! Also, a miserable by-product of this process will be the loss one of the fundamental traits of humanity; empathy. When there isn't enough food and water for the World, people will stop wanting to help others survive that are in situations where aid is required. Happy new year.Simon Morris, London, UK
Whether global warming is largely anthropogenic, is essentially irrelevant to the necessary course of action. If non-human causes contribute very significantly to climate change, that merely means that we must work that much harder to moderate our greenhouse gas emissions. (CO2, CH4, NOx, ...) If you are in a lifeboat with rising water in the bilges, do you reject a request to stop peeing in the boat, just because "There are also some waves lapping over the sides"? "Faith: Not _wanting_ to know what is true." - Friedrich NietzscheErik Christiansen, Melbourne, Australia
I agree with that idea youths are much more informed on the methods needed to carry on this movement,furthermore.they are taught on the various ways to stabilise global warming.also many have a profound knowledge of geology..with funds from mr.greig i think they are able..i'm an A4 student,17years. Diyen franck-erick, Stains in paris.france
The woman's belief in God appears to be regarded as mere superstition here. Yet God, right at the beginning of the Bible, "puts man in charge" of his creation. I believe this includes responsible management of the environment. Therefore I believe that the Christian perspective on climate change is irrespective of the theories, we should not squander God's creation by putting out unsustainable CO2 and using up earth's finite resources at such a high rate, and instead behave in a responsible manner as "stewards" of God's creation.Robert Harris, Derby
I do not know if young people will be the key to tackling climate change by themselves, I think that all people must colaborate in saving the world with their little or big contribution from the scope they handle. This is the world we have, there is no alternative in the short term to colonize other planet, and we have to take care or die. By the way I think that religions have been a necessary evil for human beings, taking care of the moral and ethical aspects of societies, and giving hope for the most vulnerable people, but very frecuently have represented an obstacle to technological development of societies and an obstacle to people for taking the responsability of their future in their own hands. Of course I believe that the responsability of industrialised countries is bigger than the others, but each one (industrialised or not) have to take the necessary and responsible actions to prevent the damages or to avoid continuing the damage they have caused.Raúl, Matamoros Key, Caracas, Venezuela
Because of ignorance the African women think its a natural phenomenon. Ignorance is bliss for them as they cant tolerate the fact that it is a man made circumstances. It is the matter of great concern but whole world is looking on each other without taking any firm initiatives. This climate change is not affecting us directly so we are silent, but the day will come when we will be adversely affected. And, till then it will be too late to take any initiatives. Its better to stitch at time otherwise the torn piece will unable to protect us from anything.Govind Kumar, New Delhi
The article is full of holes - yes we are responsible for part of global warming but partof it may be a natural process. Yes we in the west consume much more per capita than people in the devloping world but is China and India etc to be simply taken out of the equation only because they grew poluting masters now instead of having a history of big polution? And then the question of what happens to your forests - I did not cut a single tree in your country. It is difficult of course to control business and politicians but it is possible to let them pay for their mistakes. Are people in Kenya ready to do anything with destruction of own forests? Yes we in the west have obligation to help but if it is only us that have to do something then I am afraid the whole thing is a hard sell. besides - the warming albeit drasticly fast still has very long paces - even if we achieve the most what is possible now the effects will be gradual and show up only in time. Maybe we should better prepare for the apparently unavoidable instead of lamenting and demanding more money from the west. Beware these are not the reach in the west that actually pay for it - common folk is footing the bill not the big business. hans kloss,
Well said.. The future lies in the imagination and flexibility of youth but perhaps more important it also relies on a willingness of older generations to be flexible enough to adopt new ways that enable the youth of today to prosper and make the changes that need to happen so they become reality. Wall street, the corporate world, needs to yield to the needs of future generations and richer nations need to understand as the author pointed out that the climate stresses felt today by those most vulnerable will very rapidly become first hand knowledge for all from which there is no hiding. The corporate world of Wall Street currently will have no protection, no buffer, when stress becomes so great that societies start to break down. I suggest the world, the world of mankind get its act together and act in unified manner to confront global warming and make a valiant effort to reverse the pitiful outcome likely to result from the climate summit in Copenhagen if nothing is done. The corporate world of military spending, consumerism and money should not be allowed to dash the hopes of future generations. I don't think God would disapprove of a World that takes action. Dale Lanan, Longmont, Colorado, USA
Survivor of these generation and the ones to come depends on what we do now to save it. We should all rise to the challenge and do our best to safe our environment, because they were all connected.Oni Gideon Olanrewaju, Ile-ife, Nigeria
Only the people of kenya can understand how they feel hence they hold their believes or not, things are out of their hands, its more of a question when concrete steps would be taken for a healthier earth (or we go forward on the dinosaur route). Root of the problem is human manipulation of earth which has gone a lot over the board and now we need a system which uses the human brain for a positive cause and herein I agree, youth do hold a promise for a different future; if we made this mess , we would definitely have within us the ways that would clear up this mess as well.Prashant Tripathi, Anand, India
The real problem is not religious trusting in God, but scientists believe they can manage everything at their will. gio lodovico baglioni, Italy-lake Iseo
revelations 11:18 bible :- But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time for the dead to be judged, and to give [their] reward to your slaves the prophets and to the holy ones and to those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth."niko, bergen / norway
Education will help tackle the problem. Young people in Africa don't have more knowledge than the old ones. Some generations have remained stagnant in development, so I beleive whether young or old Africans, we should take the 'education first' approach.Mark, Assen/The Netherlands
This excellent article embodies why the people of more 'developed' nations, capable of acting on a relatively good understanding of the facts, progress, mechanisms and effects of climate change, have an obligation to press governments to develop programmes that alter our attitudes to National government and act from supra national perspectives in the perception and response to the global facts of climate change. In earlier stages of development, Northern/Western countries have attributed epoch changing phenomena and events to the will and hand of a higher, external force, god, or whatever. It's in our history and mostly we see things differently and are able to attribute causes and responses on a basis of social, cultural and scientific development that gives us more complex insight, technologies and potential for action. It's a global problem and the societies of More developed countries are relatively well insulated from some of it's emerging immediate effects, materially, socially, and so on. That insulation is temporary and our knowledge and realisation of the magnitude of climate change is not easy for us to 'process'. We can though, also know that the universal value of a human life is the basis of human rights legislation. From a world centred perspective, we somehow have to hurry to action on this basis. Clearly, governments and cross governmental and NG organisations have to change priorities and focus on enabling developments that prioritise help to enable development of infrastructure (and this includes people) to enable LDCs (Less developed countries) to best respond to their immediate problems and be full members of a cooperative global squaring up to the facts of climate change. Efforts in this direction were scuppered at Copenhagen this time round. We have to take steps to create processes above mere competition, to describe and tackle climate change. The old Industrialized nations were ignorant of the consequences of the processes they set in motion. Now we know that the industrializing processes rampant now, in China and India for example, are worsening the problems the world faces - and it stares us in the face that ill- regulated international industrial competition is not a viable or sustainable way for the world to continue. Not simple. What is simple is that investing in the people, in the future and therefore in education to facilitate non industrialized nations in responding to their physical and social issues is paramount. Religious responses are part of a world view, a making sense of the world that we have to acknowledge and respect as different, that does not change overnight, but clearly, if my house is on fire, I'm not going to pray for rain if there's water at hand.Rita, England
We certainly need some global warming here in alberta. It is always cold and we have no summer to speak of ! We use coal for energy, our vehicles run 24 hours daily, our furnaces never shut off. Canada is the greatest contributor to greenhouse gases and yet we are in a frozen tundra that is becoming colder yet. Where is the global warming ?joseph, calgary alberta canada
For some Religious people to understand, accept and do something about climate change and its effect on us we will have to blend the science and religion. Rita, Tamale, Ghana
Mr Whitehead is right; young people ARE the key to tackling climate change (they don't hold the key, they themselves are the key). But only education will help. Religion is and always has been totally useless in dealing with realities of nature - that is not its purpose. If someone says 'It's God's will', then that person is working on a Darwin Award. Science - which always doubts even itself, in total contrast to religion - is the answer, and the only answer. It is time for religious people to accept that religion has other purposes, and does NOT provide an answer to everything.D. Fear, Heidelberg, Germany
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