Topic:International Agreements, Kenya/African’s
Participation
in
International
Agreement
conservation and Environmental Management in
Relation
to
Key
Resources.
Presenter: Br. Richard Alimamy Kabia
LM:57/0029/2023
Content
*Historical background of the concept of global climate change
*International agreements on environmental conservation
*Stockholm Conference 1972
*Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer in 1985
*The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987
*Kyoto Protocol in 1997
*The Paris Agreement 2015
*Kenya/Africa’s participation in international agreement conservation
*Environmental management in relation to key resources such as wildlife,
forests and water, waste management, pollution, sanitation
*Conclusion
*Reference
Introduction
This presentation will deal with the following
aspects concerning the topic of discussion.
Historical background of the concept of global
climate change, international agreements on
environmental
conservation,
Kenya/Africa’s
participation
in
international
agreement
conservation, and environmental management
about key resources such as wildlife, forests and
water,
waste
management,
pollution,
and
sanitation. Finally, the whole presentation will
culminate with a conclusion. All material
resources that are used in this work will be fully
acknowledged in the reference section of the
presentation.
Historical background of the concept of
global climate change
When we tried to reflect on the history on
how the concept of climate change came
into play, we realised that climate change is
the long-term alteration in Earth’s climate
and weather patterns. Researchers merely
spent about a century conducting research
and data analysis, for them to be able to
convince the wider majority of the scientific
community that human activities could
have been the main factors that alter the
climate of the whole planet. A series of
experiments in the 1800s tried to suggest
that human-produced carbon dioxide
(CO2).
In the late 1950s, the readings of CO2 gave some of
the first data to corroborate the global warming
theory.
However, eventually, a lot of data emerged, along
with climate modelling and real-world weather events
would show not only that global warming was real,
but that it also presented a host of catastrophic
consequences (Angelos, 2023). All the early research
and experiments try to illustrate that human activities
contribute to the effect of global warming and
climate change on the environment.
Looking way back to the ancient Greeks, many
people had suggested and proposed that humans
could change temperatures and influence rainfall by
chopping down trees, ploughing fields for agricultural
purposes or irrigating a desert (2023).
All these historical backgrounds and scientific
evidence about climate change have caused
many countries and international organizations
to take steps towards global climate change.
Many countries and international organizations
started to enact policies and international
agreements
on
climate
change
and
environmental conservation.
Today the entire universe is experiencing the
catastrophic consequences of global warming
and climate change. This is a call to concern
and action-taking to find ways and means to
mitigate their impact and effect.
International agreements on environmental
conservation
Over
the
decades,
numerous
international
agreements concerning environmental conservation
have been signed at the global platforms to address
various ecological crises. Some of these agreements
include
important
inter-governmental
policies,
initiatives and measures taken collectively on global
environmental issues. Many developed countries
have
seen
the
efforts
of
achieving
rapid
industrialisation and modernisation all these
developments have caused great environmental
catastrophes and problems such as global warming,
deterioration of the ozone layer, resource depletion,
industrial pollution, deforestation, air pollution, and
ocean pollution and so on.
Therefore, the discussion on environmental
issues today is based on verities of problems
that affect the ecosystems and their habitats.
The main focus of the international
agreements is to lay down binding rules and
regulations that all countries and organisations
should follow in the protection and
conservation of the environment from climate
change and global warming. However, below
are the various international conferences,
protocols, treaties, and agreements signed by
countries
all
concerning
environmental
protection.
Stockholm Conference 1972
This particular conference marks the first-ever
environmental conference in modern times
held in Stockholm Sweden in June 1972. This
conference obtained its name from the place
where the conference was held by the United
Nations Conference on Human Environment
(UNCHE). The Stockholm Conference marked
the beginning of a modern era of
environmental governance, introducing more
inclusive and comprehensive international
agreements
and
regulations
on
environmental problems. This conference is
widely considered the first ever major global
attempt to address the environmental issues
of the whole world and to conserve the
human environment.
However, one of the greatest achievements
of this conference was the creation of the
United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP).
This
particular
international
environmental organisation was set up in
December 1972 by the UN General Assembly,
to help in consolidating all environmentalrelated activities and events within the United
Nations. The headquarters of UNEP is based in
Nairobi
Kenya.
After
the
Stockholm
conference, a very important convention
took place in Vienna in 1985 on the
protection of the ozone layer.
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer
in 1985
This convention on the protection of the
ozone layer was pivotal and serves as a
framework treaty for legal and practical
action to protect the planet’s ozone layer.
Under this particular convention, the main
purpose was to promote cooperation using
systematic observations, research and
information exchange on the effects of
human activities likely on the ozone layer
and the adaptation of legislative or
administrative measures against human
activities that could likely have adverse
effects on the ozone layer.
Moreover, it was the Vienna Convention that
provided the atmosphere for the creation of the
Conference of the Parties (CoP), initially, they were
meeting once every three years but later it was
changed to once every two years. The main objective
of establishing CoP was to be able to bring together
all contracting parties to the Vienna Conversion.
Hence, Article 6 of the Vienna Convention lists some
specific functions of the CoP1 which include the
following: reviewing scientific information; promoting
the harmonization of appropriate policies, strategies
and measures; deciding on reporting procedures;
adopting programmes for research and systematic
observations; considering and adapting protocols
and amendments; and establishing subsidiary bodies
(n.d, Article 58).
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete
the Ozone Layer in 1987
Looking into the seriousness of the damage caused to
the ozone layer through the various human activities
in the environment gave the impetus to the
organisation of the Montreal Protocol on substances
that deplete the ozone layer in 1987. Seeing the
necessity of the protocol of Montreal the former
President of the U.S. Ronald Reagan in 1988
commented that I quote “the Montreal Protocol is a
model of cooperation. It is a product of the
recognition and international consensus that ozone
depletion is a global problem, both in terms of its
causes and its effects. The protocol is the result of an
extraordinary process of scientific study, negotiations
among representatives, and international diplomacy.
It is a monumental achievement” (U.S. Department of
State, n.d).
However, this Montreal Protocol was finalized
in 1987. The protocol was a global agreement
to protect the stratospheric ozone layer
through the prevention of the production and
consumption of ozone-depleting substances.
These are substances that are used in the
manufacturing
of
refrigerators,
air
conditions, fire extinguishers, and aerosols.
The Montreal Protocol is globally considered
one that has proven itself to be innovative
and successful.
Kyoto Protocol in 1997
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement or treaty
that obtains its nomenclature from the Japanese City. The
protocol was adopted in December 1997 and aimed to
reduce the emission of gases into the atmosphere that
contribute to the effect of global warming. The protocol
came into force in 2005, it called for the reduction of the
emission of six different greenhouse gases in 41 nations in the
world plus the EU to 2.5 per cent below 1990 levels during the
commitment period 2008-2012. This Kyoto Protocol was
praised globally as one of the most important international
environmental treaties or agreements ever negotiated,
though some other players tried to question its effectiveness
(Britannica, 2023). The main objective of the Kyoto Protocol
was an agreement that called for industrialized nations to
reduce their greenhouse gas emissions at a significant level
(Tardi et al, 2023).
This Protocol established their different mechanisms
that enable nations additional ways to meet their
emission-limitation target. The three mechanisms are
as follows: first is the international emission trading
mechanism: Nations that have excess emission units
permitted to them but not used can engage in
carbon trading and sell these units to countries over
their target. Second is the clean development
mechanism: States with emission-reducing or limiting
commitments may implement emission-reducing
projects in developing countries to earn certified
emission-reduction credits. And third one is the joint
implementation mechanism: Centuries with emissionreducing or limiting commitment to earn emissionreducing units from a project in another party (2023).
The Paris Agreement 2015
The Paris Agreement is an international agreement or
treaty that was named after the French Capital Paris.
This agreement was adopted in December 2015. The
main aim of this treaty was to reduce the emission of
harmful gases into the atmosphere that contribute to
climate change and global warming. This
agreement was established to improve upon and to
replace the Kyoto Protocol, which was an earlier
major international environmental agreement that
was designed to fight the release of greenhouse
gases. The Paris Agreement was placed into force on
the 14th of November 2016. It was signed by 195
countries and later ratified by 190 member countries
as of January 2021 (Britannica, 2023). The agreement
is also known as the Paris Climate Agreement or COP
21.
Furthermore, now that we have the first global climate
agreement with total commitments from all member States, it is
high time to roll up our sleeves to make sure that future cycles of
climate commitments can become more ambitious over time
(2015, p.4). In this Paris Agreement, developed nations are
compelled to provide financial assistance to developing
countries in the fight against climate change and global
warming.
The agreement called on governments to take adequate
measures to develop the societal capacity to deal with the
impacts of climate change. The various countries are asked to
practice robust transparency and accountability, the Parties are
to update each other and the public about their progress in
implementing their targets (Kumar, 2019). Since the issue of
climate change has become a global phenomenon it needs
global action as well to mitigate its effects.
Kenya/Africa’s participation in international
agreement conservation
African countries have actively participated in many
international
agreements
on
environmental
conservation. In many international conservation
agreement on matters related to the environment,
climate change and global warming African heads
of state has played major roles. Kenya as a country
has participated in many international agreements
on the conservation of the environment and
ecosystem. Due to the commitment of Kenya, they
were able to host the recent regional summit of the
Africa Union Commission of Climate Change. The
sumit took place in Nairobi form 4th to 6th September
2023. The main focus of the conference was to
discuss on how the African content is trying to the
fight climate change and global warming in their
various. And also they discussed on what to present
during the COP 28 summit.
For instance, Sierra Leone as a country in
compliance with the Paris Agreement
the present government has created a
ministry that is in charge of Environment
and Climate. And also the National
Disaster Management Agency (NDMA),
which is responsible for the mitigation of
any kind of environmental-related
problem and response to disaster
management when they happen.
Environmental management in
relation to key resources such as:
Wildlife
Environmental management of resources like wildlife is the protection and
conservation of valuable and natural endowments of a particular country. Like
in the case of Kenya and the East African countries wildlife is the bedrock of
their economy and the tourism industry contributes greatly to their gross
domestic product (GDP). With that, East African countries has enacted
policies that help to protect the wildlife habitat. According to the Kenya
Wildlife Policy of 2020 state that “traditionally, wildlife in Kenya has been
seen through the lens of tourism. This view conceals the other benefits
associated with our wildlife including the provision of ecosystem service,
carbon dioxide sequestration, and provision of fresh water and air among
other benefits. This narrow appreciation of the value of Kenya’s wildlife has
led to inadequate investments in the conservation, management, and
utilization of our wildlife resources” (p.11).
However, in other to be able to manage the
wildlife it requires data to inform decision
making. A scientific basis for sound
management depends on the collection of
accurate and up-to-date data (p.23). Also,
government and local authorities need to
enact laws and regulations that will be for the
strict
protection,
management
and
conservation
of
the
wildlife
in
the
environment. This will help to prevent people
from indiscriminate hunting of wild animals for
games.
Forest and water
The environmental management of forests and water is very
important for human survival. In other words, the forest provides
essential ecosystem services, such as clean air and water,
climate regulation, wildlife habitat, and carbon storage. These
services are often preserved free of cost, but they have great
value and benefit to the environment with their living creatures.
In many countries in the world forests also provide opportunities
for recreation purposes, a source of revenue and economic
growth for many regions in the world (United States
Environmental Protection Agency, 2023). The forest conserves
water catchment areas. When the forest reserves are not well
conserved and protected it can cause shortage of water
resources in the environment.
Therefore, environmental management agencies of each
country need to protect forests from deforestation activities
because if not it can cause low rainfalls and climate change.
Water in life is one of the basic fundamental essential
components that is needed for human survival.
Waste management
In environmental management waste can either be solid, liquid
or gas that is been dumped in the environment which can be
harmful to the ecosystem. Therefore, it is very important to
manage well the waste materials in the environment. In reality,
some of the waste can be recycled and used again in the
environment. For instance, biomass waste can be transformed
into briquettes for domestic use. With this, it can help to prevent
the use of wooden charcoal and to protect the forest from
deforestation. People need education and training on how to
manage the various types of wastes in their environment. This
can help in the mitigation of certain sicknesses.
In other to mitigate the various waste in the environment there is
a great need for the construction of recycling companies that
will be able to recycle those materials and re-use them back in
the environment without causing any harm to human beings
and other living and non-living organisms in the ecosystems.
Pollution
In environmental management, there are various forms of
pollution which are air, water, noise, light, land and soil pollution
etc. If pollution is not prevented it will cause harm to the
environment and its living and non-living beings.
In many countries in the globe environmental pollution is the root
cause for many sicknesses. Pollution can also impact economic
and other activities of the ecosystem that may be different:
direct and indirect synergy. From the environmental perspective
effects of pollution are usually described in terms of
environmental degradation, devastation, and endangering the
environment, in different times and periods. Hence, it is always
possible to perceive the effects of pollution on air, water, soil,
wildlife, human health, and so on (Bećirović et al, 2015, p.2).
Therefore, in other to be able to mitigate all kinds of pollution in
the environment we need to plant more trees, proper
management of waste water (sewage water), provide good
bumping sites for the people, and properly conserve and dispose
chemical waste in the ecosystem. Moreover, proper disposal of
electronic waste.
Sanitation
In simple terms, sanitation can mean health and good
environmental management from diseases and sicknesses in the
environment. Poor environmental sanitation is always the root
cause of sicknesses in the environment among living and nonliving organisms. Therefore, as human beings, we need to take
the issue of sanitation very seriously in our communities in other to
conserve and protect the environment from diseases.
However, poor sanitation and hygiene is the root cause of
cholera and diarrhoea, which causes the death of many children
in most of the African countries.
Hence improved sanitation and waste-water management
systems that prevent exposure of human beings to pathogens
and toxic substances can make vast improvements in the public
health system of an environment (Anderson et al, 2020, p.13).
Conclusion
This paper discussed the brief historical
background of the concept of climate
change. All international agreements on
environmental conservation are towards the
protection
and
conservation
of
the
environment and the ecosystem. And also to
prevent climate change and global warming.
This paper talked briefly about how African
countries were able to participate in the
various international agreements concerning
environmental conservation. And also the
various environmental-related resources.
Reference
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