Youths must become champions of climate change - Ruto

 

President William Ruto has challenged the young people in Africa to be champions of environmental stewardship.

The president regretted that the planet is in a crisis with Africa unfortunately bearing the brunt of the effects of climate change.

Ruto said the continent must lead in the development of sustainable solutions to address the effects of climate change.

The president said the youth must foster innovative practices that protect the planet while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for future generations.

''They (youth) must get into renewable energy, promoting sustainable agriculture and developing climate-resilient infrastructure,'' Ruto said.

Speaking during the Youth Connekt Africa Summit in Nairobi the President said the young people of Africa cannot be on the margins of the climate change conversation.

''This issue will define our future,'' Ruto affirmed when he spoke to the delegates at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

Ruto has been seen as the leading voice of the African Continent in championing the climate change debate on the world stage.

''This is your time, this is your moment, take the lead,'' the president told the youth.

In September, Ruto's government and the African Union co-hosted the inaugural Africa Climate Change Summit to discuss African-led sustainable solutions to global climate challenges.

The summit was themed: Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World.

Ruto said on Saturday that Kenya has developed a National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy which he said is bolstering the country's resilience against the impacts of global warming.

The president said his administration is seeking to recruit one million Youth Green Army for Climate Change Adaptation.

He said the movement Youth Green Army for Climate Change Adaptation must spread across the whole continent of Africa.

''We have recruited a 4,000-strong youth Green Army to support the 15 billion trees initiative to increase Kenya's forest cover from 12 per cent to 30 per cent by 2032.

Youth Connekt Africa is an African home-grown solution positioned to provide relevant solutions for the global South and to support the implementation of relevant South-South initiatives to empower youth.

The YouthConnekt Africa operates as a pan-African platform with the vision of connecting African youth for socio-economic transformation.

The platform seeks to empower young people through enhancing their knowledge, experiences and skills while investing in their ideas, innovations and initiatives.

BY THE STAR