Eleven-year-old Natalie Silantoi Anyango took center stage after sharing her aspirations and drive toward launching an initiative addressing the pollution menace.
She runs an initiative called My Environment My Responsibility, where she distributes dustbins to populated areas like bus stops, schools, and children’s homes.
The 11-year-old also leads tree planting exercises in schools and in Menengai Forest in Nakuru, within the Rift Valley in Kenya.
Anyango was among the guests at the Africa Youth Climate Assembly 2023 and gave a captivating address that sent the participants into deep reflection.
Anyango who holds the title of Mini Miss Environment Kenya noted that plastic pollution was among the key problems bedeviling the country in its efforts to tackle pollution and climate change.
“Africa is bleeding; Africa is in pain, because of the effects of climate change. Unless we help to mitigate the effects of climatic change, we stand little chance of fulfilling the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). We need to stop global warming, first by ending the open burning of waste. This has to be addressed urgently,” she stated.
“I have learnt a lot of things; that all of us can make a difference in the environment and in addressing climate change in our own small ways; from picking up candy wraps to planting a tree. The problem of climate change affects all of us; and climate solutions require all of us to be responsible and act,” Anyango added.
To help address some of the challenges, Anyango called on African leaders to formulate and enforce policies to protect the ecosystem.
Besides policies, she also urged key players to involve children in protecting the continent.
“Children must be involved in climate change action. So as children if we start now, I think the environment will be in a better place in future,” she insisted.
Her key address came after President William Ruto officially opened the Africa Climate Summit where he urged different Head of State to prioritize protecting their natural resources.
The summit held at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) is set to unlock new funding and development opportunities for the continent.
