Local Conference of Youth( LCOYke): towards COP25

It has been a great honor participating in Kenya’s Local Conference of Youth (November 13-14, 2019) in the lead up to #cop25. But it was not just about that:

1. I gave an (#Youth4Nature ) Expert presentation on #naturebasedsolutions & youth engagement on the same, and how to push for more adoption of Nature Based solutions(NBS) discussions & commitments, funding to drive about the 30% potential contribution to climate Action;

Lesson- young people may aspire to engage in the NBS space, however, they need to be better guided on how best to do just that. Africa for instance, being the worlds youngest continent, we have a huge land restoration opportunity. With about 700million Ha of land that suffers from deforestation & land degradation across the continent, the youth have a key role to play in reversing this.

2. I was a panel member of the #naturebasedsolutions session, engaging with youth on how best to intervene using nature as an ally to solve our common crises;

3. I ran a 2-day exhibition on Awareness creation about #trees, especially indigenous, medicinal & important trees for #soil enhancement. Coupled with this, I also showcased several ideas young people can take up, like making beautiful #art out of used wine bottles, and also using bamboo to make #decoration & useful materials, and thus get an income(thanks to the many of you that passed by the booth & shared lots of insights); 4. I got to pitch about Youth4Nature to participating youth, and got to engage about taking the science of #nature based solutions to the ground & working more with communities to implement such, & work with community to better understand how nature can be an ally in the efforts to restore land;

5. I was honored to plant some trees with some key persons during the conference. Really grateful to have met Mr. Ghaamid, our Youth4Nature focal person in Tanzania, who is really inspiring in his efforts to ensure environmental protection in His country. To Ms. Abby, an environmental champion from Kenya, great to have shared your wits with us.
To the many #youth leaders that were present, to the amazing organizers & hosts, and to all of East Africa( Uganda, Tanzania & Kenya) Who trusted youth leadership on these crucial matters, many thanks for being up to task.
Now, we keep working & pushing more, locally & regionally to connect more & drive action in our different spheres

Lastly the COP is definitely not a tour ground, nor is it a warming bench for anyone purposing to partake in. Thus, with the rich Kenya Youth position document being developed ahead of the Madrid conference, it is our hope that young peoples voices will be genuinely & meaningfully reflected & adopted, even as we transition into the new UN decade for ecosystem restoration. The climate action initiatives need young people, as sure as they need nature!

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