Celebrating Africa Environment Day and Wangari Maathai Day: Embracing Nature and Inspiring Change

Africa is facing major economic, social, and environmental challenges. A recent report from the World Meteorological Organisation highlights that climate change is having a severe impact on the continent. African countries are losing up to five percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year due to climate-related issues. This loss forces many nations to spend up to nine percent of their budgets just to cope with climate extremes.

These climate challenges don’t just affect the economy; they also make it harder for communities to alleviate poverty. The progress Africa has made in recent decades is at risk. This is evident in the extreme weather events that have struck the continent, including floods and droughts.

To raise awareness about these environmental challenges, the Organisation of African Unity launched Africa Environment Day in 2002. In 2012, the African Union began celebrating Africa Environment Day alongside Wangari Maathai Day, in honor of the late Kenyan environmentalist who championed conservation and sustainable development.

The impacts of climate change are alarming. In September 2023, catastrophic flooding in Libya resulted in at least 4,700 deaths. In East Africa, countries like Kenya and Somalia experienced devastating floods, displacing over 2.4 million people and causing more than 350 fatalities during the rainy season. Malawi and Mozambique faced disastrous flooding due to Cyclone Freddy, claiming hundreds of lives.

South Sudan also recorded severe flooding, making food, clean water, and healthcare hard to come by. Nearly 300,000 people were affected by floods across ten African nations in late 2023, with Niger and Nigeria being among the hardest hit. At the same time, many areas in North Africa, including Morocco and Algeria, suffered from extreme drought, impacting millions.

To address these challenges, an Early Warnings For All Action Plan for Africa was launched in September 2023. This initiative aims to ensure that everyone in Africa has access to timely information about natural hazards by 2027, a goal supported by the United Nations.

Wangari Maathai’s legacy lives on through the celebrations of Africa Environment Day and Wangari Maathai Day, which highlight successful environmental practices across Africa. Recently, plans by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to lease Uhuru Park, a key green space in the city, sparked protests from environmental groups, echoing Maathai’s commitment to protecting public lands.

Her impact continues through her daughter, Wanjira Maathai, who leads the Wangari Maathai Foundation. Wanjira focuses on youth leadership and environmental stewardship, striving to carry on her mother’s values. “I’m not living in her shadow, I’m basking in her light,” she has said, emphasizing the ongoing importance of her mother’s work.

Celebrating these days reminds us all of the importance of preserving our environment for future generations and recognizing our collective role in ensuring a healthy planet.