Our Planet with Anthony Mugo

Every year, the world’s most influential philanthropist couple, Bill and Melinda Gates, release an annual letter detailing what continues to motivate them to give so much money towards various causes around the world.   In the 2018 Annual Letter, they have focused on what they refer to as “The 10 Toughest Questions We Get.” The questions come through various social media platforms such as Twitter and Linked and from people writing from different countries focusing on various dimensions of development. The couple then responds from their respective perspectives giving candid answers and using the opportunity to share what drives their philanthropic work which they carry out through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Out of the 10 questions, question number three in the 2018 Annual Letter focuses on climate change: “Why don’t you give money to fight climate change? To this, Bill Gates responds in part: “ Personally, we’re investing in innovations that will cut back o...

In Kenya, climate change is predicted to result in increased frequency of extreme events, particularly droughts and floods. It has been noted that droughts in the East and Horn of Africa region used to occur after every 10 years between the 1960s and the 1970s. This frequency has increased to the extent that drought started occurring after every five years during the 1990s and could become even more frequent in the future due to climate change. In addition, droughts and floods have become more severe and rainfall less predictable due to the phenomenon. More than 80 per cent of Kenya’s land mass is categorised as arid and semi-arid. All counties in the North of Kenya are in this category. The only sustainable livelihood activity that has been possible there is pastoralism. Communities that live in this region are therefore very dependent on natural climate-sensitive resources namely water, pasture and livestock. Conflict: a consequence resource scarcity As competition for ...