Saving environment must be a daily habit

On Friday was Mazingira Day, which was dedicated to tree planting and environmental care. The day reminds us of our duty to protect the land that sustains us.

It is also part of the government’s ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, a bold but achievable goal if every citizen takes part.

However, planting trees for a single day is not enough. Environmental conservation is not a one-day affair but must be inculcated in our culture.

 Every Kenyan, young and old, must make it a way of life. We need to see tree planting not just as a ceremony but as an ongoing act of love for our country and future generations.

The signs of environmental destruction are all around us. Rivers are drying up. Forests have been cleared for farms and settlements.

Flash floods and droughts now occur with frightening regularity. These are the harsh effects of climate change, and we have no choice but to act.

Planting trees is a good beginning, but it must go hand in hand with protecting what already exists.

County governments should support community forests and promote clean energy. Industries must manage waste responsibly. Every household should think twice before cutting down a tree.

The success of the 15 billion tree target depends not on government orders, but on people’s will. If we all plant, protect, and nurture trees daily, we can reverse the damage already done.

Quote of the Day: “Perhaps nature is our best assurance of immortality.” —American diplomat, activist and First Lady of the United States Eleanor Roosevelt was born on October 11, 1884