Joto Afrika edition 17 is out

By Bob Aston

The Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) is pleased to present edition 17 of Joto Afrika newsletter.  The edition is a joint effort between ALIN and the Ministry of Environment Natural Resources and Regional Development Authorities (MENRRDA) through the Low Emission and Climate Resilient Development (LECRD) Project.

Funding for the LECRD Project is by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this is within the framework of the US Government led effort on Enhancing Capacity for Low Emission Development Strategy (EC-LEDS).

Joto Afrika edition 17

Joto Afrika, meaning “Africa is feeling the heat’ in Kiswahili is a series of printed briefings and online resources about climate change mitigation and adaptation actions in sub- Saharan Africa. The series helps people understand the issues, constraints, and opportunities that people face in adapting to climate change and escaping poverty.  

ALIN started producing Joto Afrika in 2009 in an 8-page A-4 format. The newsletter usually carries simplified but peer reviewed briefings on climate change research by African scientists.

Issue 17 looks at Green Growth: An overview of the Framework for Development. As a concept, green growth advocates for complimenting actions between how we utilize our natural resources and our daily development endeavors. In addition, it orients policy and associated subsequent actions about climate change issues.

At national level, an assessment report on green growth done in 2014 by the UNDP concludes that Kenya is already implementing various green economy initiatives. The fundamental challenge is to mainstream and align green economy activities across the social, economic, and environmental spheres of society.

This requires an integrated approach through the development of a strategy that identifies the costs, opportunities, tradeoffs, and range of policy instruments that support the transition to a green economy.

It is commendable that research has led to various innovations and technologies in the energy, water, agriculture sectors and value-chain supply as illustrated by articles in this issue of Joto Afrika.

Issue 17 highlights include scaling support for Green innovations; Transition towards an inclusive Green Economy Based on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) practices; Women and Green Energy: Mitigation impacts at household level; Practicing Education for sustainable Development through Eco schools.

Others include Green Growth and Renewable Energy Development in Kenya; Pico Hydro Electricity Innovation Lighting Homes in Murang’a County; Green Building standards and codes; and capacity building for Transformative Business-driven Green Growth.

It is our hope that readers will find the 17th edition of Joto Afrika as informative and that it would add value to their work on addressing the challenges and opportunities that come with climate change as well as give them a deeper understanding of Green Growth. You can download a copy of Joto Afrika issue here.