Elizabeth Wathuti, a Kenyan environment, and climate activist founded Green Generation Initiative after guiding her empathy for the sufferings of nature like the destruction of Kenyan forests close to her native, to start life as an activist.
Six years into environmental activism, after starting the advocacy group that raises climate awareness by growing trees, Wathuti has become one of Kenya’s strong voices in combatting climate change. She hopes that her views are shared by world leaders who came for the COP27 climate summit in Egypt.
As the United Nations climate conference hosted its traditional Young and Future Generations Day on Thursday, Wathuti was one among the many young people who emphasized taking immediate action.
In an interview in Nairobi, she said, “We have to ensure that there is a great representation and participation of voices across the African continent, and not just the participation but it has to go further to make sure that the outcome we get out of COP27 has a reflection of the present needs of the African continent.”
Elizabeth Wathuti condemns coal mine expansion in Germany
In her bid to prevent a plan of expanding a coal mine on Germany’s Garzweiler, Elizabeth Wathuti visited the place along with other activists last month.
A coal company had plans to bulldoze Luetzerath, a village in western Germany to expand its coal mine. While environmentalists have protested this, they are now outraged by the demolition of the village remains, along with a wind farm.
Wathuti said, “I’ve been very overwhelmed to see what is happening right behind me. Because for me, this is what is killing people in my continent. This is what is devastating lives and livelihoods of frontline communities that are most affected by the climate crisis.”
Wathuti referred to the UN gathering as the “African COP,” noting that whatever decisions are made there has a direct influence on millions of people on the continent, particularly women.
Elizabeth Wathuti attended the last year’s UN Climate Change Conference, COP26. In her speech, her statement “open your hearts” grabbed the attention of world leaders as well as global citizens worldwide. She is attending COP27 this year in Egypt. Accompanying her are a legion of young climate leaders from around Africa, a Kenyan expert on wildlife, who is educating young people about climate change and natural remedies, and a Rwandan ecofeminist, who is combating the effects of climate change.
