KIU, Western Campus – The Earth Day 2020 theme is short but very clear. “Climate Action,” it states, and action is what we need if we are to secure the livelihoods of future generations.

With the world facing one disaster after another, we are in a race against time to reverse or stall the effects of pollution on the climate.

On 14th April, Uganda experienced a nationwide power blackout, which the president later revealed was caused by water hyacinth blocking the intake of Nalubaale Power Station in Jinja. This was caused by rising water levels on Lake Victoria, which were, in turn, a result of persistent heavy rains around the country. These heavy rains are an effect of climate change caused by environmental degradation.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his Earth Day remarks, called on the world not to forget “the deeper environmental emergency” facing the planet, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“Biodiversity is in steep decline. Climate disruption is approaching a point of no return. We must act decisively to protect our planet from both the Coronavirus and the existential threat of climate disruption,” a BBC report quoting Mr Guterres reads.

As we celebrate Earth Day we should ask ourselves this question. Are you as an individual playing your part in environmental protection?

Do you deposit rubbish in the right place or do you dump it anywhere? Do you play your part in ensuring communal water sources are not polluted or do you ease yourself in the river/lake? Do you destroy plastic waste or do you just dump it anywhere?

These are issues we should sit back and reflect on. Because, much as we are calling for universal action, it all starts with you. If you can’t respect and protect the environment, do not expect anyone else to.

But as we do whatever we do, we should have our future generations in mind. Our forefathers passed on to us a healthy world. We should ensure our children and grandchildren inherit a healthy one too.

Happy Earth Day from Kampala International University!