KIU, Western Campus c��?? Most of the time, when someone becomes too oppressed and abused, they reach a point of angst where they say c��?enough is enoughc⬝. Well, this applies to humans.

But what about things like the environment which we think donc��?ct have emotions and canc��?ct speak out? 

Recent events, especially in Uganda, seem to suggest that the environment is tired of being abused.

Severe droughts that hit large parts of the country in 2017 left many without what to eat and in need of urgent food relief. Animals and people died from famine.

According to the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), drought conditions in Uganda in 2010 and 2011 caused an estimated damage and loss value of $1.2 billion.

In Bududa district in Eastern Uganda, landslides caused by heavy rains have been a constant menace since 2010 and thousands of families have had to be relocated by government to save lives.

The Kasese floods have wreaked havoc regularly putting many lives at risk, with the most recent ones, which happened last month displacing over 100,000 people and sweeping away a hospital, according to a Daily Monitor report.

All these events are a result of severe environmental degradation.

GDFRR predicts that climate change is likely to increase average temperatures in Uganda up to 1.5 degrees Centigrade by 2030 and 4.3 degrees Centigrade by 2080. Rainfall variability and rising temperatures are expected to lead to higher incidences of droughts and water scarcity.

It is crucial for humanity to protect the environment to ensure the security and livelihoods of future generations.

Deforestation, poor agricultural practices like bush burning, polluting water sources and encroaching on wetlands are some of the things we need to desist from immediately.

There is need for populations to protect forests, water sources, wetlands and wildernesses lest we face a disaster of unimaginable proportions in the not-so-far-from-now future.

Picture credit: DW