Government Launches Climate WorX Program
The ambitious program aims to produce 3,000 seedlings daily, forming a key part of the broader national plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
By Robert Mutasi
The Kenyan government has taken a bold step toward addressing climate change and deforestation through the Climate WorX program.
Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, Aden Duale, has announced that the initiative will focus on empowering youth and women in the Ngong Forest area, with the creation of a mega tree nursery as one of its core components.
The ambitious program aims to produce 3,000 seedlings daily, forming a key part of the broader national plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
Speaking on the importance of the project, Duale highlighted how the Climate WorX initiative will serve as a driving force behind Kenya’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
“The project engages youth and women, creating both employment and environmental impact. This initiative is not only about planting trees but about nurturing a culture of environmental stewardship that will serve future generations,” Duale stated.
The tree nursery in Ngong Forest will play a pivotal role in the government’s efforts to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems and reclaim riparian land.
Over the past few decades, Kenya has faced widespread deforestation due to agricultural expansion, illegal logging, and urban development, leading to the loss of biodiversity and the weakening of natural defenses against climate-related disasters.
Reforestation efforts like Climate WorX aim to reverse this trend by restoring critical forest cover.
The Ministry of Environment sees this initiative as crucial for achieving the country’s reforestation goals.
Beyond just planting trees, the program is geared toward creating a sustainable forest ecosystem that promotes climate resilience and mitigates the effects of climate change.
Kenya’s forests are vital carbon sinks that help absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide, thus reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Expanding forest cover is also a key strategy in reducing the frequency and intensity of floods and droughts, which have become more common due to climate change.
In addition to its environmental impact, the Climate WorX program provides economic opportunities for local communities.
The involvement of youth and women in managing the tree nurseries ensures that they benefit from the government’s climate action efforts, empowering them with jobs and skills training in sustainable forestry.
By 2032, the government’s target of planting 15 billion trees will not only increase Kenya’s forest cover but also strengthen its ability to combat climate change.
The Climate WorX program, and others like it, are essential in ensuring the success of this national reforestation strategy, leaving a greener, more resilient Kenya for future generations.