Enviromental Challenges in Kenya

Energy is a tough challenge for a very large population in developing countries. Most people use the energy that is available and at a cheap price or free. Around 60% of developing countries, especially in Sub Saharan Africa do not have access to electricity. It is possible that these countries can manage to provide electricity nationwide but installation calls for high initial capital that is not affordable for everyone. Those that have access to electricity mostly use it for lighting and other general appliances that do not consume a lot of power like cooking as most of them cannot afford to pay high bills. The few that have access electricity generate the electricity using water. It may not be so reliable as it is dependent on a continuous flow of water throughout the year; which is not guaranteed due to the recent changes of climate that has resulted in less rain and overheating due to the greenhouse effect. This means that most people use wood as fuel, charcoals, kerosene in traditional stoves and crop residue. Kerosene is also used for lighting using traditional lamps. All the three energy sources do not do any injustice to the environment. All the three energy sources are known to be concentrated air pollutants because they produce carbon monoxide or nitrogen oxide.

Use of firewood definitely means that some trees are cut and maybe none planted. Massive deforestation results to habitat destruction of animals, climate changes, soil erosion and drying of land due to direct sun on the ground. They are also sources of many rivers and springs and deforestation makes them dry out. Due to moisture that dries and not transpired back to the atmosphere cutting down of trees leads to less rainfall. Charcoal use also results to deforestation as well because it is made from burning logs of wood in low oxygen levels. Charcoal production and charcoal use lead to emission of carbon to the atmosphere which contributes to global warming. This is because carbon is a greenhouse gas and it results to too much heat on earth as less heat goes to the atmosphere but much is allowed to get to earth. Charcoal and firewood are also used for heating as most people cannot afford electricity. Most public institutions like schools and hospitals also use wood as fuel for cooking. Kerosene use emits carbon monoxide or nitrogen oxide that pollutes the atmosphere and causes harm to the people that use because they develop respiratory infections. Evidence of greenhouse effects has been noted for the past years since there have been continued dry and hot seasons followed by drought.

Increased population has also resulted to too many effects to in the environment. This is because the increased population needs to be housed and the lands are favorable for human living are limited. It results to sharing of the little remaining fertile land and deforestation is inevitable. People cut trees to get materials for building house, to get space for building houses,