{"id":5333,"date":"2019-09-16T12:42:49","date_gmt":"2019-09-16T09:42:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/africasustainabilitymatters.com\/?p=5333"},"modified":"2026-01-11T05:30:32","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T05:30:32","slug":"a-voice-for-the-waters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/2019\/09\/16\/a-voice-for-the-waters\/","title":{"rendered":"A Voice For The Waters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Healthy oceans are the life\nsupport system for our planet, providing 97% of the Earth’s livable habitat and\na home to more than 700,000 species. However, due to human activities, such as\ndisposing waste and plastics, our waters are more troubled than ever before.\nCurrently, only about 2% of the world’s oceans are protected. The lack of\nprotection means that up to 12 million metric tons of plastic \u2013 everything from\nplastic bottles and bags to microbeads – end up in our water sources each year.\nThat is a truckload! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The increasing amount of plastic waste is devastating the habitat of marine life. Discarded plastic fishing lines entangle turtles and seabirds; marine life mistake plastic waste for food; microorganisms consume micro-plastics, accumulating plastic even at the lowest level of the marine food chain. Plastic waste is present at all levels of the food chain, it accumulates and inevitably ends up on our plates. In the face of the troubles plastic brings to marine life, Better Blue Kenya is taking action to ensure its conservation. In an interview with Impact Africa, Esther Maina, founder of Better Blue Kenya, sheds more light on the initiative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSpeaking for the Waters\u201d is Better Blue\u2019s main agenda, please tell us more about the initiative.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better Blue\u2019s main agenda of \u201cSpeaking for the Waters\u201d was derived from quite a fascinating idea. I believe there is always a voice coming from the waters, whether a still or in motion stream, river, lake, sea or ocean. To me, this is a voice that means life. \u00a0Not only to nature but also humanity and the planet as a whole. Life underwater is key in driving the socio-economic aspects of the country. However, the pressing challenges facing the environment specifically regarding and related to the waters with particular concern to pollution, climate, and unsustainable use are a major threat to this life. With these challenges, I felt the need to ensure recurrent capacity to conserve that life.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The\ninitiative initially started as a micro mini venture dubbed \u201cTreasures from\nPlastic Waste\u201d in 2017. Later this year, I decided to broaden the scope of the\ninitiative. It not only involves suitable post-consumer recycling alternatives\nbut also as an integral sector among other conservation actions. These are\ndedicated to support, promote and champion for the integrity, prosperity,\nsustainable utilization and conservation of water bodies \u2013 currently, Better\nBlue Kenya. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\nendeavor to achieve our aim through; advocacy for environmental responsibility.\nTo solve the challenges facing water bodies, we focus on sustainable\nconsumption and production, promoting innovation and environmental education.\nThis enlightens and raises awareness of the solutions and approaches to\naddressing the challenges facing our waters. It further promoting\ncommunity-based conservation and engaging in activities geared towards water\nand water resources conservation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing up as a normal Kenyan girl, what inspired you to venture into the world of sustainability?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nworld of sustainability for me has been a journey that keeps unfolding each new\nday. One that started even without me understanding what sustainability exactly\nwas. Coming from a rural area and from a tender age, I was always fascinated by\nthe world around me. With the concept of sustainability and the global SDGs\ngaining momentum in the recent past my passion to venture into sustainability\nwas fueled when I attended the Kenya Youth Conference on SDGs for a Sustainable\nKenya Beyond 2030 at the Kenya School of Government in 2018. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having\nthe mantra, \u201cyou could attend all\nfunctions but what have you to show after all is said and done\u201d<\/em> in mind, I\nnot only left with the knowledge but was compelled to act. Not just act but do\nthis aligning my interests with the global goals. They have been an eye-opener\nfor me not only to spot existing opportunities but also explore and create\nsomewhere none existed. I now find in the goals a platform to channel my\ninfinite capacity to bring about a positive impact between now and 2030 when\nthe resolved period of the Agenda is going to elapse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Share an example of a sustainability project goal or strategy you developed and has been of much help in your campaign for Better Blue in Kenya.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 I have developed simple innovations of\nproducing jewelry and home accessories from recycled plastic. Well, I believe\nit does not have to be complex to solve a problem, that which may be termed\nsimple could produce the most anticipated change. I say this because this\nsimple idea is among the things that highlight enormous success in my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\nwas through this project that I won the Sustainable Consumption and Production fellowship\nin Africa. It also granted me entry into the 2nd<\/sup> Generation\nFinalists of Africa Innovation Leaders Business Challenge, at the Emerging African Innovation Leaders G7\nExchange and Empowerment Program. This has catalyzed my endeavors in\npromoting education and advocacy for environmental consciousness and\nresponsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highlight some of the projects Better Blue Kenya has engaged in, to achieve the sustainable development goal 14 \u2013 Life below water. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
SDG 14: Life Below Water- UN India <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At\nBetter Blue Kenya we strongly feel that sustainably managing and protecting\nmarine and coastal ecosystems from pollution and other impacts arising from\nhuman pressures cannot be a stand-alone aspect of focus. Before we get down to\nthe waters, we should also take into account what is happening up in the\nterrestrial ecosystems. Findings by the UN Environment stat that 8 million tons\nof plastics end up in the ocean every year with 80% emanating from land-based\nsources. It further notes that by 2050 the plastics could outweigh the fishes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\nhave built partnerships with schools and engage them in strategic waste\nsegregation, tree planting, and tree naming. Community-based organizations are\nalso our key partners in conservation. The Tea Farmers Association, for\ninstance, is a critical player in the restoration of riparian land. We have also partnered with Spatial Ventures Limited in\ndeveloping a model for coral reef mapping to raise awareness on the plight of\ncoral reefs in Kenya as well as encourage adoption of the best practice in the\nsustainable management of coral reefs and associated ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are some of the challenges Better Blue Kenya has faced in partnerships?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most\nchallenges are due to financial constraints. For instances where we have\ninvested a lot of financial energy, the partner may also want to get valued,\nwhich mostly involves financial credits. Another challenge has been partnering\nwith organizations whose objectives are not in unison with our goal hence being\novershadowed. This kind of partnerships often leads to a win-lose situation.\nCommitment and consistency is also a major challenge. Partners sometimes fail\nto honor promises they made leaving us no choice than focusing all our energy\nin the project you had proposed to work on with the partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What factors do you consider when proposing a sustainability<\/strong> initiative?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One is that whether it’s about business or non-profit it does\nnot have to jeopardize nature’s integrity & capacity to provide for future\ngenerations. We integrate the protective, conservative and restorative\napproaches. It means exploring all available rewarding options not forgetting\nthat it doesn’t only have to be a profit but also take environmental\nconsiderations into account. The other factor is aligning our initiative with\nglobal goals. We cannot mention sustainability without talking of the UN 2030\nAgenda for sustainable development<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Provide an effective method you have used to ensure the youth are interested in sustainability projects.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most young people in Kenya will sometimes be obliged\nto accept what you propose to them only when they are sure to expect something\nfrom you in return. One effective method that has worked is carrying along with\ngiveaways with me every time we go out for sustainability activities. We present\nthem to individuals who have gained the best of the idea in the theme of the\nday. These include reusable hydro-flask bottles, calendars and some of the\naccessories produced from recycled plastic. These always boost their motivation\nand makes them want to learn more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have also twined our sustainability projects with\nyouth affiliated activities such as sports to make them more attractive. We\nalso look forward to developing platforms for capacity building such as forums\nand seminars concerning conservation activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having won the #OceansDayChallenge2019, how did this impact your campaign for Better Blue Kenya?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This has been of great importance in my journey. It\nhas helped me get identified by people globally. Networks created through that\nplatform are helping me realize the objectives of my initiative. Recognition\nand support from global social media platforms have impacted positively on\nBetter Blue’s performance. People are enlightened and more aware of my\ninitiative thus fostering support and trust. Moreover, I have built confidence\nto approach matters speaking for the waters more vocally and boldly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is your concern about our ability as a country to create a more sustainable world<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I feel we are yet to get there. Efforts should be made to increase knowledge regarding sustainability for people to embrace and embed it in their initiatives\/ventures\/organizations. As a developing country, in our pursuit of economic growth and development, challenges of climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation should be taken into account for consideration. The economy cannot be productive if there are no resources to derive productivity and growth from in the first place. More often we are in pursuit of development with little focus on our choices, habits, and actions. If we do not sustainably utilize, protect and conserve what we have at the moment we will be the same ones to have sealed our fate for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What piece of advice would you offer to others seeking to create change in the sustainable world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing sustainability may not always be business as usual.\nSometimes it will even require you to pay and not getting paid. Building a\nsustainable world requires patience and passion. One step out of the door\npropels you closer to your dreams. Go after what you want and cultivate your\ninterests only then will your passion be fueled.  Also, follow your path and do not feel\nintimidated by those who have made it already. It is a journey and we all have\ndifferent paths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Often we tend to leave our paths\nand focus on other people’s and that’s what derails us from getting where we\nare destined to be. Don’t feel small. Maintain patience and trust the process<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Healthy oceans are the life support system for our planet, providing 97% of the Earth’s livable habitat and a home to more than 700,000 species. However, due to human activities,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5336,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[92,102],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5333","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-environmental-responsibility","category-interviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5333","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5333"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5333\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5333"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5333"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5333"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}