Kaburu Anthony: Infrastructure for social and economic development...

Kaburu Anthony: Infrastructure for social and economic development...: More than 1.2 billion people in the developing world still have no access to electricity; about 783 million people lack access to clean wat...

Infrastructure for social and economic development, and a more sustainable world

More than 1.2 billion people in the developing world still have no access to electricity; about 783 million people lack access to clean water; 2.4 billion do not have adequate sanitation; 2.8 billion people still cook their food with solid fuels; and one billion people live more than two kilometers from an all-weather road.

African countries need to promote industrial development to spur economic progress and reduce poverty, according to a recent report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Africa's share of global manufacturing is drastically disproportionate to its population. While 15 percent of the world's population lives in Africa, only about one percent of global manufacturing takes place there.

The need for infrastructure development is the great global challenges of our time. There is an essential and growing demand for infrastructure to address critical global issues such as climate change, energy demands, water and food shortages, mass urbanisation and economic and social development.

To satisfy this need effectively and deliver lasting economic and social development the world needs the collective leadership, experience and creativity of the infrastructure community.

There is clear evidence that Investment in infrastructure leads to the growth of a countries economy and the improved wellbeing of its people. The McKinsey Global Institute recently estimated that over the next fifteen year the world needs to spend $57 trillion on infrastructure to realise global economic growth ambitions. In the UK alone infrastructure spending may need to run at £40bn to £50bn each year up to 2030 to meet demand.

Around the world Investment in infrastructure has always played a leading role in economic development, from the roads and aqueducts of ancient Rome to the railway boom in Britain in the mid 19th century. Basic infrastructure – roads, railways, airports, for energy generation and supply, water supply, sanitation, etc. underpins sustainable development and economic transformation of emerging economies.

A few years ago KPMG published a list that showcased 100 of the most ambitious and exciting infrastructure projects from around the world. All the projects listed will contribute to the economic growth in the countries in which they are based and improve the lives of millions of people.

Infrastructure investment is needed in developing countries to expand: transport systems (road, rail, airports, ports, waterways, etc.); energy generation, supply and transmission; water collection and supply; sanitation systems; communications systems (telecommunications, internet, etc.). Such investments will lead to very rapid economic and social development.

In developed countries the economic and social improvements are not quite so pronounced because they are starting from a higher position in terms of the national economy and social conditions but there are still clear improvements. In particular at times of recession or economic downturn when investment in infrastructure is often used to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

"The human suffering and financial costs of the impacts of climate change are enormous, affecting both rich and poor countries alike."

Climate change is a reality and the consequences are devastating – rising sea levels, decreasing fresh water resources, extreme droughts, storms and flooding, etc. The human suffering and financial costs of the impacts of climate change are enormous, affecting both rich and poor countries alike. In 2005 Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans causing over $125 billion of damage, killing over 1000 people and displacing whole communities.

But it is developing countries that lack the infrastructure and resources to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change and it is the world’s poorest people that suffer more than others when disasters hit such as the earthquakes in Nepal in 2015, Haiti earthquake in 2010, the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004, Bhola cyclone 1970, Huang He floods of 1930, etc. 

Contributing to climate change are the critical levels of atmospheric CO2 levels which will continue to grow with increasing global energy demand unless action is taken. Appropriate sustainable infrastructure is needed to: mitigate and adapt to the consequences of climate change; and to develop and deploy clean energy technologies to energy efficiency to make substantial and long term reductions in global greenhouse gas emission.

Infrastructure investments can also help improve peace and security by enabling, sustaining and enhancing societal living conditions and the welfare of people in developing countries. Infrastructure connects communities and countries with market, health and education facilities, gives access to clean water, sanitation and power, and improves livelihoods and generates employment creating the conditions for lasting peace.

For a better, greener, safer and more sustainable world the infrastructure community must unite at national, regional and global level to deliver the global sustainable infrastructure we need. We must all collaborate and take a lead in the financing, planning, designing, construction, operating, managing and maintenance of major future global infrastructure programmes.

Kaburu Anthony: The impacts of social media in combating Climate C...

Kaburu Anthony: The impacts of social media in combating Climate C...: The Climate Change Phenomenon is indeed a big challenge globally and concerted efforts must be geared towards reducing our vulnerability as...

The impacts of social media in combating Climate Change

The Climate Change Phenomenon is indeed a big challenge globally and concerted efforts must be geared towards reducing our vulnerability as a people and as a continent. The situation is even further compounded by the fact that in most countries, climate change remains a marginal issue to the pressing issue of food availability and security, political crises, poverty, natural resource management, energy access and social infrastructure. 

Many people, organizations, etc. are working to control Climate Change. But some of them confused and unaware of how to start the Climate Change Campaign that can reach millions of people globally within the shortest time possible.

Media is the best tool for Climate Change Campaign in every aspect. Electron media, Print media, Social Media, etc. These are now trending for a campaign and obviously, it can more effective to a change. People habitually utilize that type of source to collect some news and inspiration from them.

As more people around the world gain regular access to the Internet, online and social media are becoming significant contexts in which they come into contact with. Social media like #Facebook, #Twitter, #Instagram, #Pinterest, #LinkedIn etc currently constitute a completely reasonable source for any campaign throughout the world. 

We have seen where social media is a powerful tool for communication. Although social media is simply a tool, it's up to all of us to make a change, social media can be used to educate and sensitize, which in turn may influence our actions and the steps we take towards climate change actions.

The matter of climate change will require real time and constant communication. It will require a communication space that is far-reaching and can facilitate discussion and mobilization. We should move quickly to leverage the power and reach of social media to positively influence modifications in behavior, to thwart or mitigate the effects of climate change, therefore causing desired behaviors.

But in order to adjust our #ClimateAction campaigns, there is need for urgent collaboration with all organizations like #UNFCC , #WorldBank, #UNEnvironment ,#UNDP, #SocialMedia networks/companies and all other partners for the same cause, engagement and support , This will enable #ClimageChangeCampaigners globally to spread #ClimateActions gospel faster than it could before it gets too late.

Social Media networks must play a big role in saving our globe and indeed saving their businesses, they should support and promote all our #ClimateAction campaigns at a zero rate, this will enable us reach to a bigger audience thus reaching to millions of people globally within the shortest time it deserves.

It's time to get our act together and do something that will save our planet from global environmental disaster. Saving our environment from environmental issues means ensuring wellbeing for our future generations and giving them chance to enjoy in many beauties this planet has to offer instead of crying at the broking legacy that was left to them by their irresponsible and selfish ancestors.

Leaders across the continent must recognize a common set of interests in promoting global #ClimateAction campaigns that will mitigate the human behaviors contributing to climate change and allow the continent to adapt to the effects which are already being felt.

The most important idea to remember is that saving the planet can start right now, this is the moment where we need to decide, If we all do as much as we can, then collectively we'll make a big difference. When we put it all together, these are minor changes with big effects, Let us get serious about climate change #SocialMediaClimateChangeCampaigns #ClimateChangeAction #GlobalAssignment

Kaburu Anthony: The climate is changing. But what does this mean?

Kaburu Anthony: The climate is changing. But what does this mean?: We are already experiencing impacts from climate change as a result of global warming, including deadly heat waves, extreme weather events,...

The climate is changing. But what does this mean?

We are already experiencing impacts from climate change as a result of global warming, including deadly heat waves, extreme weather events, and threats to life on earth. There is no denying that human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels and destruction to our natural environment, is behind global warming. 

What is climate change?

We are hearing it more and more: the climate is changing. But what does it mean? The climate is seen as the normal weather in a specific area. For example, the temperatures in the Amazon are always high and it is raining almost every day, while on the Antarctic it is always freezing and almost no rain falls. When the normal temperature and the amount of rain in a specific area changes, there is a transition in the normal weather. This is climate change. Not only in specific areas climate change is observed, all over the world the consequences of climate change are felt.

What is causing climate change?

Changes in the climate are not something new. In the past, natural factors, such as volcanic eruptions and El Niño, caused fluctuations in the temperature and rainfall. What is new, is the influence of humans on climate change. We drive our cars, are heating our houses when it is cold outside, and use energy to cook. These day to day activities cause the emission of greenhouse gasses, such as methane and carbon. These gasses prevent the heat emitted by the earth the escape, causing global warming.

What are the consequences of climate change?

Global warming has various consequences. Heat waves occur more often, rainfall becomes more intense and the sea level rises. Especially within vulnerable areas, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, the consequences of climate change are felt on a daily basis.

Extreme heat and the lack of rain cause drought, with crop failure as a consequence. When rain does arrive, the showers are really intense, leaving no time for the water to infiltrate into the soil, causing it to flood to lower areas, washing away the fertile top layer of the soil. A process called erosion. It leads to degradation of the land, making it hard to grow crops, causing a decline of vegetation and maintain the land to be dry.

 This could lead to food shortage for the local communities. Since they are not assured to have food, the people migrate to other areas, hoping to find fertile soil where they can grow their crops. These people are also called climate refugees. They are forced to flee due to the consequences of climate change.

How can we solve climate change?

We can do this with help of regreening! Recent studies show that nature-based solutions can contribute up to 37% of the carbon emission intake required to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. Vegetation cause the sequestration of carbon, decreasing the amount carbon in the atmosphere and subsequently reducing the greenhouse effect, ultimately leading to the mitigation of global warming.

Vegetation also causes cooling of the soil, decreasing the evaporation of water from the soil leading to increased water availability for plants, animals and humans. In addition, greening stimulates the water cycle, causing increased rainfall and the retention of water in the soil. This increasement of the soil moisture content makes the land available for agriculture again, producing food and income for the local communities.

In conclusion, Global warming has caused serious changes to the planet, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, deforestation, disappearance of species... But, as individuals we can slow down global warming by implementing small more sustainable actions within our community.

The global population has more power than it realizes to demand measures from governments to raise global awareness about #ClimateAction because it’s increasingly clear that #ClimateChange will impact us all, no matter where we live or who we voted for. We must find a way to move forward with solutions, despite our differences. 

Kaburu Anthony: Rethinking the Solution to Ending World Hunger

Kaburu Anthony: Rethinking the Solution to Ending World Hunger: Over the last 30 years, significant progress has been made towards reducing poverty and global hunger. However, one in every eight people l...