An interview with Lamech Opiyo, a multi-award winning Environmental Conservation Champion & Youth Leader, Climate Activist, Humanitarian, Rotaractor (Member of a Rotaract Club) & Chage Maker from Kenya.
Who Inspired you and why?
I was inspired by my fellow young change-makers who are passionate about the environment and are doing their best to take care of it. This challenged me to take action and be part of the change by championing for a better planet.
I was also inspired by the story of the late Prof. Wangari Maathai Nobel peace prize winner for her passion and bravery in championing for environmental conservation and human rights.
What are some of the best nature/Wildlife moments that you have witnessed?
I have been able to witness several nature and wildlife moments and the experiences has been exciting, heartwarming and phenomenal. For example, I have been able to do several safari adventures at the Nairobi national park and other national parks in Kenya. Seeing the Big 5 (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros) and other incredible wildlife in their natural habitat has been bucket-list experience for the number of times that I have gotten an opportunity to visit such places.
I have also been able to visit several forests, nature trails and conservancies. Some of these forests include the prestigious forests in Kenya e.g., Karura forest, Mt Kenya forest among others. Experiencing nature, the calmness, the beauty of these places has been quite fulfilling and I enjoy doing this most of the time. The interaction with the natural environment and wildlife and just understanding the relationship and interlinkages of these incredible creatures, human being and the natural environment is normally a great experience to me and inspires me to do more to preserve and conserve them.
What is one thing people can do to be more of Guardian in their Everyday lives?
I believe each and everyone of us has a key role to play in the conservation of our natural environment, our wildlife and biodiversity. Imagine if all of us can do a little bit of good wherever you are with whatever you have, imagine the greater impact that we can have on our planet. The power of small actions must not be underestimated, it’s these actions that when are combined together can create a bigger difference. Therefore, I believe each one of us of can be a guardian in their every day lives by taking small actions for example change in habits, mindset, behavior and attitude towards the environment, be environmental conscious and good stewards.
People can also be able to participate in community projects and initiatives that are geared towards conservation - this can be through volunteering in environmental conservation organizations and initiatives, clean ups among other things. People can also plant and grow trees, in their homes and farms and even participate in the local tree planting and growing initiatives. People can also practice the 3Rs in their day-to-day activities (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) for instance, having reusable water bottles, containers and shopping bags, conserving energy by turning off the lights and electronics when they are not in use, saving water, advocate for change and spread the awareness about the environmental issues , knowledge sharing and encourage the adoption of sustainable solutions and practices, consuming sustainably and carrying out other eco-friendly practices.
What makes you feel positive about the future of our natural world?
Despite all the challenges that the natural world is currently facing, there is still hope that things can be better, and this means that it will not be business as usual we have to act now. I am still very hopeful and positive about the future of our natural world because; youth activism is taking shape across the globe. Several likeminded individuals and young activists around the world are raising their voices and demanding action on climate change and environmental issues, influencing policy decisions and inspiring change. Most of them are also in the center stage of leading several projects and action-oriented projects.
There are also several conservation and restoration efforts. Many organizations and individuals are working tirelessly to protect and preserve natural habitats and wildlife. National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and marine protected areas are expanding to provide safe havens for numerous species. Since most of the people have started to realize the urgency that is needed to tackle the environmental issues before its late and being a topic of discussions in most parts of the world.
Also, there has been emphasis on innovative solutions. Scientists, young people and researchers are continuously developing innovative solutions, from carbon capture technologies to sustainable farming methods, to address environmental challenges that the world is facing, this makes me more hopeful that we can leverage on technological advancements to save our planet in different ways.
What do you think World Leaders could do better when it comes to protecting biodiversity and Environment?
Keep their promise, and turn their words into Action!!
The world leaders have an important role to play when it comes to protection of biodiversity and environment, they can do better by turning their words into action. Its not enough to just have international agreements but rather they should be stronger commitments that are acted upon. World leaders should prioritize and uphold international agreements such as the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Convention on Biological Diversity. They should work towards more ambitious targets and take concrete actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and halt biodiversity loss. This can lead a step further and create more hope for the people and the planet.
World leaders should be keen on effectively implementing and integrating policies on biodiversity and environmental protection. These policies can cut across economic development, agriculture, energy, and urban planning. This would help ensure that environmental considerations are not overlooked in pursuit of short-term economic gain. The problem for the longest time has not been on policy implementation, there are several policies that already exists, but the implementation bit is where the main problem is. The world leaders also need to strengthen global cooperation since environmental challenges are often global in nature, requiring international cooperation. They should collaborate across borders to address issues like transboundary pollution, illegal wildlife trade, and marine conservation. Leaders should focus on promoting sustainable development practices in their respective countries that balance economic growth with environmental conservation. Investing in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and green technologies can reduce the negative impact on ecosystem. They should put planet over profit and their individual desire.
Additionally, funding for biodiversity protections is key particularly since many of the countries suffering the greatest biodiversity loss have suffered from colonial oppression and extraction. The world leaders must ensure they stick more into this.
What does it mean to you personally to be a guardian?
To me, being a guardian means that I have a strong belief in the power of individual and collective bold actions. I also have a strong belief in creating hope through action. I have been championing for environmental and wildlife conservation in Kenya and beyond. I am happy to be part of this community of change-makers who have gone beyond the way to try their best in championing for positive change on our environment, wildlife and nature. I believe that by making it our moral responsibility to appreciate, conserve nature, biodiversity and wildlife, we can be able to collectively contribute to the sustainability and well-being of our planet for the current and future generations. By being a guardian of the forest, and through the incredible work that I do in conservation, I am able to inspire others into action and fight for a better planet together. I will continue to champion and lead by example in championing for environmental conservation, wildlife and biodiversity through bold actions, in my small way. I believe that it is the little things that you and me do is what makes a difference. Join me on this journey, will you?
What is your favorite animal?
Lion!