Kenya to host launch of ‘The 2024 State of Africa's Environment Report’ in September
MESHA Board Member John Riaga (left), NEMA Director General Mamo Boru Mamo, Down to Earth Magazine’s Richard Mahapatra, CSE Director General Sunita Narain and her colleague Souparno Banerjee during the launch of the State of Africa Environment Report 2023 in Nairobi. Photo/MESHA
The 2024 State of Africa's Environment report is set to be unveiled in Nairobi, Kenya, this September, as announced by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the organization responsible for the report's publication.
In a recent call for media participation in the three-day event, the Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA) and CSE revealed that this year's report will focus on the critical issue of water across the African continent.
Following the report's release, a media briefing will take place to discuss various aspects of the findings and other pertinent issues relevant to Africa's environment.
This marks the second consecutive year of this significant report's launch, with last year's edition underscoring the importance of environmental health in achieving sustainable development across Africa.
The 2023 report provided an in-depth analysis of topics such as climate change, wildlife and biodiversity, agriculture and land degradation, water and sanitation, and the emerging challenges of waste management.
Richard Mahapatra, Managing Editor of Down To Earth and head of the report's Editorial Board, stated that over 100 journalists, researchers, and experts from across Africa contributed to the report, offering country-specific insights that were synthesized into a comprehensive continental perspective.
Key findings from the 2023 report highlighted that Africa has been disproportionately affected by climate change, despite its minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. The research also explored Africa's capacity for self-reliance in food production and the detrimental effects of poor governance on food security.
MESHA Chairman Bozo Jenje Bozo emphasized that the decade-long partnership between CSE and MESHA is rooted in a shared commitment to advancing science journalism, making the release of this report highly significant for both organizations.
Interested individuals are encouraged to send inquiries to info@meshascience.org or visit the Centre for Science and Environment's website for more details on the event.
This launch follows closely after WWF Kenya's "Journey of Water" campaign, which urged communities along rivers and water bodies to safeguard these vital resources, recognizing their crucial role in maintaining water quality.
According to government reports, 9.9 million Kenyans still lack access to clean water, a challenge that authorities aim to address through strategic partnerships.
Those with questions are encouraged to contact, Sukanya Nair from CSE Media Resource Centre via email address sukanya.nair@cseindia.org or +91-8816818864 (WhatsApp number).