No words – MEP Delegation to Kenya – Energy for All 2030
Nairobi, Kenya, NairobiSeptember 13th, 2011
Helen Marsh
Helen works for Practical Action's fundraising team in the UK, and is currently visiting our projects in Peru and Bolivia.
Recommended reading: http://www.practicalaction.org.uk
Posts by Helen
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September 13th, 2011If you’ve heard of a ‘slum’ chances are it’s Kibera.
‘Home’ to anywhere between 750,000 – 1 million people, Kibera is the largest informal settlement in East Africa (and yet it covers less than 2 miles).
The Kenyan authorities refuse to recognise Kibera and the people who live there, even though it’s one of the first things the decision-makers see in the morning from their grand houses on the hill over-looking the expanse of tin roofs. To acknowledge Kibera would mean that they have a responsibility to provide basic services; water, sanitation, education and electricity – which they won’t commit to.
And so the people exist without them. I use ‘exist’ purposefully. Kibera is, without question, the most miserable and maddening place I have ever visited.
I’m writing this blog late at night as I can’t sleep. Can’t quite process what I have seen. Can’t quite understand how and why families are forced to try and survive in such circumstances.
How is it possible that on this planet of ours, such poverty can exist alongside such plenty?
All that you have heard about Kibera is true … and ten-fold. Free-flowing faeces, huge mounds of waste, homes made from cardboard. No space, no privacy, no dignity. And, amongst all of this, hundreds and hundreds of children and hundreds and hundreds of ‘howareyou’s – an image I just can’t seem to shake.
And yet, there is also an underlying dynamism, energy and entrepreneurial spirit. It’s not life as we know it (and not, in my opinion, life as anyone should know it), but here businesses are established, families grow and people will fight to improve their lives.
But that’s despite, not because of, their circumstances.
I’m humbled, enraged and overwhelmed by Kibera, but the one thing I’m clear on is the need for solutions, however small.
… and thanks to Practical Action and other NGOs there are some. I’ll share them in my next blog (once I’ve had some sleep).
Helen
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One in 3,917 – MEP delegation to Kenya – Energy for All 2030
Marine Dr, Kisumu, Kenya, Kisumu
September 8th, 2011Naomi is one in a million. Well, to be more specific, one in 3,917.
That’s how many families that have improved their lives (and homes) through a Practical Action energy access project in Western Kenya.
Specifically, we are working with women across Kisumu to introduce ‘fuel-efficient stoves’ (which require 50% less wood), ‘smoke hoods’ (which remove toxic smoke from the kitchen – which more often than not doubles as a bedroom) and ‘fireless cookers’ (which, as the name suggests, cook food without fuel).
… and one of these women is Naomi. I could tell her story as one of sorrow and struggle – widowed young, 6 children (3 adopted), a basic existence. But that wouldn’t be true. Naomi is a tenacious, self-made, magnificent woman working as a local mobiliser with Practical Action.
Under Naomi’s watch, 200 local women have been trained to make and install simple and effective technologies to reduce wood useage and remove smoke from the home.
I guess that doesn’t sound so dramatic if you’re reading this back in the UK. But, I promise you, having spent time today in a home cooking on an open fire (which brought tears to my eyes, in both senses), it’s life-changing.
But more than that, it’s life-saving.
With 1.4 million lives lost to indoor smoke each year, no wonder Naomi and the Practical Action team are so passionate. If you had a solution to such needless loss of life, wouldn’t you be too?
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‘A woman’s work is never done’ – MEP Delegation to Kenya – Energy for All
Marine Dr, Kisumu, Kenya, Kisumu
September 6th, 2011I never imagined that a 5am start, for a 3km trek, ankle deep in leech-infested water would make for one of the more memorable experiences of my life.
It’s day one of our fact-finding visit and today we are in Kisumu, Western Kenya. Here we are learning about energy poverty and simple energy solutions for rural communities.
… and what better way to do that than by collecting and carrying wood for the family fire.
The entire community of Kadibo, Kisumu live without electricity and, like half the world’s population, cook on traditional open-fires in their homes.
Fuelling that fire is gruelling work … and it’s also women’s work.
We meet Philshongo, Dorothy and Joyce who each spend a day per week collecting, cutting, stripping, drying and carrying firewood.
It’s no easy task, and not just for me as a ‘novice’. Even for the ‘experts’ felling trees with machetes and head-loading 15kg of wood breaks a sweat.
One small tree (of say five years), once stripped and cut, equates to just a couple of days firewood.
But these women have no other option – there is so little firewood to forage that they have to jeopardise their tomorrow – i.e chopping down trees, to meet their needs today – i.e feeding their families.
As the least domesticated female I know (I’m no ‘Nigella’) I’ve never felt any association with the phrase, ‘A woman’s work is never done’ but here in Kadibo it’s the most true of truisms.
I can’t wait to see the Practical Action’s giving these, and thousands of other women, the opportunity to make their lives that little bit better.
Helen
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MEP delegation – Kenya – Energy for All 2030
Bourton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire CV23 9, UK, Bourton on Dunsmore
September 4th, 2011With the final tweaks made to the itinerary, the briefing packs sent and Members of the European Parliament on their way to the airport, we are ready to embark on our fact-finding visit to Kenya.
Five intensive days, four diverse locations, three Members of the European Parliament, two huge rucksacks each and one objective – to provide key decision-makers with the information and inspiration to take action on energy for development.
With the formal preparation complete, last night I set about preparing myself for the delegation:
* On-line check in …
* Print boarding card …
* Shower …
* Dry/Straighten hair …
* Iron clothes …
* Charge phone …
* Last-minute Lonely Planet reading …
… none of which could have been completed without the power being [ON].
A simple and telling ‘note to self’ that i couldn’t live my life without access to energy and nor should women and men across the developing world.
In Kenya, where 2 out of 3 families live without electricity, Practical Action is providing communities with the skills, technology and power to challenge their poverty.
The solutions exist. We can achieve Energy for All in the next two decades, but not without political will and international financing.
Let’s hope this visit convinces the decision-makers that it’s a challenge worth tackling.
Helen
Campaigner
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UN Climate talks – what a difference a day makes …
Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Cancún
December 11th, 2010Just 24 hours ago civil society, press pundits and a number of
negotiators were anticipating the failure of the UN climate talks (and
no hopes for a deal to meet the needs of the worlds poorest people).There was talk of “the death of multi-lateralism” and yet, at (quite
literally) the last minute the Parties took a gamble.All bets were off … The stakes were incredibly high … And the
unexpected winners look to be developing countries …It may not be the “jackpot” ( no fair and binding global deal was
reached) but there were some real winnings to be shared out.Perhaps the biggest prize is the new global climate fund which has
been announced- it will have a board made up of more developing
countries than developed countries (hurrah!) and should be the one
stop shop for climate funding.Now we just need to make sure it doesn’t end up as an empty fund and that a large amount is earmarked for adaptation – the need of poor
women, men and children right now.So we leave Cancun with restored faith in the process and a renewed
energy that change (not just climatic) can and must happen.
Adios amigos!Helen
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UN climate talks – UK – 60 by 30?
December 8th, 2010To be clear, I don’t really see myself as having a national identity or loyalty. Fond as I am of our ‘green and pleasant land’ I would prefer to see myself as a ‘world citizen’ (if only it didn’t sound so naff!)Yesterday though, I felt relatively proud to be a ‘Brit’.
- Firstly, the UK Committee on Climate Change called for the UK to raise the global bar – by setting the target of reducing UK emissions by 60% by 2030. It’s bold and ambitious but let’s hope our government listens to the advice from the Committee set up to … advise them on climate targets.
- Secondly, having attended a session with the UK’s Sir Nicholas Stern – an inspiring tour de force in the field – I’m more clear than ever that the neccessity to cut carbon emissions is also hugely desirable.
In his words,’ … we are talking about a new industrial revolution, transforming the way we see and do things. It’s time we started looking at the opportunities rather than the costs’.
The task is huge – essentially to almost halve the carbon emissions of each person in the next decade (from 7 tonnes to 4) - but it’s this change of spirit, focusing on the positives, which will be the power behind the new industrial revolution.
And it’s the positives, the solutions, that Practical Action focuses on. To find out more, click here …HelenCampaigns1 Comment » | Add your comment -
UN Climate talks – ‘if you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with’?
December 7th, 2010I’m a romantic and an optimist.
I don’t believe you should settle for second best and I hold the same principle for the UN climate talks.
We all desperately want Cancun to be a success – it’s in the best interests of every one of the 6 billion of us on the planet.
So, Practical Action, with over 200 other NGOs is pushing to ensure that, at the very least, a fair ‘Global Climate Fund’ is launched during the negotiations. A tangible sign of progress.
However, in the rush to see the Fund established it’s crucial that it delivers in the best way possible for poor communities. The spirit of ‘if you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with’ cannot apply here.
The Fund has to be fair and should therefore cover the following:
1) The Fund needs to be managed under the UN process
2) It should be the ‘one stop shop’ for the vast majority of funds for climate change
3) 50% of all money through the Fund must be for climate adaptation
4) Its Board cannot be donor dominated – developing country voices must be heard
A fair Fund is overdue. Now is the time to deliver for the world’s poorest people.
Helen
Campaigns
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UN climate talks – dont go Zombie …
December 6th, 2010Zombie films are scary.
So are zombie negotiations.
As we enter the second, and crucial, week of the UN climate talks we need to see a step-change in the ambition and commitment of all 192 countries here in Cancun.
If not, there are fears that we could see a ‘zombie scenario’ – where talks continue but are effectively dead.
We can’t afford for this to happen. Nor can the millions of women, men and children living uncertain futures on the front-line of climate change.
We need to encourage and applaud those groups and countries, such as the EU, Norway, Switzerland and New Zealand, openly showing their support for a second commitment of the Kyoto Protocol (setting binding emission targets).
And we need to cast a light on countries such as Japan, Canada and Russia who are unlikely to do the same, effectively meaning that after 2012 (when the first period of the Kyoto Protocol ends) there will be no international, binding agreement with regard to climate change.
Just like in a zombie movie, failure to make real progress this week will ultimately result in death and devastation.
It’s time for negotiators to wake up and put their politics to one side, for the sake of the world’s poorest people.
Helen
Campaigns
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UN Climate talks – … and the survey says …
December 5th, 2010Yes, that’s right, I’m alluding to the popular Saturday night gameshow, ‘Family MISfortunes’.
Communications giant, Ogilvy, commissioned a survey on the attitudes of attendees at the UN Climate talks in Cancun. The results made for interesting reading so I thought I’d share a few with you:
- 56% of people interviewed believe that irreversible climate harm has now been caused
- The majority of people interviewed believe that efforts to limit human influence on climate change are at a standstill
- 83% of those questioned agree that climate change will only be addressed once countries are suffering real consequences
It’s the last statistic which startled me most.
Countries are suffering real consequences, right now.
Farmers in Sri Lankan paddy fields, Alpaca herders in the high Andes and fisherfolk in Bangladesh (to name just a few) are feeling the effects of our changing climate and have done for a number of years.
In fact, Practical Action only started focusing on climate change because the communities we work with made us take notice and challenged us to help them to adapt.
So it’s time for us to get real and start recognising that the time to act on climate change is now. Sod the survey results – the women, men and children across developing countries cannot wait …
Helen
Campaigns
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UN Climate talks – Bolivia bites back …
December 2nd, 2010So, I hear it’s snowing in the UK.
Well, there’s a chill in the air here too.
Outside, the Mexican sun is pushing temperatures to a heady 28c but inside, around the negotiating tables, it must be feeling a bit frosty.
Yesterday we heard that Bolivia (the poorest country in Latin America, one of the lowest global CO2 emitters yet hard hit by climate change) is taking a tough stance.
In many senses this is nothing new – Bolivia stood firm at the climate negotiations in Copenhagen and are pushing for the most dramatic ceiling on the global temperature rise.
The Bolivian delegation feels that the Copenhagen accord (the non-binding ‘statement of intent’ from last year’s climate talks) is so weak that it’s not worth them supporting.
Developing countries have failed to uphold their pledges so many times that the Bolivians are holding out for THE ‘fair and binding’ deal.
Having visited Bolivia earlier this year, and seeing for myself the harshness of the climatic changes and communities’ determination to maintain and adapt their culture – for the sake of their survival – I personally can’t condemn the Bolivians for their position.
Why shouldn’t we hold out and demand for the international deal that will make the difference needed?
Helen
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