The Role of the Media in Preparation of Climate Change in Kenya

Abstract

limate change has affected all the aspects of human life and has been declared a universal phenomenon and its diverse consequences can impact on loss of biodiversity and affecting on fundamental human rights especially those groups that already are politically and economically in a sorry state (Dirk Niebel a tourist at dadaab refugee camp). Detectable increase in temperatures, rise in sea levels, increased cases of flooding and erosion, changes in the level of precipitation, changes in rainfall patterns, increased cases of storms, increased water scarcity are just but among the few of the effects which are affecting mostly the emerging economies and developing countries who are trying to fight poverty in these economically turbulent times. In today‟s world, climate change stands as one of the greatest challenges facing mankind and his existence. The United Nations has recently discussed this issue at the conference on sustainable development in Rio de Janeiro. Climatic conditions in Kenya has always varied according to physical structure which is viewed as hot and humid along the coastal region, hot and dry in the Northern region and cool and wet in central and western parts of the country. Kenya experiences mainly two rainy seasons, long rains from March to May and short rains from October to November. Temperatures in hotter areas are at 30 degrees at average while the cooler areas like Nairobi for example are averaged at 25 degrees Celsius. The aim of this study therefore seeks to explore the significance of the media in highlighting climate change in Kenya. The national taskforce in Kenya obligated with finding ways of mitigating with adverse effects of climate change recognized that global warming is real. The general dwindling of food production, increased pandemics, heavy floods and declining water towers and the changing periods of prolonged droughts witnessed in the country are as to the effects of climate change. There has been a lot of weather alteration and the rainfall pattern keeps reducing yearly