Coastal counties urged to equip youth with green skills

"Counties should establish an e-platform documenting details of youths with green skills, identify opportunity and support the linkages for enhanced livelihood," he said.

Efforts are currently underway to establish a green wall of mangrove trees along the coastlines as part of climate change mitigation. This collaborative endeavor involves both state and non-state actors.

Mangroves, the unique trees that thrive in saltwater environments, form a substantial forest covering 60,000 hectares along the Kenyan coastline, equivalent to about three percent of the natural forest cover. They are located in Lamu, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, and Tana River counties. Unfortunately, these trees face threats from human activities.

Studies indicate that mangroves are exceptional carbon absorbers, storing vast amounts of carbon due to their waterlogged sediments. Their carbon absorption capacity exceeds that of terrestrial forests by five times.

Addressing the issue, youth groups advocating for climate change action propose a strategic shift in the coastal counties' approach to make the mangrove planting campaign a source of income for unemployed youths.

Obiero highlighted that the County's fiscal strategy paper has consistently focused on specific priority areas, leaving minimal attention to water, natural resources, and climate resilience - emerging concerns that deserve more significant consideration.

The youths contend that green and sustainable climate initiatives encounter challenges due to insufficient resources and untapped potential.

"The allocation of resources to green energy initiatives has been insufficient, hindering our ability to tap into the vast potential of solar and wind energy generation," said Obiero.

Leveraging Mombasa County's annual mean temperature of 27.9C, with minimum and maximum temperatures of 22.7C and 33.1C, respectively, the youths underscored the region's capacity to harness solar and wind energy for the development of green jobs.

To address these issues, the youth urge the County to allocate substantial resources to the Department of Water, Natural Resources, and Climate Resilience. They further call for the establishment of a Mombasa Sustainable Energy Policy to attract green energy technology investors.

Advocating for community awareness, the youths encourage the county government to launch campaigns that educate residents about the benefits of green energy and its potential for job creation.

Additionally, the youth groups propose the establishment of a green skills internship mentorship program to connect young individuals with potential employers and enhance their career growth.

In their pursuit of a greener future, the youths also petition for the integration of Green Skills for Youth Training and Mentorship within county planning and budgeting by the next Financial Year (FY2024/25) and the completion of the development of a youth policy.

Obiero added, "Embracing green job opportunities can effectively tackle youth unemployment challenges, reduce our carbon footprint, and pave the way for a sustainable and prosperous future for Mombasa County."