“Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors; we borrow it from our Children.”Ancient Indian Proverb. Higher Education is about the future vitality of our nation and our World. Our universities should play a critical role in enhancing conservation education, climate change, and sound environmental practices.

They educate for the future they have the responsibility to teach why we must “treat the earth well” and be models for our communities

Without action on Climate Change, anything else we do will be severely compromised, the development of an alternative economy that employs students and protects our environment from the effects of climate change have to be among the highest goals of the nation.

However, higher education is not powerless. As a sector, it is the economic bedrock of many communities and as influential in shaping public opinion as religion. Climate change affects everybody, especially students who will see dramatic changes in their lifetimes due to global warming. Schools in vulnerable areas such as coastlines will not be able to operate if their campuses are flooded by rising sea levels or devastated by hurricanes or flash floods and landslides in the rural areas. Without a livable climate, higher education, as well as all human endeavors, are irrelevant.

College and university campuses are critical in helping us to understand the impacts of climate change and how to adapt to a rapidly changing world. Given the systemic impact of climate change, it is prudent that future business owners, teachers, scientists, politicians, and other leaders understand the challenges they will face and are prepared to overcome them, there is also a need to provide them with the best chance for success in the monumental task in front of them; working to ensure prosperity, social equity and environmental integrity for all through the next century.

Climate change mitigation lectures should be introduced in the curriculums in both public and private institutions sensitize on Solutions such as ending fossil fuel subsidies, implementing a carbon tax, transitioning to renewables, and building green communities require collective action, changes to policy, and large-scale investments there is a need for involvement all of higher education, must be a driving force in continued examination of climate change and development of opportunities to assure cleaner more secure planet for future generations.

Although we are not able to control very many of the aspects of climate change, through united effort we may be able to mitigate the most damaging effects on humanity.

Education teaches us the importance of taking responsibility for our actions, and it is through collective action that the greatest feats can be accomplished. It is only when leadership on the federal and international level work together for the collective good that we will have any chance of faring well through the challenges wrought upon us by climate change.

As institutions dedicated to truth, justice, and human flourishing, higher education has all the justification it needs to be the most vocal advocate for climate change at all levels of decision making. Higher education is politically powerful. Its connection with people, its economic influence, its enormous intellectual and human capital, could easily make higher education the most effective advocate for climate change.

So far higher education has been largely absent from advocating for the solutions that we need.

Therefore, in addition to changing the curriculum, and reducing the influence of the market on higher education, their role will not only be to educate but should teach and engage in advocacy for the policies and solutions that we want. Some people find advocacy distasteful because they think it means protesting in the streets

Demonstrating is the most visible form of advocacy, but the majority of advocacy involves having conversations, writing letters, and conducting outreach and education.

The Nation needs to make drastic measures come up with a joint campus sustainability movement to make climate change an issue that higher education recognizes it should address, it is up to us to build on that momentum and advocate for the solutions that can make a real difference.

Climate change cannot be reversed by a single institution nor a single country. A collective intervention in the multitude of factors that impact climate change is necessary for success.

Effective leadership and federal/state policy must be based on research and education regarding climate and the environment, energy systems, along with human/social factors and behaviors

Climate action is prudent insurance against the uncertainties of continued warming on global environmental change and its implications for human health and well being as well as the integrity of ecosystems and diversity of life

We know the right side of this issue, so let us take a stand. The students of today and tomorrow will thank us.

The Sweetwaters Chimpanzees Sanctuary at Ol Pejeta Conservancy offers a second chance to Chimps rescued from the internationally banned pet trade. Chimps are not native to Kenya but when a rescue centre in Burundi closed due to civil war in 1993 Ol Pejeta opened its doors currently it is home to 39 Chimps.
They get to learn what it’s like to have friends and communicate with others of their kind, to clamber, unfettered, all the way up the tallest tree. They learn how to make a perfect nest of hay to sleep on, and how to get honey out of a hollow, using a stick. Begin to understand the hierarchy of his troop, its place in it and perhaps watch it change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nobody knows exactly how many chimpanzees are left in the wild. Counting chimpanzees is often very difficult and sometimes dangerous, Chimpanzees are shy and live in dense rainforest. In addition, many of their home countries are affected by civil war and extreme poverty, Wild chimpanzees are only found in Africa, with just 5 countries that still have significant populations: Gabon, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cameroon.

The worldwide illegal trade in captive chimpanzees (and other African ape species such as gorillas) that has arisen as a result of the bushmeat crisis of central and western Africa now threatens to completely overwhelm sanctuaries such as Sweetwaters and others like it across Africa.

Often whole chimpanzee and gorilla families are butchered, leaving behind infants that are captured alive for later export to zoos and medical institutions.  Heavily traumatized, these infants are occasionally intercepted in transit by government authorities. Sanctuaries such as Sweetwaters are called upon to provide refuge.

Come meet the 39 cheeky chimps waiting to say hello!!

Though living in the same environment, and housed in the same area, the chimps portray a wide and diverse character trait from each other “fact is we have a 98.6% gene similarity” these cousins of ours.

The following are 7 of the outstanding traits of different chimps;

Name: Max

Origin: Burundi

Year Rescued: 1996

Age: 31

Max spent his first years with a French film crew from whom he was confiscated in 1990.  When he first arrived at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary his physical condition was poor and he was very nervous and aggressive.  His insecurities led him to form a close and special relationship with the night watchman- to this day he gravitates toward men in uniform

The all-time children’s favourite chimps, if you’re ever close to the platform and hear kids burst it laughter Max must be on stage pulling one of his many stunts to attract everyone’s attention keeps everyone on the edge.

Max is one heck of a troublemaker throwing stuff to visitors anything that he can get his grip on i.e. sticks and stones this fashion police is no fan of bright colours.

Looking at this male, makes you wonder whether chimpanzees can develop psychological dwarfism which I tend to believe is a phenomenon that may occur in human children on response to maternal deprivation. Showing marked retardation on growth and body development, of which no physical cause can be detected

Name: Poco

Origin: Burundi

Year Rescued: 1995

Age: 38

Meet everyone’s favorite chimp “the tallest boy in the building” rescued from a horrific 9 year trauma of being caged in an upright position in front of a petrol station in Burundi to “attract customers” these inhumane treatment makes him fond of standing and walking on his two feet that makes him stand out from the rest of the crowd through his bipedal swagger.

Poco likes to blow kisses to his fans who cheer him as he entertains them at the platform with his partner in crime Max, their fame exceeds their reputation the two are hardly missed at the platform they would rather go for lunch late than leave the platform unattended

Pocos prowess in entertaining people shows hope of the chimps. A second chance in life where they can enjoy life and live a natural life with the wonderful environment.

Name: Ali Kaka

Origin: South Sudan

Year Rescued: 2002

Age: 18

By the sheer size of his body and his tough demeanour he is the dominant male in one of the families, this is one guy with zero chills top on the pecking order he is the big boss and you don’t want to shove shoulders with.

He’s the top Alfa male of the old chimps groups always coming up with ingenious ways to try and shortcircuit the perimeter fence.

Name: Alley

Origin: Burundi

Year Rescued: 1995

Age:23

If you thought there are no slay queens in the animal kingdom then here’s your proof and on top of that, one of the most interesting lady in the crowd, she is very good at gestures, and use of sign language for example when you call her, she is very responsive and must definitely take the opportunity to show off with her natural charms.

She makes loud kissing noises, a habit she had apparently picked up in the bar of the Hotel du Lac (lakeside hotel) where she had been kept before I.N.E.C.N had confiscated her.

When you think you’ve seen it all were just getting started, clapping to attract attention and if you give her a cold shoulder wait for it!! She gets naughty and spits at people from time to time.

Alley is one handy expert when it comes to innovation and using tools making her one of the most brilliant Chimp in the sanctuary if you were moved by Michael Scofield’s prison break stunts this is one natural Hollywood star yet to be identified.

Surprisingly this mischievous escape artist is one of the best nannies for the group and a wonderful keen groomer often found caring for the young ones 

Name: Mary

Origin: South Sudan

Year Rescued: 2002

Age: 18

Well well well!! Meet the “diva” of the house she can be a handful when she is on her many mood swings she will give you some million-dollar attitude and sometimes doesn’t even have the time to look at the visitors.

 To top it all up she is the dominant female (in one of the groups) responsible for keeping it in check so no monkey business when she is around, very close friend to Saidia whom they came together from Sudan a natural matriarch she took her in as a sister a protects her whenever a fight breaks.

For no apparent reason, she is always on a scuffle with Max.

Name: Judy

Origin: Nairobi brought in by Kal Aman

Year Rescued: 1994

Age: 34

Sadly she is paralyzed, got polio when she was young.

Her beauty and humbleness cannot pass your eye, throwing her charm to the keepers and visitors. The ideal example of a mother and a responsible family member watching her makes you realize just how much we humans have to learn from our distance cousins when it comes to maternal care and love.

Judy is one handy lady when it comes to innovation and using tools, a keen onlooker and an intelligent lady.

Name: William

Origin: South Sudan

Year Rescued: 2002

Age: 18

The dominant and alpha male in one side of the family, a fully grown male and a force to reckon with, Williams charisma is easily noticed he is an excellent leader a perfect example of a father figure he pays keen attention to very tiny things and likes everything in place.

Well, am sure their recovery story must have inspired you!! make plans to visit the sanctuary over the bear in mind there are way more interesting stories from the guides who are also their keepers thus have a very close interaction with the other chimps, and way more interesting personalities to share about the rest of them. The sanctuary is open every day for visitors to the Conservancy.

Feel free to leave your comments once you meet the chimps

I am almost certain you have no idea what an Aardvark is unless you are one heck of a keen and dedicated ecologist or conservationist if you have come across this peculiar animal count yourself in lucky to be in a very short list of people who have had this rare opportunity to see this magnificent animal.

It’s almost impossible to come across this shy and strictly nocturnal animal during the daytime

Apparently, its Swahili name is “Mhanga” I’ve got no clue what relevance it has to the Swahili saying “Kujitolea mhanga” if you have the slightest clue please enlighten us by posting after you complete reading.

Strangely these shy animals live throughout Africa, south of the Sahara. Their name comes from South Africa’s Afrikaans language and means “earth pig.” A glimpse of the aardvark’s body and long snout brings the pig to mind. On closer inspection, the aardvark appears to include other animal features as well. It boasts rabbitlike ears and a kangaroo tail yet the aardvark is related to none of these animals.

LIFE OF AN AARDVARK

Aardvarks are nocturnal. They spend the hot African afternoon holed up in cool underground burrows dug with their powerful feet and claws that resemble small spades. After sunset, aardvarks put those claws to good use in acquiring their favourite food termites. (I guess you have now figured out why you probably have never come across one)

While foraging in grasslands and forests aardvarks, also called “antbears,” may travel several miles a night in search of large, earthen termite mounds. A hungry aardvark digs through the hard shell of a promising mound with its front claws and uses its long, sticky, wormlike tongue to feast on the insects within. It can close its nostrils to keep dust and insects from invading its snout, and its thick skin protects it from bites. It uses a similar technique to raid underground ant nests.
If you ever wander off during a game drive a hit an Aardvark hole my friend believe me you will never ever drive off-road, some of their burrows are extensively deep Hyenas are so fond of them as their bungalows because of their various compartments.
Female aardvarks typically give birth to one newborn each year. The young remain with their mother for about six months before moving out and digging their own burrows,(mansions) which can be extensive dwellings with many different openings. 
But there’s hope to come across this magnificent species a night game drive at the great Ol Pejeta Conservancy the window of opportunity a reality to see not only the aardvark but also other numerous nocturnal animals that you will most certainly never come across them in the daytime, make a date reserve your night game drive www.olpejetaconservancy.org