Ugandan children push for environment protection laws

Over 500 children from various schools in and around Kampala met at the multi-cultural Rainbow International School to celebrate the World Earth day and debate environment and climate issues.

Celebrated on April 22, the annual international climate change children's conference provided a forum for children to exchange ideas on climate change with representatives from UNICEF, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Uganda Little Hands Go Green and the convenor Drashna Kotecha.
   
During a question and answer session, the pupils grilled the representatives on why issues of climate are treated as an afterthought. They challenged government and other stakeholders to enact environment protection laws as a matter of urgency.

The delegates presented drama skits, poems, songs and PowerPoint presentations on saving the environment. Greenhill Academy and Rainbow International School impressed most with their presentations.

Joseph Masembe, the CEO of Little Hands Go Green, was impressed by the way the pupils exhibited tremendous initiative that will spark positive environmental change in their communities.

"Earth Day is the largest, most recognisable face of the environmental movement. We want good green things but let us not just want them, let's protect them, let us prepare these children for the future. So that when they become members of parliament or work for big organizations, they don't pass laws that affect the environment," Masembe said.

Little Hands Go Green is an organization championing good environmental practices by using children.

"We want every child to plant fruit trees in towns, villages and everywhere. We should do this because we care about the children, the environment and the future," added Masembe.
        
Still on Friday, leaders from 160 countries officially signed the Paris Climate Agreement on Earth Day 2016.

The organisers behind Earth Day are hoping to use this year's celebration to plant 7.8 billion trees. Earth Day began in 1970 as a day to celebrate the planet and encourage people to be more environmentally friendly.

Dr A.V.S. Ramesh Chandra, the Indian High Commissioner to Uganda attended the event