Walking Walker Ayeni set for Germany

Ayeni receiving an air ticket from minister Sam Cheptoris

Geoffrey Walker Ayeni has a mission. He wants people to know more about climate change and become more resilient in order to survive in the changing climate.

The towering Ayeni two months ago walked 320km from Kampala to Kapchorwa in the name of causing awareness about climate change. He also planted trees at stop overs in parts of central and eastern Uganda.

"Ayeni planted over 35,000 trees during the expedition," said Stephen Mugabi, commissioner for environment in the Ministry of Water and Environment. "He also created awareness to over 1,000 people."

Mugabi was speaking at a Breakfast meeting organised at the ministry headquarters in Luzira near Kampala.

Ayeni (third left) with environment ministry officials and members of the Uganda Walkers Association

Mugabi said there will be more walkers on expeditions to different parts of Uganda to cause more awareness about climate change.  He also said the expedition will cover areas that are most affected by climate change.

Climate change is caused by emissions such as carbon dioxide from production processes, which trap heat escaping to the atmosphere thereby causing global warming.

The warming of the earth disrupts rainfall patterns and also melts the ice on mountain tops like the Rwenzori.

Ayeni on the road

Sam Cheptoris, the Minister of Water and Environment provided sponsorship to Ayeni to attend the UN Meeting on climate change at Bonn, Germany.

He handed over an air ticket and sustenance to cover one week. He also provided an undisclosed package to the Uganda Walkers Association where Ayeni is president.

This, according to Cheptoris will help Ayeni to articulate matters relating to Climate Change better in the coming campaigns on the changing environment as well as climate.

Ayeni said it was everyone's responsibility to fight against climate change and that we have to do something about it.

"I am not an expert on the issues of climate change, but rather a concerned citizen," Ayeni said. "I stand before you among millions of people around the world and the people who are concerned and desirous in finding and offering solutions to the challenge of climate change."

He added: "Climate Change is real and it is not a partisan debate. Clean air, water, and a livable climate are fundamental human right and solving this crisis is not a question of politics. It is our moral obligation and action is most urgent of all times."