Navigating Nairobi’s Climate Shift: Impacts, Causes, and Solutions

(Vatican news photo)

We experienced extremely high temperatures in Kenya during the start of the year; taking Nairobi for example, we had temperatures of up to and above 30 degrees Celsius, which is unusual for a region where temperatures are generally lower. We were having unexpected storms that led to the falling of trees and electricity poles. After a month we started experiencing heavy rainfall that led to flooding in the various parts of the country.

In Nairobi, it is unusual to see a brief period of rain followed by a storm, as we are used to relief rainfall being characterized by long, quiet rains. The rainy season is also never accompanied by floods, especially in areas where floods have never been an issue.

Climate change is the shift of weather patterns over a long period. For example, in Nairobi, temperatures in January for the past 5 years, have been ranging from 24 degrees to 26 degrees on the high side and 10 degrees to 12 degrees on the low side whereas in February temperatures have been ranging from 25 degrees to 27 degrees on the high side and 10 degrees to 12 degrees on the low side. In January 2024, temperatures ranged from 27 degrees to 28 degrees on the high side and 18 degrees to 17 degrees on the low side while in February temperatures ranged from 27 degrees to 31 degrees on the high side and 16 degrees to 19 degrees on the low side. The data shows that there is a slight shift in weather patterns.

Changes in weather patterns can result from a variety of actions and events. Emissions of dangerous chemicals, human emission of Greenhouse gases, destruction of forests, excessive waste production, dumping, and population increase are a few of the factors. These factors and activities have been summarized by Paul Ehrlich, a German Physician, in the equation I = P x A x T where I is the environmental Impact, P is the population, A is the affluence and T is the technology applied. The equation indicates that there will always be an increase in environmental impact as the population grows. These effects must be minimized to mitigate and regulate climate change.

Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power have immense potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. As an environmental engineer, I can contribute my expertise in designing, implementing, and optimizing renewable energy systems such as developing advanced control systems for optimizing the operation of renewable energy plants. Through real-time monitoring and data analysis, these control systems help improve the reliability and stability of renewable energy systems, making them more competitive with traditional fossil fuel-based power generation.

The changing environment in Nairobi serves as a wake-up call, emphasizing the importance of addressing climate change worldwide. We should strive towards a more resilient and sustainable future for future generations by recognizing the impacts, understanding the causes, and of course, implementing solutions.

Written by Fridah Joy Namudu 

Environmental Engineering Scholar || Front-end Developer || UI/UX Designer