Global warming is impacting negatively on weak economies in the world.
The 22nd IGAD Climate Outlook Forum being held in Nairobi is now urging governments of developing countries to refuse to accede to international climate conventions that do not take into considerations the needs of developing economies.
Nobel laureate for Environment, Prof Richard Odingo said the increase in vector borne diseases and the continued flooding in some of the countries due to the rise in global temperatures, is impacting negatively on productivity of weak economies.
He urged the industrialized countries including the US, Brazil, and growing economies of China and India to cut their green house gas emission in order to save the globe.
Speaking at the Forum, A Senior Scientist at the National Aeronautics Space Administration - NASA Dr Robert Cahalan urged communities to take the initiative in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by employing cleaner development mechanisms including taking advantage of carbon credits to cut the emission of gasses into the atmosphere.
Environment PS Prof James Ole Kiyiapi urged African countries to stop merely being present at international conferences on climate, but to take standpoints that help to deal with the problem at hand including the rise in global temperatures and the threat of climate change.
The Atmospheric Research Scientist at NASA Dr Charles Gatebe said its now evident that the rise in temperatures has resulted continued depletion of glaciers on Mount Kenya, Mount Kilimanjaro and the general degradation of the environment.
He warned that the scenario poses a threat to rivers sources including River Tana, which is the mainstay of the Kenya's hydro-electricity generation in Kenya and has its source on the Aberdares.
While addressing participants, the Assistant Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources Jackson Kiptanui urged for mitigation measures saying that already rivers in urban areas are polluted as many informal settlements have been illegally put up along the riverbanks.
He said land practices in some of the catchment's areas including the Mau escarpment and the Aberdares is further complicating matters.
The two-day forum will develop the consensus climate outlook for September to December rainfall season.
It will also formulate mitigation strategies to be used by the various economic sectors in dealing with the vagaries of weather.
Kiyiapi challenged the climate experts to also provide solutions that will be used as mitigation measures towards the threat to the environment.
