World environment day was Friday marked with the global theme "Your planet needs you. Unite to combat climate change."

The global theme of climate change was decided upon, as the world faces serious challenges of the effects of climate change. This year's global celebrations are being held in Mexico City.

In Kenya, the national celebrations were held in Mwingi district, a semi arid area in Kenya's Eastern Province.

The events were spearheaded by the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) the United National Environment Programm UNEP as well as other government agencies.

Speaking to KBC, Nema's Deputy Director in charge of Environment, Education and Public Information Betty Nzioka said Mwingi was selected because the region is among those areas in the country that have experienced severe effects of climate change, and subsequently affecting food productivity and livelihoods.

"Seasons have failed, and so it has had the most the most rapid change. We felt that as we celebrate, we need to be in a place which is actually affected so that we can encourage residents to take action," said Nzioka

Nzioka notes that multi sectoral approach is one of the effective ways to deal with climate change.

"We are also requesting other sectors to undertake climate change interventions relevant to their sectors seriously, so they can be addressed in their work plans," she said

Despite a lot of awareness, Environment lawyer Benson Ochieng' however says more effort needs to be channeled towards combating climate change.

"As a country we have to see how to mainstream climate change into our development concerns, plans and strategies. But even more importantly, to put in place laws and policies that will ensure that we are able to cope and adapt to challenges arising from climate change," he said.

Already the President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga launched a tree planting campaign, in an effort to encourage environment conservation and increase the forest cover in Kenya.

Kenya's forest cover stands at a paltry 2percent, way below the recommended minimum of 10 percent.

The country has been grappling with degradation of the Mau and Embobut forests in the country's Rift Valley Province, among other water towers.

The United Nations is proposing ways in which to lessen the effects, through offering incentives to developing countries.

One of the initiatives is Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD), which involves rich countries paying poor ones to avoid deforestation.

A new movie has also been launched to coincide with the celebrations of the world environment day.

The movie titled Home is aimed at fostering the protection of the environment, which is under threat.

The film is made up of aerial images filmed in 54 countries around the world, and shows major environmental and social challenges facing the world.