Global climate advocacy organization “We Don’t Have Time,” founded by Ingmar Rentzhog and David Ollisson in 2016, has issued an urgent call for robust climate change mitigation efforts. The organization, which has emerged as the largest climate change solution network, emphasizes the critical need to safeguard future generations from the imminent dangers of climate change.
The organization has demonstrated its commitment through significant initiatives, including the planting of over 2 million shade trees and the removal of 500,000 metric tons of carbon over the past 20 years. These efforts highlight the organization’s dedication to combating climate change.
Recent heavy rains have caused widespread devastation in Kenya, resulting in the deaths of over 280 people and extensive property and infrastructure damage. We Don’t Have Time’s Africa/Kenya Chapter, in response, has called for immediate climate action to address the crisis. Speaking at the chapter’s head office in Thika, Regional Representative Patrick Kiarie emphasized the urgent need for global cooperation to combat the climate crisis.
“We are facing critical conditions caused by global warming, driven by our actions. Climate change is real, and it’s now the right time for everyone to wake up and realize our future is being destroyed. It’s our role to protect nature; we are the cause and main contributors to the climate crisis,” Kiarie implored.
The organization’s research underscores that fossil fuels—coal, oil, and gas—are the largest contributors to global climate change, accounting for over 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions. The burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, trapping heat and exacerbating global warming.
Greenhouse gas emissions create a blanket effect, trapping the sun’s heat and causing the earth to warm at an unprecedented rate. This warming disrupts natural balances, alters seasons, and contributes to a host of environmental issues. The largest contributors to global emissions are electricity and heat production, followed by transport, manufacturing, construction, and agriculture.
In Kenya, the adverse effects of industrial gas emissions are evident, with rising cases of respiratory diseases. Pollutants from burning gases contribute to early deaths, heart attacks, respiratory disorders, strokes, asthma, and absenteeism from school and work. Additionally, these emissions have been linked to autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer’s disease.
“People living near industries are at high risk of suffering from respiratory disorders, as industries release gases at night when people are asleep. We are calling on national and county governments to take serious measures against those offenders who pose a threat to our lives. Serious impacts of climate change will be severe if we do not take action now,” said Wanjiku Kiruri, a member of the We Don’t Have Time Kenya Chapter.
Kenya’s government has set an ambitious agenda of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 and transitioning to clean energy, which is seen as a significant milestone in climate change mitigation. “We are delighted to support President William Ruto’s call for climate change mitigation. We urge people to remain vigilant in ensuring our environment is safe. Don’t watch people destroy our tomorrow; take action now,” Kiarie added.
We Don’t Have Time operates on three pillars: Climate Love, Climate Idea, and Climate Warning. Climate Love reviews commend entities that contribute positively to the environment, such as manufacturers of electric vehicles. Climate Idea reviews propose sustainable solutions to organizations and governments. Climate Warning urges entities that negatively impact the environment to adopt more sustainable practices.
Looking ahead, the African office of We Don’t Have Time is preparing to host the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP 29, scheduled from November 11 to 22 in Baku, Azerbaijan, along with other future global climate events.
The climate crisis is an urgent reality, and the only way to address it is through collective action and the implementation of sustainable solutions.