From left: Fridah, Peter, Beth, and James going green

The University's Community Week kicked off on with tree planting in the University's compound. Mr Paul Okwaro, Associate Programme Officer, Environmental Education and Training Division of Environmental Policy Implementation, UNEP represented Mr Ibrahim Thiaw, Director, Division of Environmental Policy Implementation as the Chief Guest at the event.

Before the exercise begun, Mr Okwaro asked the gathered students and staff what was the most pressing issue in the world today. The reply was unanimous – climate change. Mr Okwaro then asked how trees help the world deal with climate change. The students said that trees absorb carbon emissions which would otherwise damage the ozone layer.

In remarks read on his behalf by Mr Okwaro, Mr Thiaw noted that environmental education is relevant for all students as environment issues cut across all disciplines. "Today, when one considers environment and development issues, one quickly finds that everything is connected to everything else. Debts held by banks in New York affect the way in which timber is harvested in Brazil. Subsidies paid to sugar beet farmers in France affect a farmers' ability to eke out a living in Mauritius. Chemicals used in Germany may play a role in giving cancer to a child in Australia. The connections are virtually endless and are no longer just matters for academic debates," Mr Thiaw said.

"These connections are unmistakable when we consider the impacts of Climate change - which has emerged as the single greatest threat to the future of humankind. Global climate change is one of the most profound challenges of our time, and I believe it is a challenge that can be met. But it will not be met easily, because the causes and consequences of global warming cut across every nation, every sector, and every community around the world," Mr Thiaw continued.

"Powerful forces must be brought to bear on this issue - the force of technology, the force of the marketplace, the force of government, and finally, the force of individuals and communities around the globe," Mr Thiaw added.

Strathmore Community Week is a time the University's Community Outreach Program (COP) dedicates to create awareness of the many varied social, economic and cultural problems experienced by the wider community and help alleviate these problems. COP is part of the Strathmore's efforts to provide an all round education. "COP activities stimulate students to become agents of change in their communities and to actively participate in seeking solutions," says Mr Marcos Migeri, Strathmore's Director of Relations.

This resonates with Mr Thiaw's remarks: "Schools cannot afford to isolate themselves from the crises and concerns of the outside world. Education is more than just specializing in particular spheres. Its primary goal is the development of the human being to be a better human being."

Mr Migeri said that planting trees is like having babies because trees like babies need to be nurtured. He asked those planting trees to take care of them. Mr Okwaro asked the students to think of other ways UNEP could assist them in the area of environmental education.

Other activities scheduled for the week-long event include: marking of bumps along Ole Sangale Road, visiting people living with HIV/AIDS patients Kiambu General Hospital, donating blood, and opening a classroom at Ikumbo Secondary School in Maara District, Meru region.