Patricia Kombo is a youth climate activist in Kenya. She is best known for her tree planting initiatives as part of her nonprofit PaTree Initiative. The initiative has planted over 10,000 trees as of 2020. For this work, Kombo has been named a United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Land Hero.
Kombo is originally from Mbooni, Makueni County. Kombo studied journalism at Moi University.
In January 2021, Patricia started work as social media manager at the Centre for Environmental Justice and Development
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_Kombo
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.komboh (3.2k)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/patriciakombo (8.5k)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pattykomboh/ (897)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-kombo-836386182/ (500+)
The Centre for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD) is, since 2012, a registered public interest Non-Governmental Organization in Kenya. CEJAD works to promote sound management of chemicals and waste in order to protect the natural environment and wellbeing of the Kenyan people, especially vulnerable populations. CEJAD’s work covers five specific themes:
- Mercury Pollution
- Use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides
- Lead in Paints Elimination
- Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution
- POPs Reduction
We do this by:
- Advocating and lobbying for pro-sustainability policy and legal framework;
- Educating and advising the public on available technologies and practices that improve human and environmental health in specific, and wellbeing in general.
- Conducting and/or participating in research that generates knowledge for influencing sound policies and actions
Patree Initiative endeavours to plant both fruit and non fruit trees in schools so as to have a better climate. We also train students on the importance of trees.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaTree-Initiative-808491609537050
Enviro Wild I’m a 4th-year communications student from Moi and the founder PaTree Initiative an idea born out of passion and the zeal to help Kenya attain 10% forest cover by incorporating school pupils in tree planting activities and bringing nature to the classroom through reviving the dead 4k clubs in schools.
I remember growing up along the slopes of Mbooni hills, agriculture then, was profitable. Students my age were engaged in farming activities and, we had 4k clubs – which today are inactive.
In 2019, I was privileged to tour Lodwar in the company of a few friends during the famine and drought that had hit the area. Women and children suffered the consequences of changing weather. It was painful to watch. It reminded me of the possible detrimental effects of illegal logging and encroachment into forests in my community. I was concerned, so I started PaTree.
Through PaTree, I endeavor to reach out to everyone – more so the young – and, in my small way, teach them on the need to conserve the environment. I would have fulfilled my mission if all learning institutions – primary and secondary level – had environmental clubs/4k clubs.
I’m glad my work is gaining momentum. This year (2020), I was recognized by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification as a land hero for preserving land. Educating the masses is the most powerful tool for change, and a child without environmental education is like a bird without feathers. So far, I have visited eight schools, donated and planted trees, and carried out ecological awareness. We have since then planted about 5,000 tree seedlings.
Farmers in my village are embracing conservation and are now planting fruit trees in their compounds. It is rewarding.
https://envirowild.org/patree-10-forest-cover-kenya/
Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. The Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found.
The Convention’s 197 parties work together to improve the living conditions for people in drylands, to maintain and restore land and soil productivity, and to mitigate the effects of drought. The UNCCD is particularly committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating desertification and land degradation. The UNCCD secretariat facilitates cooperation between developed and developing countries, particularly around knowledge and technology transfer for sustainable land management.
