Time Magazine has recognized Kenya’s President William Ruto among the world’s top 100 influential leaders driving global climate action.
This acknowledgment coincided with his leadership during a national tree-planting initiative aiming to plant 100 million trees in a single day.
Ruto shares this distinction with figures like Freetown’s Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, architect Francis Kéré, and climate entrepreneur Kidus Asfaw.
Termed the “Time 100 Climate,” this inaugural listing highlights individuals making tangible strides against climate change, emphasizing their measurable achievements over mere commitments.
Ruto’s efforts in addressing climate impacts in Kenya and Africa, such as the ambitious goal to plant 15 billion trees in a decade and hosting the Africa Climate Summit, garnered recognition.
However, critics have called Ruto’s commitment into question, citing his failure to curb illegal logging despite championing tree planting.
Actions such as overturning a logging ban and advocating for the eviction of communities from the Mau Forest have sparked controversy.
While some praise these moves as forest protection measures, others argue they infringe on indigenous rights and may serve economic interests through carbon offsetting schemes.
Meanwhile, the World Bank cautioned that Kenya’s economy might decline significantly by 2050 due to inadequate climate action.
Other Time 100 Climate honorees include architect Francis Kéré, acknowledged for sustainable designs, and Kidus Asfaw, running a startup repurposing plastic waste into eco-friendly construction materials.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr earned her spot for spearheading environmental initiatives in Freetown, implementing climate action plans and introducing the city’s first chief heat officer, pioneering steps in Sierra Leone and Africa towards climate resilience.
Source-BBC
