The air in Kampala-Uganda our vibrant city hangs heavy, it is often mixed with exhaust fumes from burning of fossil fuels a testament of our reliance on unsustainable energy. Each Day we feel a shift in our once cool breeze together with the harsh realities of changing weather: devastating floods, scorching heat and other unfavorable weather events that make our home on Planet Earth increasingly uncomfortable. 

The Earth Day stands as a reminder to raise awareness and galvanize action around environmental issues.  This   year as we celebrate the Earth Day, under the theme “Our Power, Our Planet”. Greenwatch believes that every Ugandan possesses the power to protect our environment and secure a sustainable future through use of clean energy.

Our Constitution guarantees a right to a clean and healthy environment, a right that empowers us to demand accountability for the very air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land that sustains. However, this crucial right remains dormant unless it is understood, embraced, and actively enforced, particularly in the context of our energy systems.

We witness daily the consequences of our inactions: the relentless clearing of our forests, the encroachment upon our precious wetlands often for establishment of un sustainable energy infrastructure like petrol stations and the ever-growing menace of pollution, aggravated by the continued burning of fossil fuels. These challenges persist not from a lack of understanding alone, but often from weak implementation of existing laws and a sense of powerlessness among the general public intertwined with the over dependency unsustainable energy sources.

Recognizing that a just transition to renewable energy is linked to environmental justice. At Greenwatch, we actively challenge this narrative of powerlessness through strategic litigation, advocacy and empowerment. Through the empowerment and advocacy programs we equip communities, legal professionals, and visionary leaders with the knowledge to identify environmental injustices, understand the benefits of clean energy, challenge unsustainable development projects and take meaningful action to promote its adoption there by deriving the demand for a just and equitable shift towards the use of renewable energy.

This Earth Day, as the world unites to accelerate the transition to renewable energy by 2030, we issue a resounding call to action, guided by our core belief: if we all did a little bit more, the world would be a better place, powered by clean and sustainable sources. Imagine the transformative impact if every Ugandan recognizing their inherent power:

1. As citizens: Become vigilant guardians of our precious environment by advocating for and adopting renewable energy solutions at the household and community levels for instance embracing the use of solar energy and investing in clean cooking methods which promote energy efficiency.

2. As policymakers: Go beyond enacting robust environmental laws, but prioritize policies and investments that facilitate the transition to clean energy for example creating incentives for renewable energy development, streamlining regulations, and investing in grid infrastructure that can seamlessly integrate energy sources as a cornerstone of environmental protection and sustainable development.

3. As young people: Recognize and embrace their role as the future stewards of our planet by actively advocating for the use of clean energy in schools, communities and leveraging the power of their social media platforms to raise awareness about the critical importances of the transition to clean energy and inspire their young people to take action.

4. As civil society: Become the voice of the voiceless environment by holding the government and the polluters accountable for a just and equitable transition to clean energy and advocating for policies that accelerate the shift.

Our power lies in the collective impact of small and consistent actions by each and every one of us. Therefore, this Earth Day, let us move beyond mere awareness and embrace our inherent power to shape a cleaner and healthier future for Uganda. Let’s commit to doing that little bit more, every single day, to safeguard the breathtaking beauty and vital resources of our Ugandan home, ensuring a healthy and prosperous future powered by clean renewable energy for all without compromising the environment.

Picture Credit: www.1stformations.co.uk