The Arctic is melting, sea levels are rising, rivers breaking their banks, wild fires are destroying forests in America and an unbearable heat across the African plains. This only points to climate change and global warming.
Cutting trees for our own personal use and development yet failing to replace them is not helping the situation.
In the name of development, we have normalized destroying the environment by accepting dangerous human activities which is akin to waging war against Mother Nature.
Carbon emission is the greatest source of air pollution and 17 per cent of that comes from transportation as motor vehicles and motorcycles burn fuel and contribute to carbon emissions.
Countries are dealing with global warming through sustainable development. This is the act of encouraging development but at the same time looking out for future interests.
Cars are going electric, solar panels and wind panels replacing hydroelectric power and nuclear power.
According to Eldridge Cleaver, there is no neutrality in the world. You either have to be part of the solution or you are going to be part of the problem.
The Chief Executive Officer of Go Green Deliveries Elijah Mureithi is embracing this by ensuring that he is part of the solution.
A rugby player, an enthusiast of cycling and an activist for clean environment, Mureithi came up with the concept of making deliveries through cycling. Go Green Deliveries offers deliveries from point A to point B with zero carbon emissions.
The price for deliveries depends on the size of the package and the distance. Not only is the delivery fast and flexible, the personal communication with the rider doing the delivery ensures efficiency and security.
Every delivery made is a step towards creating a cleaner and better environment. Mureithi has also created employment opportunities for other youth, something that has been a thorn in the flesh of many in this era where unemployment rate is sky rocketing.
According to ‘Lee’ as he is popularly known, it is the only satisfaction he needs. He relies on youth because of their vibrancy and the will to give it their all in the work place. There are a number of challenges associated with cycling.
Unlike other countries like the Netherlands and UK that have dedicated lanes for cyclists, Kenya has not embraced this mode of transport fully. Kenya is in the process of doing so. Cycling lanes are being created to accommodate cyclists.. There are also inadequate laws created to protect them.
This is an issue that has led Mureithi to create awareness campaigns for cyclists through an initiative called Trek Tours. Once in a while, Mureithi brings cyclists together to cycle from county to county creating awareness for cyclists. The last tour took place last month in Narok County.
The distance from Nairobi to Narok is 140 kilometres. The trek tour took them nearly a whole day. They had to take rests in between and refuel their energy levels.
He said: “It is not an easy task. You need to prepare mentally and physically to take on this challenge. We also do long gym hours to get ourselves not only fit for work but for the next awareness tour.
As much as cycling looks effortless, it is a physical activity. We work out hard before embarking on this journey.”
