Arise Media 
BY RITA MUTHONI
Climate change has posed a severe global crisis, with extreme weather events leading to millions of deaths and displacing many people over the past five decades, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Africa has frequently experienced extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods, and strong winds, disproportionately affecting informal settlements, women, and children.
In Kenya, 315 people were killed, 188 injured, and more than 50, 000 families were affected by heavy rains and floods between 1 March and 29 May 2024, according to the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC).
READ: https://reliefweb.int/report/kenya/kenya-heavy-rains-and-flooding-update-flash-update-7-19-june-2024
In Embu County, unpredictable rainfall has persisted, particularly in the lower regions, severely affecting agricultural output and worsening the struggles of local farmers.
To address these challenges, youths in Embu County have launched initiatives to use their talents to educate the community on the importance of environmental conservation.
The Embu Youths Aids Advocate (EYAA) is among the youth groups in the county that, through the Youth Action Climate Fund supported by the County Government and funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies have devised a plan to create murals on school buildings.
These murals aim to remind students of the importance of tree planting and maintaining a clean environment.
Pius Mutugi, the EYAA group leader, says wall art can transform plain, uninspiring walls into vibrant, educational tools for students.
“Art is one of the most effective ways to engage children, making complex concepts more accessible and relatable,” he states.
Mutugi adds, “Cutting down trees and polluting the environment are major contributors to climate change. We plan to visit primary schools and create murals illustrating how these actions contribute to global warming.”
According to him, incorporating colorful and creative wall art in educational spaces, would capture students’ attention and deepen their understanding of climate change.
Grace Nduta, another member of EYAA and a young farmer, says the impact of unreliable rainfall on farmers prompted her to join the fight against climate change.
“I’ve faced significant losses due to poor crop yields caused by irregular rainfall, which has negatively affected both my income and my ability to sustain my farming activities,” Nduta explains.
In the last rainy season, many productive farmlands were flooded, leading to crop decay and heavy financial losses for farmers.
Although she is not an artist, Nduta expresses enthusiasm for the initiative saying it would help the community to understand, in the simplest way possible, how they can combat climate change using just a brush and paint.
Dennis Muturi, a teacher at Urban Primary School in Manyatta Sub-County where the group launched their first project, welcomed the initiative.
He notes that the school appreciates the group’s efforts, as they aim to mitigate some of the climate-related challenges facing the institution.
“One of our key challenges is water shortage, which results in high bills from the water supply company. Additionally, unclean classrooms and dusty fields worsened by rising daily temperatures, have frequently affected the respiratory health of some of our pupils,” Muturi says.
Embu governor Cecily Mbarire says she is ready and dedicated to combat climate change by empowering communities and promoting sustainable practices.
Through their vibrant artwork, the Embu youths hope to inspire the next generation to take action against climate change.
Their vision extends beyond beautifying walls—they seek to spark meaningful conversations about environmental stewardship, making climate education accessible and engaging.
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