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{
"id": 1003449,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1003449/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Ongeri",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 124,
"legal_name": "Samson Kegeo Ongeri",
"slug": "samson-ongeri"
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"content": "indication that the whole world was moving towards biodiversity because of its inherent wealth that was imbedded in biodiversity products. The so-called developed nations were able to patent some of the ingredients that had been derived from the biodiversity products for their own use. These medicinal products were then sold back to the third world countries at very exorbitant prices. They were out of reach for anybody to use for their own sustainable livelihoods. One of the areas that has been, unfortunately, exploited and polluted to the extent that it has been denuded by the researchers of the developed nations are the biodiversity elements in Africa, the Congo and Amazon forests. Biodiversity is a balance between the rich and the poor. However, as a result of human activities and natural disasters, biodiversity is under threat. We can easily already note that one of the recent elements has been flooding. If you see flooding all over the country; whether it is in Nyando, Trans Nzoia, Budalangi, North Eastern, Coast Region and other areas, it involves the loss of biodiversity. We cannot afford this because this is a result of climate change. On the patterns of climate change, again, I had the singular honour of negotiating the framework of conventions on climate change, especially desertification in Africa. Again, this constellation of events has denuded the environment to the extent that even the ordinary mwananchi cannot sustainably use these elements. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we also have pollution of water in the world. Therefore, this Statement is asking us whether the air that we breathe is full of good oxygen that can resuscitate us in moments when we are in a very bad environment or not. Tree planting and conservation of forests is a key factor in ensuring that the ambient oxygen that we breathe is clean. If the climate changes, then we will have difficulty in getting clean drinking water for our livelihood. Water is life. For those of you who did not know, 80 per cent of your body mass is water. The 20 per cent is made up of bones and tissues. Biodiversity for food production is another very important area. How do we produce food for survival, particularly in poor nations and countries? How are we using the God-sent products? We have destroyed them and created disasters in all those areas. Biodiversity is source of fuel. Most of our families do not have electricity. Therefore, they use biodiversity products as their fuel. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I can speak volumes on this subject, but the question is: Are we looking after our climate or are we going along the way of climate change? That is what the Statement is trying to bring to our attention to. Are we sustainably conserving biodiversity for food consumption? The answer is ‘no.’ Are we sustainably conserving clean drinking water? The answer is ‘no.’ Are we sustainably holding together the things that need to be held together for our own survival and livelihood? The answer is ‘no.’ Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is now time that we went into greater depth to understand how this biodiversity for our livelihood and sustainability, for alleviation of poverty, medicinal purposes, our own enrichment, and many others, do to us. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I support this Statement. Whoever will get this Statement, I will be interested to know how it will be developed into a law for our future use. I thank you. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}