The mid aged man retired to his rural hut after a day's job in the field. Though the skies had been cloudy for sometime, it had not rained in a while. The cold weather created a deception... An expectancy of what was not coming soon. 'Empty' clouds kept gathering everyday only creating hope which would… Continue reading AIRBORNE: DISPLACED RADIATION
AIRBORNE: INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
Air quality is just as important in our homes as it is outside of them. And here's the reason why. DOMESTIC ACTIVITIES Ever sprayed a can of perfume... Or lit up an LPG gas cylinder for domestic cooking... Ever painted your house... Or just moved in that sleek furniture shining with creamy varnish... These are… Continue reading AIRBORNE: INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
AIRBORNE: SUBURBAN
I stood at the balcony of my room to catch a glimpse of downtown Nairobi. My hotel room was located on some upper floor. My employer had sponsored me for some seminar in the city and this would be my 'humble' abode for a few days. My sleep had been delayed by the drama going… Continue reading AIRBORNE: SUBURBAN
AIRBORNE: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
At times mantras meant to encourage us to be more environmentally proactive (like the one on this article's title) end up doing the exact opposite. Why? Because at times it seems as if they carry no immediate benefits. But that should not always be the case. So how do we draw value out of reducing,… Continue reading AIRBORNE: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
AIRBORNE: A MECHANIZED LIFE
If there is a single thing that defines our urban life then it has to be mobility. Always being on the move requires energy which our vehicles consume in the name of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels...carbonized remnants of historic organic life transformed over time into hydrocarbons not only able to drive our vehicles but light… Continue reading AIRBORNE: A MECHANIZED LIFE
AIRBORNE: SMELL THE RUBBER?
A pungent smell punctuated the air. The street family had just finished cooking up a simple starchy meal to 'hold' their stomachs during the night. Besides the challenge of accessing food, fuel was hard to come by. Living in a city meant fewer trees and therefore less firewood. Besides, most of the charcoal dealers were… Continue reading AIRBORNE: SMELL THE RUBBER?
AIRBORNE: THE MAKING OF STEEL
A chimney has many functions one of which is blocking the release of harmful emmissions from industries. But what happens when it malfunctions... Well, nearby settlements suffer because of polluted air. Among the many industries, iron and steel production demands significant attention especially if their chimneys are malfunctional. And here's the reason why. IRON ORE… Continue reading AIRBORNE: THE MAKING OF STEEL
WATER IS LIFE: ENTER DISINFECTION
Ever since the discovery of microscopic life, man has always been weary of bacteria in water. And rightfully so. Microorganisms in water are associated with a number of severe to deadly infections such as cholera, dysentry and typhoid. Since many water microrganisms succumb at a temperature of around 80 degrees celcius, boiling has been employed… Continue reading WATER IS LIFE: ENTER DISINFECTION
WATER IS LIFE: A GEOLOGICAL ‘RAW DEAL’
The descent into Kenya's Rift Valley is a scene to remember. The escarpment abruptly lets you into an open space with your eyes wandering tens if not hundreds of miles away through the plains with volcanoes protruding from them. Kenya's Rift Valley is the country's food basket inhabited by hardworking people. But sections of them… Continue reading WATER IS LIFE: A GEOLOGICAL ‘RAW DEAL’
WATER IS LIFE: ACIDIC WATER
From the first day I tasted hot lemon water, I have always ensured that I take it religiously every evening before retiring to bed. Several things are appealing to me about it... Its bitter- sweet taste... Its citrusy texture... But above all, its acidic nature that corrodes our throats in a 'friendly' way... No wonder… Continue reading WATER IS LIFE: ACIDIC WATER
