Amani, peace. 

In Kenya, June 2024 kicked off with clouds of teargas and thousands of protesters across the country chanting #Rejectthefinancebill 2024. Like many Kenyans, we researched and educated ourselves on the impacts and injustices that the finance bill would have had across various intersections, specifically looking at the youth, women, socio-economic status, and employment status.

Online and field activism were utilized as they were crucial to raising awareness and advocating for change. However, while watching the news and videos shared on social media, we couldn’t help but notice the unavoidable environmental cost of the protests. This realization led us to ponder, “How can we strike a balance between advocating for change and minimizing our environmental impact?”

There are three categories of environmental destruction during a protest. The first is air pollution, caused by exposure to tear gas and the fumes from burning tires. The second category is littering and waste. The third is water mismanagement, resulting from the use of water cannons. This article will highlight the negative environmental impacts of these three destruction categories.

Air pollution caused by teargas and burning tires 

 We often forget that we are not living alone on this planet. Picture this: you are a bird or horse, calf or stray cat going about your day as usual, surrounded by tear gas canisters. You also get the toxic effects of the tear gas poison on your eyes, ears, and digestive system as well. It also disturbs nearby flora's ecological balance, making them inedible. Most cities in Kenya have stray domestic animals like cats, dogs, donkeys, cows, and goats. Tear gas-laden air and rainwater cause irritants among the animals, significantly affecting our direct ecosystem. 

Although the effect of teargas - chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) -  on the environment has not been widely investigated, there is no doubt that it negatively impacts the environment. This was seen in 2020 during the protests in Portland, Oregon, where police officers heavily teargassed protesters near the Willamette River, which consequently led to the contamination of it.  In the case brought against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to answer for this contamination, the judges dismissed the case due to the lack of a “cognizable theory of liability” to the National Environmental Protection Act. This dismissal demonstrated the lack of research in this area, which unfortunately led to the delusion of legal repercussions.

Tear gas, while used in political warfare, has severe unintended consequences for domestic animals and wildlife that we cherish. These animals cannot protect themselves from the gas' irritants, highlighting the broader, often overlooked impact on our ecosystem. 

When it comes to human health, tear gas is a known culprit. It causes headaches, spontaneous miscarriages, and a significant increase in toxic chemicals and heavy metals in the air. This chemical contamination can persist in the air for days to weeks, and depending on weather conditions, it can settle on the land, vegetation, and water, paving the way for long-term environmental contamination. 

The burning of car tires marks most protests in Kenya. This practice serves as an act of visibility in thick black smoke, a road barricade to draw attention and protection for protestors from armed forces. However, this tactic has significant environmental drawbacks his article, "4 Reasons Why Kenyan Protesters Prefer Burning Tires During Demos," Paul Kurgat says the thick black smoke produced by burning tires is associated with very high levels of petroleum products. The protesters use this smoke to cover themselves and target police with stones. On top of this, the dark smoke is visible from several km away in clear daylight.

 Furthermore, accessing tires is free or inexpensive, thus making them an accessible weapon of protest for demonstrators. Consequently, burning tires releases tons of toxic gasses that harm our respiratory system and could be carcinogenic. Other side effects of this agent include skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritation. Burning tires on roads damages our roads; in 2017,  the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) asked protestors to avoid burning tires because they cause damage. Then chairman Erastas Mwongera explained that the heat generated from the burning tires can melt the bitumen used in road construction."   This request was lost in the wind. 

It's crucial for protestors to understand that their actions are not just raising their voices but also the levels of pollution. The pollutants added to the air have far-reaching effects, similar to tear gas, and they also contribute to the formation of potholes. Potholes, in turn, increase soil erosion on the shoulder of the roads and lead to more carbon emissions caused by cars bouncing over potholes and being less fuel efficient. This is a reminder of the environmental consequences of burning tires, emphasizing the urgent need to change protest tactics.

Littering and Waste Management 

Protests can generate significant waste, including discarded placards, flyers, plastic bottles, and food containers. In urban areas like Nairobi, this litter can overwhelm already strained waste management systems, leading to clogged drains and increased pollution. Therefore not softening the impact of floods that torment our communities in April - June. 

Despite Kenya desperately needing an advanced waste management system, drainage system, and social responsibility for environmental cleanliness,  there are multiple ways to be a sustainable protestor. For instance, digital activism has limited carbon emissions and minimal waste because most is done through social platforms. Boycotts & Buycotts are economic methods of protesting by either refusing to buy products or services from companies that do not align with the cause or a buycott by supporting companies and products that align with the cause.

 Another collaborative option involves stakeholders, such as cleaning services or waste management companies, to help manage waste effectively during a peaceful protest. This ensures the environmental responsibility of all participants and, therefore, reduces the strain on our environment. 

Water mismanagement in a water-scarce nation. 

Most cities in Kenya already face water scarcity or inconsistent supply. So, where are they getting this water from? How much water is used? Could the supply be repurposed for a better cause for the citizens? 

As reported by  Sharon Wanga and agencies, “ Modern water cannons can propel water at rates up to 20 liters per second and can stream water up to 67 meters away. ” This is such a huge waste of water, especially in a country where children have to be absent from school to walk for 5 miles to go and fetch water for their homes. We asked chat GPT to compress this information to statistically compare the value of this water wastage.

“To determine how long the water from a water cannon could supply a village school of 500 pupils, we need to calculate the total volume of water the cannon can deliver and compare it to the daily water needs of the school.

Calculations

1. The volume of Water Delivered by the Cannon:

   • Water rate: 20 liters per second

   • Duration: Let's assume the cannon operates for 1 hour (3600 seconds)

   • Total volume: 20 liters/second×3600 seconds=72,000 liters

2. Daily Water Needs of the School:

   • Average daily water consumption per pupil: 20 liters (includes drinking, cooking, cleaning, etc.)

   • Total daily water consumption for 500 pupils: 500 pupils×20 liters/pupil=10,000 liters/day

3. Duration of the Water Supply Would Last:

   • Total volume of water: 72,000 liters

   • Daily consumption: 10,000 liters/day

   • Duration: 72,000 liters/10,000 liters/day=7.2 days

These statistics state that if a water cannon operates for 1 hour and delivers 72,000 liters of water, it could provide enough water to supply a village school of 500 pupils for approximately 7 days.

While the concept of using a water cannon to supply water to a school is hypothetical and impractical due to logistical challenges, this comparison helps illustrate the significant volume of water these cannons can deliver quickly.” ChatGPT

If four water cannons are used at a protest for a single hour, they could provide a steady water supply to sustain a school of 500 pupils for an entire month!  Water scarcity is a harsh reality that a lot of Kenyans still face in 2024. The value of accessible water is precious and should not be a weapon. For many girls in rural Kenya, reliable water access can mean the difference between attending school or staying home to fetch water for their families. This burden disproportionately affects girls' education and limits their opportunities for a brighter future. 

We need to continuously advocate for water availability in water-scarce locations to secure a safe, equitable, and just future.

Our final thoughts.

As the environmental youth advisory, we cannot end this article without imparting our thoughts and advice, specifically concerning the eco levy that targets products like technology items and plastic packaging, which contribute significantly to pollution and environmental degradation. By imposing this levy, the government aims to reduce the consumption of environmentally harmful products and encourage more sustainable alternatives. This policy could drive behavioral change among consumers and businesses, fostering an eco-friendly economy. 

However,

1. What will the taxes do? Will the expenditure be reinvested into waste management in the country? 

Our constrained environmental management systems have led to cascading human-induced flash floods and air pollution. If revenue/taxes are not invested in environmental improvements, it's a wasted opportunity.

2. Is it the consumer's responsibility, or is it the producer's responsibility?

Like most environmental regulations, this eco-levy places the environmental cost on the consumers. However, the producers benefit from cheap, non-biodegradable products; collectively,  they should handle the cost.  As William McDonough said, "Design is the first signal of human intention. Producers can design products that either damage or regenerate the environment. Their choices define the product's entire lifecycle impact.” The producers control the beginning-of-life and end-of-life strategy of their product.  So, how about we expect producers to shift to sustainable product packaging and proper waste management provided by our Ministry of the Environment? 

In this article, we covered 3 categories of destruction. Air pollution is caused by tear gas and burning tires. Both have toxic implications for our air, leading to irritating wildlife and disrupting animal behavior.  Litter and waste management, the expectation of sustainable protesting that protects our ecosystems, and proper water management. The environment is ours to protect and sustain; whatever we put into it, we will eventually receive the benefit or burdens of our actions.

Shukrani - thank you