Despite rising calls for social science knowledge in the face of climate change, too few sociologists have

been engaged in the conversations about how we have arrived at such perilous climatic circumstances,
or how society can change course. With its attention to the interactive dimensions of social order
between individuals, social norms, cultural systems and political economy, the discipline of sociology is
uniquely positioned to be an important leader in this conversation. In order for us to understand and
respond to climate change we need two kinds of imagination: One is to see the relationships between
human actions and their impacts on earth's biophysical system (ecological imagination) and two is to see
the relationships within society that make up this environmentally damaging social structure
(sociological imagination). The scientific community has made good progress in developing our
ecological imagination but still need to develop a sociological imagination. The application of a
sociological imagination allows for a powerfully reframing of four key problems in the current
interdisciplinary conversation on climate change: why climate change is happening, how we are being
impacted, why we have failed to successfully respond so far, and how we might be able to effectively do
so.

Norgaard (2018) states that we have made little progress in understanding how to actually change the
course (as well as discourse) of climate change, even after four decades of "warnings" made by the IPCC.
Indeed, UNbased scientific expertise is crucial to identifying human sources of climate change, clarifying
biospheric effects, and informing policy to develop and implement technologies to mitigate and adapt to
human-induced climate problems. Norgaard (2018) and other social scientists suggest that we need to
reimagine the climate crisis, which entails critiquing the dominant knowledge system that informs the
social relations that make up our environmentally damaging social structures. The development of
modern society rests upon the assumption that humans are separate from nature, should use nature for
human well-being, and, in doing so, can control and govern it.

Climate change is one of the greatest ecological and social challenges of the twenty-first century.
Sociologists have made important contributions to our knowledge of the human drivers of
contemporary climate change, including better understanding of the effects of social structure and
political economy on national greenhouse gas emissions, the interplay of power and politics in the
corporate sector and in policy systems, and the factors that influence individual actions by citizens and
consumers. Sociology is also poised to make important contributions to the study of climate justice
across multiple lines of stratification, including race, class, gender, indigenous identity, sexuality and
queerness, and disability, and to articulate the effects of climate change on our relationship to
nonhuman species. To realize its potential to contribute to the societal discourse on climate change,
sociology must become theoretically integrated, engage with other disciplines, and remain concerned
with issues related to environmental and climate inequalities.

Climate change is not just an environmental issue, but comes with a whole raft of social issues, including
displacement of communities, food security, water shortages and health-related issues.Climate change
is an environmental issue, but it is a social issue too. You cannot think of climate change as a risk or an
opportunity without thinking of the impact on people and communities and how they will
transition.Climate change in Kenya and across East Africa has led to more frequent droughts. These have
caused wild animals, such as lions and elephants, to wander further in search of water and food. Lions
have then come into conflict with humans when they kill sheep and goats in the villages near the
nationa parks. Elephants have aso been known to trample food crops when searching for food and
water.

Climate change is affecting the traditional way of life of some of the semi-nomadic tribes in Kenya, such
as the Samburu. Samburu people keep livestock, such as cattle, goats, sheep and camels. During the dry
season the Samburu men take the animals away from the homestead in search of fresh pasture. Climate
change has caused the dry season to begin earlier and extend longer than usual, meaning the men and
animals are away from home for even longer periods of time. This makes it harder for the women and
children left behind to feed themselves with the animals gone.

If climate change endangers wildlife it could damage Kenya’s tourist industry, since wildlife safaris are a
major part of country’s appeal for many tourists. On a local scale, reduced yields of staple crops, such as
maize and beans will damage the local economy. When farmers cannot produce any surplus crops to sell
they cannot afford to buy other provisions, such as clothes, food or fuel and so other small businesses
will suffer too.Widespread warming has been observed over Kenya since 1960. There is little
precipitation data available for Kenya, but there is some limited evidence for decreasing precipitation
between 1960 and 2003, the period for which some data is available.

Climate scientists use complex computer simulation models to predict what the likely effect of rising
gobal average temperatures might be on specific regions. It is very hard to predict accurately as there
are lots of factors that can influence climate and local weather, but these studies can help to provide
some indication of future trends.General trends predicted in Kenya: Decreased yields of the most
important staple crops, maize and beans, increased food security problems over the next 40 years,
future water availability is uncertain, there may be increased rainfall in the rainy season leading to
flooding, some models predict an increase in summer rainfall across East Africa as a whole and others
predict a decrease in summer rainfall in Kenya particularly.

Climate change is posing an increasing threat to global socio-economic development and environmental
sustainability. Developing countries with low adaptive capacity and high vulnerability to the
phenomenon are disproportionately affected. Climate change in Kenya is increasingly impacting the lives
of Kenya's citizens and the environment. Climate Change has led to more frequent extreme weather
events like droughts which last longer than usual, irregular and unpredictable rainfall, flooding and
increasing temperatures.The effects of these climatic changes have made already existing challenges
with water security, food security and economic growth even more difficult. Harvests and agricultural
production which account for about 33% of total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are also at risk. The
increased temperatures, rainfall variability in arid and semi-arid areas, and strong winds associated with
tropical cyclones have combined to create favorable conditions for the breeding and migration of pests.
An increase in temperature of up to 2.5 °C by 2050 is predicted to increase the frequency of extreme
events such as floods and droughts.

Hot and dry conditions in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) make droughts or flooding brought on by
extreme weather changes even more dangerous. Coastal communities are already experiencing sea
level rise and associated challenges such as saltwater intrusion. Lake Victoria, Lake Turkana and other
lakes have significantly increased in size between 2010 and 2020 flooding lakeside communities. All
these factors impact at-risk populations like marginalized communities, women and the youth.Kenya's
annual greenhouse gas emissions are low at less than 1 tonne per person, totaling less than 100 million
tonnes of CO2eq a year, of which almost a third is from deforestation. In 2020 Kenya submitted a Forest
Reference Level to the UNFCCC.

Half of Kenya's electricity is produced through hydropower. However, because the generation and
distribution of electricity is unreliable, some manufacturing firms generate supplemental power with
fossil fuel sources. Droughts and increasing evaporation also decreased hydropower capacity, which will
in turn increase the use of more polluting energy sources.Human activities increases the strength of
greenhouse effect which contributes to climate change. Most likely is carbon dioxide from burning fossil
fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas.The temperature anomalies was positive every year since 2000 with
respect to the climatological mean of the years 1981 to 2010 according to satellite data. Analysis of
climate trends in Kenya's Arid and Semi Arid (ASAL) areas shows an increase in temperature and a
decrease in rainfall between 1977 and 2014. Climate change impacts are predicted to be particularly
pronounced in ASALs where the economy and rural livelihoods are highly dependent on climate-
sensitive activities, such as pastoralism and rainfed cultivation.

Increased temperatures, rainfall variability and strong winds associated with tropical cyclones have
combined to create favorable conditions for the breeding of insects and pests. For instance, in early
2020 some parts of Kenya and neighboring East African Countries faced massive swarms of locusts. Even
if directly attributing specific infestations to climate change is difficult, climate change is known to be
capable of changing the feeding and outbreak dynamics of some insect species.

Currently, the annual rise of sea level is approximately 3mm every year. Regional variations exist due to
natural variability in regional winds and ocean currents, which can take place over periods of days to
months or even decades.Global coastal areas face challenges as a result of anthropogenic sea-level rise.
Rising mean sea levels (MSL) and storm surges combine to exacerbate extreme sea levels (ESL).
Increasing ESL is a significant challenge for nearly 2.6 billion people in the Indian Ocean region to adapt
to climate change. Around 17% – 4,600 hectares (11,000 acres) – of Mombasa would be threatened by a
sea level rise of 30 centimetres (12 in).Rising sea levels will likely lead to destruction of infrastructure
including ship docking ports and industries located within the coast region if no adaptation strategies
are implemented. it can also lead to even increased acute water supply and salinization problems, as
freshwater aquifers are contaminated.

The replenishment of groundwater reservoirs, a major source of drinking water in Africa, is being
threatened by a reduction in precipitation. Rainfall levels between March and May/June decreased in
eastern Africa from at least the 1980s onwards, and monsoon rain decreased between 1948 and 2009 in
the Horn of Africa. The annual flow of water from rivers passing through East Africa, such as the Nile,
will decrease as a result of climate change. Increasing drought and desertification is expected to cause
an increased scarcity of freshwater.[19][20] While international standards suggest that 1,000 m3 of
water should be available per person, only 586 m3 was available in 2010, and this may fall to 293 m3 by
2050. The shrinking of Mount Kenya's glaciers has exacerbated water shortages. Rivers that once flowed
year round due to glacial run-off now flow seasonally, aggravating conflicts over water resources.

Climate change may significantly disrupt the ecosystem services involved in agriculture, such as by
affecting species distribution, inter-species relationships, and altering the effectiveness of management
regimes. Such services are also needed by the $2.5 billion tourism sector.Kenya's wildlife species are
expected to be affected in a variety of ways as the climate changes, with changes in temperature and
rainfall affecting seasonal events and species ranges. Forest cover 7.4 percent of Kenya's land, and
provide services including improving water quality, preventing erosion, and absorbing greenhouse
gases, in addition to being habitats for other wildlife. Around 5,000 hectares of forest is lost annually.
From 1990 to 2015, forest cover declined by 25% (824,115 hectares), which amounts to 33,000 hectares
per year. This reduces both the ecosystem services the forests provide, including by diminishing wood
yield and quality, and the biodiversity they support. Climate change may impede the recovery of these
forests. It adversely affects forest regenerative capacity, limiting tree growth and survival, as well as
increasing pest and pathogen range. There is also an increased risk and severity of forest fires as
temperatures increase and droughts increase in length. Other affected habitats are coral reefs and
mangroves, whose ecosystem services include protection from storm surges, providing opportunities for
eco-tourism, and sustaining fisheries. Both are directly affected by increasing temperatures and rising
sea levels.

The two most important sectors within the Kenyan economy are agriculture and tourism, which are both
highly vulnerable to effects of climate change. A drought lasting from 2008 to 2011 caused an estimated
$12.1 billion in damage. Food insecurity caused be droughts from 2014 to 2022 affected approximately
3.4 million people while in 2018, about 500,000 people lost access to water.With a population of 48.5
million people, Kenya is the largest economy in East and Central Africa, and serves as a diplomatic,
communications, financial and trade hub within the region. Economic damage caused by climate
variability and extreme weather may equate to 2.6% of GDP by 2030.

Agriculture remains an important component of Kenyan households' economic and social well-being.
Climate change is already affecting the country's agricultural sector, which is responsible for over 33
percent of Kenya's GDP and is the primary source of sustenance for 60% of the population. Three
quarters of Kenya's farming produce comes from small scale farmers. In some areas of Kenya
temperatures can exceed 35 °C (95 °F), at which the heat is damaging to maize, a staple crop in
Kenya.Kenya is one of the world's largest producers of tea, with the tea sector accounting for about a
quarter of total export earnings and 4% of GDP. The industry provides rural jobs that are key to the
reduction of rural–urban migration, but areas currently used to cultivate tea are expected to experience
increased climate driven stresses.

High temperatures are also expected to increase pest and disease loads in domesticated animals,
especially in arid and semi-arid (ASALs) regions.Livestock trends in ASALs between 1977 and 2016 show
cattle declined by 26.5%, while sheep and goats increase by 76% and camels by 13.3%. Climate change
could result in the loss of 52% of the ASAL cattle population (or 1.7 million cattle) at a cost of US$340–
680 million to the economy.

A number of startups, non profits and companies are working to address climate change–related
issues.Kenya's manufacturing sector, which produces good for both domestic use and exports, is one of
the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Accounting for almost 10% of GDP in 2010, and employing 13% of
formal sector labor in 2012, its output was valued at over KES1 trillion in 2014. Consuming around 60%
of electricity generated in the country, manufacturing produces about 10% of Kenya's greenhouse gas
emissions.Kenya's National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) identifies some impacts of climate
change on the manufacturing sector: Energy fluctuations or blackouts due to interruptions of energy
supply arising from lower annual rainfall and severe droughts which causes the water level in the
hydroelectric power plants to decline this resulting to low power production.Greater resource scarcity
such as water and raw materials due to climate variations and increasing scarcity of waterGreater risk of
plant, product and infrastructure damage and supply chain disruptions from extreme weather
conditions such as heat wave, wind etc flood, droughts, cyclones and storms. Higher costs of production
due to unstable supply of electricity, and higher insurance premiums

Different effects caused or exacerbated by climate change, such as heat, drought, and floods, negatively
affect human health. The risk of vector and water borne diseases will rise.83 million people are expected
to be at risk of malaria alone by 2070, a disease which is already responsible for 5% of deaths in children
under the age of five and causes large expense. Dengue fever is similarly expected to increase by 2070.

Among people aged 65 and over, heat stress-related mortality is expected to increase from 2 deaths per
100,000 per year in 1990 to 45 per 100,000 by 2080. Under a low-emissions scenario, this may be
limited to just 7 deaths per 100,000 in 2080. Under a high emission scenario, climate change is expected
to exacerbate diarrhea deaths, causing around 9% of such deaths for children under 15 by 2030, and
13% of such deaths by 2050. Malnutrition may rise by up to 20% by 2050. In 2009, it was recorded in
Kenya that the prevalence of stunting in children, underweight children and wasting in children under
age 5 was 35.2%, 16.4% and 7.0%, respectively.The National Environmental Management Authority in
the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources (MEMR), the National Climate Change Activities
Coordinating Committee, and the Kenya Meteorological Department in the Ministry of Transport are the
major components of the government's institutional framework tasked with the day to day building of
climate resilience.

In 2010 the Kenyan government published the National Climate Change Response Strategy.The Climate
Change Act 2016 establishes a National Climate Change Council, which is chaired by Kenya's president,
with the authority to oversee "the development, management, implementation and regulation of
mechanisms to enhance climate change resilience and low carbon development for the sustainable
development of Kenya", by the National and County Governments, the private sector, civil society, and
others.The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) was implemented in 2015 to improve climate resilience. The
NAP contains the Adaptation Technical Analysis Report (ATAR), which examines sectoral economic
vulnerabilities, identifies adaptation needs, and suggests potential adaptation actions in different
counties. The NAP supports the development of local County Integrated Development Plans (CIPDs),
which includes the establishment of County Climate Change Funds (CCCFs).

The current National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP 2018–2022) follows the National Climate
Change Action Plan 2013–2017. The plan focuses on adaptation and mitigation measures the country
can take, with the aim of "low carbon climate resilient development".The National Environment
Management Authority serves as the country's accredited body to international climate financing
organizations such as The Adaptation Fund and the Green Climate Fund.

In 2022 President Ruto said: "Wind turbines and solar panels are quick to construct and can generate
and deliver power far more quickly and easily than a new oil rig, and with much less harm to our fragile
climate." In urban areas, increasing population and informal settlement size is exposing more people to
heat, flooding, and water scarcity. The consequences of climate change have impacted marginalized
communities, women and the youth.The Arid and Semi Arid areas host 38% of the population, and
produce 12% of GDP.Poverty rates in northern ASALs remains above 80%, despite overall decreasing
national poverty rates

References

1. Government of Kenya (2018). "National Climate Change Action Plan 2018–2022 Volume II: Adaptation
Technical Analysis.

2. Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife (2018). National Wildlife Strategy 2030.

3. Muoki, Chalo Richard; Maritim, Tony Kipkoech; Oluoch, Wyclife Agumba; Kamunya, Samson Machohi;
Bore, John Kipkoech (2020). "Combating Climate Change in the Kenyan Tea Industry"

4. Opere, Alfred (2022). Research Anthology on Environmental and Societal Impacts of Climate Change.

5. Kenya Markets Trust (2019). "Contextualising Pathways to Resilience in Kenya's ASALs under the Big
Four Agenda"