Wangari Maathai Asks That The Rule of Law Be Used To Protect The Environment

Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai, has urged African leaders to use the rule of law in protecting the environment. Wangari says Africa can protect its natural resources and environment by drafting laws that will deter leaders in power from misusing the privilege and exploiting the natural resources for selfish gains. Wangari was speaking today in Nairobi after meeting High Court of Brazil-Justice Antonio Herman Benjamin and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), commission on environmental law Sheila Abed from Paraguay. The meeting was aimed at creating a working relationship between Green Belt Movement lead by Wangari Maathai and IUCN in creating awareness for the important of rule of law in environment conservation.

On his part, Justice Antonia blamed lack of laws and poor implementation of existing laws when dealing with environmental degradation. Antonio urged judges not to be blind when environment is being destroyed as its effect affects women and children who are venerable when natural calamities strike. “ we need to train our lawyers and judges on environmental matters and move away from individualism of cases as it is now and by this global warming and emission of greenhouse gas which are affecting us will be dealt with” Antonio added.

Meanwhile, Prof. Wangari Maathai urged African head of states not to give up on environment degradation fight even though the just concluded Climate talks in Copenhagen did not address their need as expected. Maathai who featured promptly in the talks said though the talks were not successful African Head of states should not give up as talks are still ongoing and they should come up with strategies to conserve the environment in their countries and ensure they are implemented to the later .

© 2010, Paul Mwaura. All rights reserved. – Reproduction of Newstime Africa content on any other news medium without the prior consent or approval of the publishers is forbidden, and in direct contravention of International copyright laws. Violators will be pursued and prosecuted.