Technical University of Mombasa Vice Chancellor, Professor Laila Abubakar, has urged Kenyans to plant trees in order to address climate change challenges affecting the globe.

Speaking at TUM Kwale Campus located at Mabokoni in Kwale County, Professor Laila recapitulated that trees play a major role in making food through the process of photosynthesis and absorbing carbon dioxide which is harmful to our environment.

‘‘Carbon dioxide affects the ozone layer. This layer prevents harmful wavelengths of ultraviolet (UVB) light from passing through the Earth's atmosphere. These wavelengths cause skin cancer. Trees are very important in our lives. From today onwards if you cut one tree, plant 11. ‘‘Professor Abubakar said.

According to Prof Laila, there is a presidential directive requiring Kenyans to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. The State Department of Higher Education was given a target of 200 million trees.

TUM Kwale Campus Director Dr. Abdikadir Banafa encouraged the locals to use the institution to further their studies. He reiterated that the campus offers different courses ranging from Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree.

Environment and Health Sciences Department Chairman, Dr. Cosmas Munga, called on TUM staff to take the tree planting initiative serious in order to hit the required target.

A total of 810 trees were planted at Kwale Campus to mark world environment day which is commemorated on 5th June annually. This year’s theme is #Beatplasticpollution to refocus attention on solutions to plastic pollution.

TUM partners who participated in the tree planting exercise were: Hatua Achievers, Health Environment and Research Institute (HERI), Mabokoni Primary School, Mabokoni Junior Secondary, Diani Walkers and Mabokoni women organization.