from Leo Odera
A Towering Figure in Life and Death
Tribute to Hon. Prof. Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Laureate
By: Grace Akumu, Executive Director, Climate Network Africa
Although I first met Prof. Maathai, in 1992, I had heard and read about her since 1980s. In the early 1990s, we shared the same gym club and she exercised as rigorously as any other younger woman. At the club, we only began talking when inadvertently, the management gave me the key to her locker.
In early nineties, I was beginning to get into the thick of climate change negotiations when Prof. was intensely engaged in reforestation of degraded areas, fighting against the construction of the politically and socially ill-conceived 62 story Kanu Times Tower in the middle of Uhuru Park, advocating for multi-party democracy and campaigning for the release of all political prisoners. She was a multi-tasker per excellence!
While at the gym, Professor sought to know what I was doing and I let her know that I was working on climate change issues. She advised me to always work hard and remain focused. We talked about the importance of forestry in combating climate change and the international controversies surrounding indigenous versus exotic tree species, and concluded that it was in Africa’s interest to push for indigenous species. Later on, during 2007, we talked about bio-diesel in the same context and agreed that the product was good for domestic consumption but not for export in order to power motor vehicles abroad. Professor abhorred what would contribute to further marginalise the marginalised! She advised me to only promote activities that would ensure sustainability. I admired her brilliance, dedication, commitment and passion for what destiny appeared to have conjured upon her. Her unassuming nature and sheer simplicity confounded all!
When in 2004 it was announced that she had won the Nobel Peace Laureate, I thanked the Almighty for rewarding her self-less and lifelong efforts in the most urgent socio-economic and environmental spheres.
As years passed by, my work in climate change intensified and was nominated one of the Lead Authors for the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC-TAR, 1998-2001) and again for the Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC-AR4, 2004-2007), respectively. It was a pleasant surprise when it was announced that the Nobel Peace Laureate for 2007 was the IPCC and former Vice-President of the United States of America, Mr. Al Gore. Whenever I look at my wall and see the Nobel Certificate bestowed to the IPCC and shared with all the Lead Authors including myself, I vividly remember the treasured pieces of advice I was lucky to receive from Professor. She truly inspired me.
In November 2006, during the Twelfth Conference of the Parties of the U.N. Climate Change Convention held at UNEP headquarters in Gigiri, Nairobi, Prof. asked how I had managed to stay the cause championing Africa’s interest in the climate change negotiations for so long. My response was obvious that she was my inspiration.
In order to underscore Professor’s simplicity, she never complained even when the government of Kenya could neither accredit nor include her in the several government delegations to the United Nations Climate Change negotiations. Instead, she could seek accreditation from Climate Network Africa and I did it many a time with horror as I felt the humiliation and prayed that the Almighty forgive our leaders. I can only reiterate that a woman’s worth is truly measured in death!
By: Grace Akumu, Ms.
Executive Director
Climate Network Africa
Email: gakumu@yahoo.com
Tel: 0733-992288 / 0725-808292