Lecture by Dorcas Naishorua on Climate Impact in Maasai Land

Introduction

• Speaker: Dorcas Naishorua
• Background: First Miss Climate in the world, from Kajiado County, Kenya
• Key Themes: Resilience, climate change, the Maasai way of life

The Maasai Way of Life

• Daily Life:
  • Symphonic sounds of the savanna
  • Cattle as both companions and livelihood
  • Milk and ugali as staple foods
• Economic Importance:
  • Income from selling milk
  • Education funded by dairy sales

Climate Change Effects

• Environmental Changes:
  • Longer droughts
  • Unreliable rains
  • Desertification turning plains into graveyards for cattle
• Resource Scarcity:
  • Shortage of food and water
  • Increased conflict over resources
• Social Impact:
  • Health risks, especially for girls
  • Disruption to education

Gender-Specific Challenges

• Girls Trade for Grass:
  • Forced into search for water, facing health and safety risks
  • Sacrifice of education for family survival
  • Practices of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriage
  • Trade for grass during drought periods

Adaptation and Resilience Measures

• Sustainable Practices:
  • Planting trees alongside crops
  • Community ranches for beekeeping
  • Dividing land into paddocks
• Renewable Energy:
  • Adoption of solar power
  • Efficient production and storage of food

Importance of Education and Knowledge

• Community Empowerment: Knowledge and skills to adapt to climate change
• Long-term Resilience: Diversification of income sources

Call to Action

• International and Local Support Needed:
  • Collaboration with organizations
  • Policy advocacy for land rights
  • Early-warning systems for extreme weather
• Sustainability and Equity:
  • Importance of nourishing 10 billion people sustainably
  • Need to respect environment and Indigenous knowledge

Conclusion

• Hope for the Future:
  • Prioritizing resilience and community power
  • Ensuring the Maasai girls thrive and not just survive