Why this time is different and we have the tools to really fight climate change.

Pioneer of the first ``Net Zero Energy`` Platinum LEED certified home project in PG County, Maryland. A USAID Development Partner, speaker at Africities Summit at CGLU AFRIQUE United Cities and Local Govts of Africa Kisumu Kenya 2022, GREEN BUILD International Washington DC 2015, trainer US Chamber of Commerce Sabit International Program, Jefferson College Department of Architecture and the Built Environment, Philadelphia PA.
A Senior Level Government Adviser with 18+ years plus experience in sustainability, Technocrat, Community Developer, and Administrator in affordable housing, public-private partnerships, renewable energy generation, infrastructure development, and mixed-use development with local job creation and business opportunities.

As a scientist and consultant, Bhavik Barochia advocates for harnessing water for human, animal, environmental, and climate health monitoring. Bhavik works at the global sustainable engineering consultancy, Arup, to help deliver a unified One Health approach to projects and infrastructure. His experience in the application of water-based epidemiology is helping organizations and governments shape how they use water to monitor the impacts of climate change and the benefits of interventions they adopt at national, regional, and local levels. Bhavik’s ambitions are to utilize the abundance of data from water to help shape a healthier future.

Wangui Mwangi is an experienced Interior Designer. An EDGE Certified Green Building Consultant, a Biophilic Design Researcher, and a Champion in Kenya. Moreover, she is passionate about researching and incorporating African vernacular architecture into modern design. She has worked in several places, at Italbuild Imports as an Interior Designer in Kenya Green Building Society as a Youth Chapter Board member and as a Research and Dissemination Lead on sustainability and climate change mitigation. Wangui has been actively demystifying and championing biophilic design and green building through her LinkedIn page; she has acquired a huge and active following.

Poline Kagendo is passionate about green careers and sustainability in the face of the ongoing climate crisis. As a dedicated member of a non-profit organization focused on bridging the gap between green careers and the job market, she works tirelessly to create opportunities for individuals seeking to impact the environment positively. With a deep understanding of the urgency and importance of sustainability, Poline actively promotes environmental-friendly practices and helps individuals navigate the evolving landscape of green industries. Through her unwavering commitment, she strives to build a more sustainable future and inspire others to act for the well-being of our planet.

Luther Hinga has six years of experience in the waste management industry. At Buro Happold, he works with developers, architects, and engineers to design Operational Waste Management Strategies and Construction Waste Management Plans for Residential, Commercial, and Mixed-Use Building and Masterplan Developments in Europe and the Middle East. Before this, Luther worked as a Project Manager at WasteAid UK. He managed UK Aid Match, UK Aid Direct, and corporate-funded international development projects in Kenya, Cameroon, and The Gambia. Before this, Luther worked for SUEZ UK in consultancy and account management, specializing in conducting “waste audits” for commercial and industrial facilities.

As the Executive Director of the Chemichemi Foundation, Nancy envisions an inclusive and facilitative infrastructure that supports children, youth, women, and persons with disabilities to be climate adaptive and resilient. Nancy is an experienced professional with a diverse skill set spanning over 15 years in strategic communication, planning, management, risk monitoring, evaluation, and management. Nancy’s experience extends across the public, private, and development sectors, highlighting her adaptability and versatility in different contexts. Nancy holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication (Public Relations) and an MBA (Strategic Management and Electronic Commerce) from Daystar University and the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

Partners’ Side Events

Can seaweed added to feed lower the methane emissions from cows?
Biologist Ermias Kebreab feeds seaweed to dairy cows to find out if it will reduce methane emissions from livestock.

Dr. Aghan Joshua Oscar is a prolific innovator with over 22 years of experience in the private and public sectors. He has founded numerous social entities, of which Green Pavers and Eco Bio Fertilizer is part of a heavy presence in East Africa in the recycling space. In Eco Bio Fertilizer, he is using his newly innovated enzyme to hasten organic waste bio-degraded organic resin while incorporating the ALV technology on his freshly developed cement cellular light cement products. Today, the group's operation spans plastic recycling, organic fertilizer, bio-mas energy production, machine fabrication, chain-link manufacturing, cement manufacturing, food processing, water and sanitation, construction, agribusiness, training, and Public Health Practice and Management Consultancy.

Mieke is an engagement with evidence specialist who works at the intersection between science, policy, and practice and is a co-developer of the Stakeholder Approach to Risk-informed and Evidence-based Decision-making (SHARED). For the past two and a half years, Mieke has led Regreening Africa. This ambitious program aimed to restore a million hectares of land to benefit over 500,000 households across eight countries. Mieke has over 15 years of experience working on natural resource management, building resilience to climate change, community-based approaches, and facilitation, with 12 years spent in Kenya.

Dorine Were is a committed scholar and environmental activist with a particular interest in the effects of climate change on freshwater systems and the environment. With a background in marine and fisheries research, she has made significant contributions to the sector through skills and achievements by participating in the routine monitoring of water quality in Lake Victoria, studying the impact of pollution and its effect on the water quality and that of the aquatic ecosystem.

Anne is a cultural practitioner keen on shifting narratives on culture and its policies. Her work involves promoting the creative economy through culture resuscitation, boosting cultural tourism, and strengthening literacy. She is the founder of Rusinga Festival - one of the most significant cultural celebrations in Kenya, offering music, fashion, film, food, artistry, literature, sports and games, and conversations around culture and heritage – providing an answer to the question ‘Can a people die?’ The festival has received extensive coverage in local media, drawing government attention to the resuscitation, preservation, and promotion of the endangered Suba culture and heritage.

Nessie Mwendwa is a budding social scientist passionate about mental health, environmental research, and conservation. As a counseling psychologist, she aims to use art, psychology, and love for nature to promote people's well-being, minds, and the planet. With five years of experience in waste management, Nessie is committed to contributing to policymaking and practices that ensure waste is handled as a valuable resource and biodiversity thrive alongside human beings. Her goal is to focus on the interconnectedness of things and promote positive change.