The Flipflopi, a dhow made from recycled plastic, has set sail on its second voyage, taking to riverine communities in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya to highlight the importance of reversing the damage of plastic pollution to communities that depend on Lake Victoria.

Walking, cycling, picnicking in Nairobi’s lush Karura Forest, it is often hard to believe one is a mere two kilometres from the centre of one of Africa’s busiest cities. The woodlands are sprawling and serene, home to extraordinary biodiversity - indigenous plants and trees, 200 bird species, including Hawk and Africa Crowned eagles, owls, butterflies and colobus monkeys – which provide a  sharp contrast to nearby fume-choked roads.

• World’s first recycled plastic sailing dhow will promote circular solutions and call for an end to unnecessary single-use plastic in the region 

• The Lake Victoria expedition - setting sail on 4^th March - is promoting regional collaboration to address plastic pollution 

• Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake, is facing a myriad of environmental and social challenges that could impact t

Kenya is emerging as a leader in the fight against plastic pollution and is among the first countries in East Africa to limit single-use plastics and sign the Clean Seas initiative to rid waterways of plastic waste.

Lake Naivasha in southern-central Kenya is famed for its flower farms, fisheries and diverse wildlife, including buffalos, hippos and Eurasian migratory birds. The main inflow into the lake is from the Malewa river on the northern shores.  At the river mouth, there is a wetland which once spanned 1,350 hectares.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is helping communities across Africa make their streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, which advocates say is crucial on a continent with the world’s deadliest roads.

Nairobi, 16 October 2020 – More than 400 young Africans were today honoured for their leadership in addressing plastic pollution in their communities as part of the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge. At a high-level event, political leaders, senior UN officials and Grammy-nominated Ghanaian musician Rocky Dawuni lauded the leadership shown by young people in global efforts to fight plastic pollution.

• The Flipflopi, the world’s first sailing boat (dhow) made entirely from plastic waste collected from towns and beaches in Kenya, is headed to Lake Victoria to raise awareness of the pollution plaguing the region’s most critical freshwater ecosystem
• Along with the initiative is a petition calling on all East African Community Member States to reach a regional consensus on banning non-essential single-use plastics
• The boat

The Share the Road Programme supports governments and other stakeholders in developing countries to move towards investing in infrastructure for those who walk and cycle.

COVID-19 lockdowns have confined people to their homes across the world. For some, this causes stress and mental anguish.  People need greenery: research shows that green spaces in and around cities have mental health benefits.