Chapter 1, Problem 1.1CTDQ

To determine

If environmental and social conditions in Kibera give hope or fear about the future.

Answer to Problem 1.1CTDQ

The increasing use of renewable resources in Kibera gives hope about the future that the environmental and social conditions in Kibera will improve.

Explanation of Solution

Environment is defined as the conditions which surround an individual. It can be natural environment or the environment which humans build around themselves, known a social environment.

Kibera is the largest slum in Nairobi, situated in Kenya. Almost $2.5$ million people reside here. Shelters are constructed using bricks, mud or tin roofing. This area is prone to flood as it lies along Nairobi River. There is no proper system for sewage disposal. The Kibera also suffers from pollution and health hazards which are produced by neighboring areas. The huge population leads to unemployment, turning the unemployed population into criminals. Even after replacing these slums with proper housing, the people are unable to afford them. Population growth leads to depletion of natural resources like soil, forest and water. The consumption of energy and material goods also increases.

Global efforts have been made to improve the conditions of Kibera. The Green Climate Fund aims to help areas such as Kibera to produce electricity in a renewable manner so that environmental pollution can be reduced. Along with global efforts, African countries have the potential to produce renewable energies like wind energy, solar energy and geothermal energy. These efforts can bring a huge difference on the degrading environmental and social conditions in Kibera.