Kenya's Maasai plead for help against global warming

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061110/sc_afp/unclimatekenyamaasai_061110114504

NAIROBI (AFP) - Members of Kenya's Maasai tribe have appealed for "urgent action" to fight climate change, saying global warming for which they are not responsible is destroying their traditional way of life.

On the sidelines of crucial UN climate change meeting in the Kenyan capital, they said their time-honored, cattle-based society is unjustly threatened by greenhouse gas emissions from developed countries far from their homes.

...

"We had hardly little rains for the last three years, animals are dying, children are not going to school and women are spending most of their time in search of water, not doing economic activities to support their livelihood."

"We are calling for justice and want urgent action," said Looremetta, who is also a member of the British-based aid agency Practical Action.

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1. Malaria surge in Kenyan highlands may be tied to global warming

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061107/hl_afp/unclimatekenyahealthmalaria_061107165944

"NAIROBI (AFP) - Warmer temperatures linked to global warming may be responsible for surge in malaria cases in Kenya's highlands, once largely free of the mosquitos that carry the disease.

Amid continuing debate over the health consequences of climate change, specifically the spread of vector-borne afflictions like malaria, scientists reported growing cases in the highlands that correspond to higher temperatures.

"Malaria is the most climate-sensitive, vector-borne disease affecting most of the African population," said Andrew Githeko, a researcher with Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Tuesday.

"Both global warming and increased climate variability can increase malaria transmission," he told AFP on the sidelines of the 12th UN conference of parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Nairobi. ..."

The so-called conservatives say that fighting global warming and protecting OUR environment "costs too much".