Abstract The unit-based sustainability assessment tool (USAT) was administered at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), Kenya, between January and March 2012. The assessment focused on establishing to what extent the University integrated sustainability concerns into its core functions of teaching, research and community engagement. Using a unit-based assessment tool allowed for ‘building the picture’ of the whole university, as well as concentrating on specific un...
Abstract The unit-based sustainability assessment tool (USAT) was administered at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), Kenya, between January and March 2012. The assessment focused on establishing to what extent the University integrated sustainability concerns into its core functions of teaching, research and community engagement. Using a unit-based assessment tool allowed for ‘building the picture’ of the whole university, as well as concentrating on specific un...
Abstract Seagrass and associated blue carbon ecosystems are important carbon sinks, and hence understanding their spatial and temporal variability is vital in appreciating their potential roles in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Indo-Pacific region has the highest seagrass biodiversity, yet little focus has been made to compare seagrass habitat extent and carbon dynamics with their temperate counterparts. The present study assessed habitat characteristics and seagrass species ...
Abstract: Africa is highly vulnerable to climate change according to the United Nations and IPCC (2014). This study investigated the effects of climate change in Africa and its influence towards asylum seeking and refugee status. Information from the selected sample studies indicates that climate change would influence human wellbeing, the ecosystem, and infrastructure in Africa. Furthermore, climate change has prompted displacement of the populace in the regions most affected. The most pred...
Abstract: This study focuses on the assessment of the link between renewable energy and goal 7 of Sustainable Development Goals in Kenya, a case study of Kikuyu constituency in Kiambu County. Though the renewable energy sector is not relatively new, its growth in Kenya is at a low pace as compared to the other developing countries. Despite the huge potential of renewable energy especially biogas in Kenya, most renewable energy especially biogas systems technology market penetration is notabl...
Abstract: Efficiency and Effectiveness in governance is fundamental for management of water resources. Several countries across the world are racing to institute sound reforms to ensure people have access to clean, safe water in enough quantities. Kenya is among the countries that have strived to come up with a raft of reforms to ensure effective management and access to water resources for sustainable development. Whereas significant steps have been made to ensure there is reliable access t...
Abstract: This thesis is organized in the following manner: First, chapter one presents the background of the study, the problem statement and research objectives the study is seeking to answer; justification of the study, and the scope of the study. It covers the background of Busia County, one of the 147 counties of Kenya and its County Water Department. The chapter also introduces the concept of Value for Money in project planning and management. Chapter two of this proposal examines avai...
Abstract: Change in land use has had major impacts on natural resources. Mountain terrains and their associated natural resources are especially vulnerable to extensive changes in land use. We evaluated climate, demographic and socio-economic changes for two study areas in the Drakensberg Mountains, as possible drivers of land use change in each study area. The most notable change in land use within the study areas was the increase in urban areas despite the fact that the study areas are loc...
Abstract: The invasive plant known as bugweed (Solanum mauritianum) is a notorious invader of forestry plantations in the eastern parts of South Africa. Not only is bugweed considered to be one of five most widespread invasive alien plant (IAP) species in the summer rainfall regions of South Africa but it is also one of the worst invasive alien plants in Africa. It forms dense infestations that not only impacts upon commercial forestry activities but also causes significant ecological and en...
Abstract: Management of the natural resource of a drainage basin primarily for the production and protection is considered essential for soil and water conservation. Despite an increase in CDF allocations, watershed management approaches are not integrated in local development projects to realize sustainability. The study assessed the need and ways of considering watershed management approaches in CDF projects. Key objectives included to determine the relative importance of factors that infl...