Major contributors to environmental degradation in the county

The major contributor to environmental degradation in the county is Population pressure which has resulted in destruction of water catchment areas like Nyansembe forest in Gucha South district for farming purposes. The depletion of vegetation, together with the hilly terrain also contributes to soil erosion in the county. The application of farm chemicals has caused pollution on both surface and undersurface water sources. The coffee and tea processing factories contribute to water pollution through discharging the effluent into the rivers. Mining of soapstone has also led to land degradation. To reduce environmental degradation, there is need to encourage use of organic farming and protection of hilltops by afforestaion and encouraging agro forestry.

 Effects of environmental degradation

 The main effects of environmental degradation are destruction of water catchment areas, increased spread of diseases like malaria due to uncovered quarries sites as well as landslides .There is pollution on both surface and undersurface water. Due to deforestation, rainfall patterns are gradually changing and this has made it difficult for farmers to predict the weather patterns.

Climate change and its effects in the county

The weather pattern has significantly changed resulting to unpredictable planting seasons in the county. This has led to poor agricultural produce resulting to high levels of food insecurity.

 Climate change mitigation measures and adaptation strategies

 Some of the mitigation measures and adaptation strategies are protection of catchment areas through planting of tree species that do not use a lot of water ,protection of land exposed to soil erosion and reclamation through terracing and gabion construction. Other measures include rehabilitation of infertile land through use of organic materials and encourage usage of renewable energy like the use of biogas and solar energy which are environmental friendly.