Impact stories
Joyce and her community are harnessing the power of nature to fight climate injustice
“That’s the thing about climate activism. You just have to take action. But if one person takes action, and a million of you take action, then we have a ripple effect.” – Joyce Koech, activist and founder of Blue Earth Organisation.
Communities Fighting Back: Restoring the Mangroves
Joyce knows all too well how one seemingly small action can ignite great change. A teacher by profession, she co-founded the Blue Earth organisation in 2020, out of her passion for the environment. And since then, they’ve mobilised the community to plant over 30,000 mangrove trees off the coast of Mombasa, Kenya – Joyce’s hometown.
But why mangroves?
Mangroves lie on the coast of Mombasa; they are trees that grow on the salty waters. They take in 10 times more CO2 than terrestrial forests, as well as preventing soil erosion and increasing biodiversity!”
Joyce Koech
Joyce Koech sits in a boat, Mombasa County, Kenya. Credit: Victor Wahome/Oxfam.
The Power of the Mangroves
“My name is Joyce Koech. I’m a climate activist, advocate and mostly, a passionate mangrove conservationist. I realised that I had been seeing these mangrove trees all my life, but I had never known their power!
I told myself I have found a local solution to the climate crisis... and now I can do something.
Along the way I co-founded the Blue Earth Organisation. It’s been an amazing journey. I have met many people and inspired my community through the power of unity and nature-based solutions. Together, we have managed to restore degraded areas and bring back biodiversity by planting more than 30,000 mangroves."
This has been our climate action, our way of taking away carbon emissions.”
Joyce Koech
Now, thanks to the work of Blue Earth, the coast of Mombasa is seeing a return of biodiversity. And their goal of healthy mangroves that communities can benefit from economically is coming to fruition.
Fighting for Climate Justice and Gender Equality
Joyce’s work goes far beyond restoring and harnessing the power of the mangroves in her community. She also passionately advocates for climate justice, especially highlighting gender inequalities and the vital contributions of women and girls.
Countries like mine, Kenya, contribute very little to global emissions, yet we are faced with the harshest reality of the climate crisis, from severe droughts to flooding to extreme heatwaves. This is climate injustice because it is the marginalised communities who are affected the most.”
Joyce Koech
In such trying situations, women and girls become more vulnerable to unpaid domestic labour and gender-based violence. Increasingly, young girls are forced out of school and into arranged marriages so families can recoup lost livelihoods. Often, women are also excluded from decision-making even though, as Joyce advocates, “they are powerful agents in the fight against climate change.”
Credit: Victor Wahome/Oxfam
Inspiring the Next Generation of change-makers
Like all of us, Joyce knows she won’t be here forever, and she can’t tackle the climate crisis alone. That’s why it’s so important to her to bring people together, inspire the community and reach out to young people.
Joyce Koech poses for a photo, Mombasa County, Kenya. Credit: Victor Wahome/Oxfam.
Every day I’m inspired to see small actions create big impacts. My motivation for young people is that your actions today can be our big hope for tomorrow.”
Joyce Koech
Joyce Koech and Khadijah Suleiman talk, Mombasa County, Kenya. Credit: Victor Wahome/Oxfam.
Reaching out
It was through a school outreach program that Joyce met Khadijah Suleiman, a student in Mombasa.
Her passion for helping communities shone through and Joyce is confident she’s a change-maker for the future.
The person who inspires me is Joyce. Young people can create awareness. We can also participate in demonstrations and go and talk to leaders about climate change.”
Khadijah
Amplifying Her Voice
If Joyce looks familiar at all, you may recognise her from the telly! She featured in Oxfam’s legacy advert, playing herself - a passionate activist - and showing her determination to fight for a fairer world.
I’m proud to be featured in a film with such a powerful message and to pass that message on and encourage people to stay in the fight. It is our responsibility to leave a better planet for young people. We have a planet to protect, not only for us, but for future generations.”
Joyce Koech
This is what I want to leave – a legacy. It might not be big; it might not be flashy but still, I did leave a footprint.”
Joyce Koech
Joyce is helping to create a better tomorrow. Let your loved ones know there are still people out there fighting for a fairer future - one small step at a time.
Joyce Koech poses for a photo with muddy hands in Mombasa County, Kenya. Credit: Victor Wahome/Oxfam.
