Wangari Maathai and Ecologically Sustainable Development

Wangari Maathai and Ecologically Sustainable Development - How much difference can planting one tree make? A lot, as Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai of Kenya has shown. Maathai, who was awarded the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize for her “contribution to sustainable development, democracy, and peace,” founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977. This grassroots group organizes volunteers primarily rural women to plant indigenous trees in forests, wildlife reserves, farms, and public places. Tree planting helps to reverse some of the serious problems caused by deforestation, including erosion, loss of biodiversity, and decreased water supply.

Green Belt Movement
volunteers plant a tree

Green Belt Movement volunteers have planted more than 30 million trees since the group was founded and continue to maintain more than 6000 tree nurseries across Kenya. Maathai’s Green Belt Movement also uses tree planting as an entry point for other activities. By enabling local communities to change environmental history, the organization empowers them to address issues related to environmental conservation, community consciousness, equity, livelihood security, and accountability. Maathai’s model has inspired similar groups in other countries, including Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe. 

How important is environmentalism to the world?

In Maathai’s words, “Some people have asked what the relationship is between peace and environment, and

to them I say that many wars are fought over resources, which are becoming increasingly scarce across the earth. If we did a better job of managing our resources sustainably, conflicts over them would be reduced. So, protecting the global environment is directly related to securing peace.”*

key word : Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai planting, Nobel Peace Prize 2004, Wangari Maathai Articles | Harvard International Review, Environmental responsibility is social responsibility, Earth Mother Wangari Maathai Dead at 71, Environmental Activist Maathai of Kenya Wins Peace Prize, Wangari Maathai First African Woman to be honored, Statement of African Development Foundation, Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai to Deliver Lecture