 |
| © Epic, 2010 |
"The planting of trees is the planting of ideas. By starting with the simple act of planting a tree, we give hope to ourselves and to future generations."
In 1971 Wangari Maathai became the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree. Her education in biology and anatomy had instilled in her a passion for environmental preservation and sustainability. After completing her schooling, Wangari taught veterinary anatomy at the University of Nairobi. But Wangari was also active in many community organizations including the National Council of Women in Kenya (NCWK). In 1976 Wangari first introduced and developed her idea to plant trees using womens groups.
On World Environment Day in 1977, NCWK members marched to a park in downtown Nairobi. There they planted seven trees to honor community leaders. This was the first of many "green belts" in Africa. Wangari saw planting trees as a way to fight deforestation, soil erosion, and drought in Kenya. But there was more. She also viewed planting trees as the first step in creating empowered womens groups who could come together to fight for equity, good governance, and peace.
As time passed, Wangari's small idea evolved into a large organization called the Green Belt Movement. In the 1980s, the Green Belt Movement started to train people from all over Africa in their approach to conserving the environment and empowering women. Green Belt Movements started to spring up all over the continent, then all over the world.
Thanks to Wangari's Green Belt Movement, over 40 million trees have been planted at homes, schools, and churches around the world. Forests have been restored. Soil erosion has been reduced. Thousands of women and families have taken a stand for their environmental and human rights. The Green Belt Movement hopes to plant one billion trees in the next decade.
Sources
PBS's Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai Trailer
No comments:
Post a Comment