176 Forests
The Green Belt Movement
Wangari Maathai, a woman from the East African country of Kenya, says
Mount Kenya used to be a shy mountain, always hidden behind clouds. This
mountain is sacred to her people because many rivers flow from the forests
that once covered the mountain’s slopes. Now, Mount Kenya is no longer shy.
The clouds that covered it are gone, and so are the forests. And with the loss of
the forests and clouds, the rivers also have begun to dry up.
As she grew up, Wangari saw how deforestation led to soil erosion, loss
of water sources, and a scarcity of firewood. She began to understand that
deforestation caused poverty and drought. So Wangari began planting trees.
Wangari organized a group of women to plant trees around their homes
and fields. Because they planted trees in rows or “belts,” they became known
as the Green Belt Movement. The women of the Green Belt Movement began
to teach other people how their lives were affected by deforestation and to
plant trees with them. They brought fruit trees to farmers, and planted them
on hillsides to prevent erosion. By planting trees in both cities and villages to
create green spaces, give shade, and to provide firewood, they showed how
planting trees could solve many problems. The Green Belt Movement also
planted vegetable gardens, built small dams to capture rainwater, and held
workshops to help people understand the need for healthy forests.
In taking responsibility for their environment, the Green Belt Movement
realized they needed the support of their government to care for the
environment for the good of all Kenyans. Planting trees became an expression
of a movement for peace and democracy in Kenya. When conflicts arose
between different communities, the Green Belt Movement used “peace trees” to
help bring them together.
As a woman who planted trees, Wangari became a hero in her country.
But she also faced many hardships. Unable to live with such a strong woman,
her husband left her. Because she organized among the poor, her government
arrested her. But because of her bravery, and the work of thousands of
Kenyans, the Green Belt Movement succeeded in planting
millions of trees.
In 2004, Wangari Maathai won the Nobel Peace
Prize, one of the most honored awards in the world.
The prize was given to her for promoting peace
through a sustainable development that includes
democracy, human
rights, and equality
for women. And
it all started with
planting trees.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012