The Green Belt Movement: A Simpler Approach to Restoring the Environment
- Sophie Wassef
- Jan 7, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 27
Wangari Maathai teaches us that sometimes the best and most effective approaches to restoring the environment are the simplest.
51 million trees planted. Thousands of citizens mobilized. This is a story of restoring the environment and improving the livelihoods of its caretakers. The Green Belt Movement (GBM) started out with a need and a woman who was willing to find the solutions. Kenyan native, Wangari Maathai began the movement that is now referred to as the Green Belt Movement as she was responding to the needs of rural Kenyan women. These women reported that their "streams were drying up, their food supply was less secure, and they had to walk further and further to get firewood for fuel and fencing". Maathai's solution: growing seedlings and planting trees.
In a few decades, the relationship between the environment, resources and conflict may seem almost as obvious as the connection we see today between human rights, democracy and peace. - Wangari Maathai
Though it may sound simple, the GBM has catalyzed major improvements in not only Kenya's nature, but also in the livelihoods of Kenya's citizens. Planting trees has helped meet many of the initial needs at the core of the movement. For example, the planted trees act as water reservoirs and their root systems filter out toxic pollutants. Trees alone have the power to improve both the quantity and quality of water! In terms of the environment, planting trees have the power to rehabilitate degrading forests and their ecosystems. In 2020, the GBM mobilized communities to rehabilitate 20 hectares of degraded forest land through planting 20,000 indigenous tree seedings. The GBM is not just a movement for nature, however, it is a movement that aims to address poverty and give women the opportunity to earn their own wages. It provides income opportunities for rural farmers to grow tree seedlings and trains rural women to grow tree seedlings.
At the core of the GBM is the initiative to help humans regain their relationship with nature and respect for nature. I believe this is something that all environmental advocates can learn from. Starting at the grassroots and engaging our communities in our conservation efforts is the best way to make change. To be able to change the mindset of society at large, you have to engage with citizens and help them feel connected to Earth in order to deepen their need to protect it. The GBM is also a reminder that we cannot expect environmental efforts to go from 0 to 100. It takes time to bring change and shape society; you cannot expect people to change instantly, but you can give them the tools to change and the time to grow. All in all, the Green Belt Movement serves as a reminder that sometimes, the best and most effective approaches to restoring the environment are the simplest.
Thank you for reading! I hope you learned something new!
-- Sophie Wassef
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