When A Sapling is Planted

Wangari Mutai Maathai

 What inspired Wangari Maathai to launch the Green Belt Movement?

Her childhood experiences made Wangari Maathai to work for the betterment of the environment.  In her childhood she witnessed forests being cleared for commercial plantations. Commercial plantations destroyed the local bio diversity and the capacity of earth to conserve water. The women in Africa lacked the basic requirements like firewood, clean drinking water, balanced diet, shelter and income to sustain their families. She thought tree planting can address these basic issues.

What is the role of women in African societies?

Women in Africa are the primary care takers of their families. They hold significant responsibility in tilling the land and feeding their families.

What is the danger of Commercial farming?  .Commercial faming first of all destroys local bio diversity. The local communities find it difficult to grow food crops and therefore they would not have balanced diet. International trade controls the price of commercial crops and the farmers have no say in the price. They exploit the farmers and their income drops drastically.

Why did tree planting become a natural choice for Wangari Maathai and Green Belt Movement to address basic issues identified by women?

Tree planting is simple, attainable, and guarantees quick, successful results within a reasonable amount of time. This sustains interests and commitment too. The Green Belt Movement planted about 30 million trees in Kenya and provided fuel, food, shelter, income and employment to the people.

What does environmental degradation lead to?

A degraded environment leads to a scarcity of natural resources. It will lead to poverty and conflicts. People will fight for the remaining scarce resources. It will also cause climatic instability, contamination of soil and water.

Why does Wangari Maathai say that we need to have a shift in our thinking?

Wangari Maathai says that we need to change our thinking. Though the Green Belt Movement started 30 years ago the basic challenges remain. Activities that devastate the environment continue unabated. The humanity should stop threatening its life support system. If we damage the environment irreparably our own existence would come at a short notice. We need to embrace the whole of creation with all its diversity, beauty and wonder. The earth belongs not only to man and the present generation. The animals, birds, plant life and the future generation too have the right to be an integral part of the mother earth.

What is the challenge that we face?

The challenge before us is to restore the environment by healing the deep wounds that man has inflicted in it. Restoring the home of tadpoles, giving our children a world of beauty and wonder should be our priority.

Why democratic space is important in the protection of environment?

A democratic environment is essential for the protection of Natural environment. Only a democratically responsible government heed to the voice of the people. An autocratic government never cares for the people or degradation to the environment.