Mother Nature: Wangari Maathai

In honor of Black History Month, I would like to recognize the achievements of Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Wangari Maathai of Kenya. Dr. Maathai is one of the most visible, credentialed and globally recognized leaders of the green movement. In fact, she founded the Green Belt Movement, which is responsible for the planting of over ONE BILLION trees worldwide. She started by encouraging women in Kenya to plant trees on their farms, schools and churches. This movement spread across the continent and formed the Pan African Green Belt Movement, developing ecologically sensitive leaders across Africa. Hopefully these leaders can effectively represent the needs of the individuals of the continent while promoting an environmental agenda and guard against eco-colonialism as discussed in previous posts. Anyway, Dr. Maathai has taken on leadership roles in movements and initiatives to reduce poverty across the continent of Africa and abuse of the land by multiple parties. To learn more about Dr. Maathai, read the bio provided. I am curious to know about the current fate of Dr. Maathai, given the political unrest that has gripped Kenya as of late. I will include an update in future posts.