GBM Blog

It is now generally agreed that climate change poses one of the greatest challenges facing the world in the 21^st century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) notes that climate change, if not tackled, will have a severe negative impact on global water supply, agricultural yields, marine ecosystems and the spread of vector-borne diseases, and could result in the displacement of thousands of people from coastal cities and small islands (Kenya climate change action plan). 

October 15^th has been declared by the UN as International Rural Women’s Day. This important day was started in 1995 during the Beijing Conference on Women to hour rural women. It is no coincidence that International Rural Women’s Day for the Elimination of Poverty, October 17^th. When Rural Women succeed to their rightful place, world food production will increase and poverty will decrease.

On this day, the Green Belt Movement (GBM) Board Members, staff, members of GBM’s tree nursery groups, and the public came together to pay homage to our fallen heroine with some very special guests.

Students at Yale's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies hosted a two day symposium celebrating Wangari Maathai's legacy and discussed Africa's environmental future.  The event, "Africa's Green Future: Nurturing the Vision of Wangari Maathai" featured a viewing of Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai as well as a discussion with filmmakers Lisa Merton and Alan Dater, an interview with Wanjira Mathai, a panel discussion of African scholars, workshops, and a ceremonial tree planting in honor of Wangari Maathai.