Skip to content

Politics

The Great Green wall Grows and Grows (in Paris too)

by JW.Dowey 07 Dec 2015
The Great Green wall Grows and Grows (in Paris too)

The Dogon people of Mali grow trees in their town at Bandiagara Cliff but struggle to prevent desertification outside in the encroaching sands Bandiagara image; Credit: © Shutterstock

The African achievement of a line of forest to contain the Sahara isn’t obviously connected to climate. It certainly affects desertification, which itself affects climate as much as any other cause. Deforestation is an example, as the 3rd largest cause of greenhouse gas emissions. The African Restoration Initiative (AFR100) aims to make forests into great carbon sinks that absorb carbon dioxide gas by means of photosynthesis. Such a natural approach is at least guaranteed to work in known ways. The Green Belt Movement, for example, is combating African forest degradation as well as desertification. Countries involved include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Togo and Uganda. Meanwhile Chad is providing a useful exhibition on GGW (The Great Green Wall) progress in Paris this week.

Other facets to the forest include providing sustenance. 350 million people in less developed communities and indigenous populations use wood as their main source of heating and cooking, while hunting and gathering forest products provides daily subsistence when there is little else. The advantage of the Green Wall is that it provides many opportunities for cooperation between those with technical expertise, conservation groups and finance. A billion dollars (920 euros) have so far been allocated by partners, alongside a further half million from private sources. The greenery acts like a beacon to attract those who need to protect their land area. It also has technical help from the German ministry for economic cooperation and development, the US-based World Resources Institute, the World Bank and the African Union.

Today sees the resumption of the Paris COP21 Conference where 195 nations are involved. Along with African countries, the South Americans have similar forestry objectives. So many hectares of the Atlantic Forest and Amazonia have been lost this year, that the death and destruction of the past seem to have been forgotten. Even the IUCN has become involved in practical economy in terms of food security and actual income. The Bonn Challenge in 2011 began the restoration of 150 million hectares (375million acres) of world forest. Much more could be achieved with a further 2 billion hectares. This would produce at least 11% of the carbon absorption needed to bring down the emissions gap. Using the Africans as a guide, Brazil and Peru, Colombia and Venezuela may be able to provide reassurance that their forests won’t disappear as many did in the Sahel. Sustainability is possibly one of the neglected area of the climate change equation. The forest stands as a renewable resource, not only of energy, but also of life and oxygen, carbon sink and pure enjoyment!

Water problems including desertification are well covered from China to California, and even the Philippines in the article we have here.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping