Green Belt Movement
Planting trees is one of the main purposes of the Green Belt Movement
The Green Belt Movement (GBM) is an environmental organization in the country of Kenya started by Professor Wangari Maathai in 1977. The women in the rural communities and villages reported that their streams were drying up causing crops to die and livestock to reduce in numbers. This process was threatening their food sources and livelihood. Additionally, women and young children had to walk further and further from their villages to get firewood for fuel or fencing, and access to more water.
The Green Belt Movement (GBM) is an environmental organization in the country of Kenya started by Professor Wangari Maathai in 1977. The women in the rural communities and villages reported that their streams were drying up causing crops to die and livestock to reduce in numbers. This process was threatening their food sources and livelihood. Additionally, women and young children had to walk further and further from their villages to get firewood for fuel or fencing, and access to more water.
GBM encourages women to work together to grow seedlings (baby trees), plant trees, store/save rainwater, produce food and firewood. Eventually, they receive a little bit money from their work. Planting trees has helped to protect the environment while also planning for future economic development to break the cycle of poverty.
GBM encourages women to work together to grow seedlings (baby trees), plant trees, store/save rainwater, produce food and firewood. Eventually, they receive a little bit money from their work. Planting trees has helped to protect the environment while also planning for future economic development to break the cycle of poverty.
How does planting trees solve their problem? Trees affect the way water moves through the soil As tree roots grow they make large channels for water to move through. Tree branches and leaves stop raindrops from hitting the ground too fast so the soil has more time to absorb the rain water. Less water will run off the surface or cause soil erosion. Trees also provide shade so that less water evaporates from the soil. This is particularly important in hot, dry areas like Kenya. As more rain falls, water moves deeper into the soil. Then the water will start to flow into streams and rivers, flowing out the side of a hill or gathering in a pond or lake. Since Wangari started the movement over 51 million trees have been planted.
How does planting trees solve their problem? Trees affect the way water moves through the soil As tree roots grow they make large channels for water to move through. Tree branches and leaves stop raindrops from hitting the ground too fast so the soil has more time to absorb the rain water. Less water will run off the surface or cause soil erosion. Trees also provide shade so that less water evaporates from the soil. This is particularly important in hot, dry areas like Kenya. As more rain falls, water moves deeper into the soil. Then the water will start to flow into streams and rivers, flowing out the side of a hill or gathering in a pond or lake. Since Wangari started the movement over 51 million trees have been planted.
The organization not only seeks to help protect the environment, but also allows women in rural villages to develop economically. When the forest has regrown and the streams are flowing with water, people can begin to plant their crops again. Once they have their crops, the villagers have food to eat and other ways to make money. Over 30,000 women have been trained (educated) in forestry, food-processing, and bee keeping and other jobs by GBM; that helps them earn money while preserving (protecting) their lands and resources.
The organization not only seeks to help protect the environment, but also allows women in rural villages to develop economically. When the forest has regrown and the streams are flowing with water, people can begin to plant their crops again. Once they have their crops, the villagers have food to eat and other ways to make money. Over 30,000 women have been trained (educated) in forestry, food-processing, and bee keeping and other jobs by GBM; that helps them earn money while preserving (protecting) their lands and resources.
The main way GBM raises money is through donations. Because the organization has received a lot of attention worldwide they have a global network of private and business donors that help make the organization run. People can donate monthly or as a one-time gift. Company’s can get tax breaks for donating large amounts to the organization. And, a new popular way to raise money is to donate a tree in someone's name. Instead of giving a gift you can Gift-A-Tree in their honor for a holiday.
The main way GBM raises money is through donations. Because the organization has received a lot of attention worldwide they have a global network of private and business donors that help make the organization run. People can donate monthly or as a one-time gift. Company’s can get tax breaks for donating large amounts to the organization. And, a new popular way to raise money is to donate a tree in someone's name. Instead of giving a gift you can Gift-A-Tree in their honor for a holiday.
An organization that began as a simple movement to plant trees in order to save water sources has gone way beyond just helping the environment. It has helped to strengthen the understanding of rural communities to take action against climate change, demand greater government accountability, and fight for women’s equality. Already, the movement has changed impacted lives across Kenya, and Africa as a whole.
An organization that began as a simple movement to plant trees in order to save water sources has gone way beyond just helping the environment. It has helped to strengthen the understanding of rural communities to take action against climate change, demand greater government accountability, and fight for women’s equality. Already, the movement has changed impacted lives across Kenya, and Africa as a whole.