The Africa Union combined Wangari Maathai Day and Africa Environment Day, in 2012. Wangari Maathai Day ‘recognises the work and life of the late Professor Wangari Maathai who dedicated her life to promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development in Africa and was the first African Woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (2004), ‘for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace’.’
‘The occasion of Wangari Maathai Day symbolizes a challenge and hope for Africa aiming to raise awareness on sustainable environmental management among all stakeholders at national, regional, and continental levels. It also draws attention to the increasing environmental problems faced by the continent and encourages the development of appropriate policies at national and regional levels and enhances environmental sustainability.’
About Prof. Wangari Maathai
Prof. Wangari Maathai, founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental Non-Governmental Organisation focused on addressing deforestation and environmental degradation and the greater impact of these factors on the livelihoods of rural women who bore the brunt of the negative environmental impact on agriculture and foods security thereby leading to disenfranchisement. Prof. Wangari led the fight to protect water catchment areas advocating for the planting of trees, environmental conservation, and women’s rights in Kenya. In 2004, she became the first African woman to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for her contribution to “sustainable development, democracy and peace”. She authored several books including: The Green Belt Movement; Unbowed: A Memoir; The Challenge for Africa; and Replenishing the Earth.
To learn more about Wangari Maathai and the Greenbelt Movement visit the website of the Dedan Kimati University of Technology in Nyeri, Kenya: https://www.dkut.ac.ke/index.php/wangari-maathai-day-africa-environment-day
Most of the text for this webpage came from:
- Primary source: Africa Union page: https://au.int/en/wangari-maathai-day
- The Legacy of Wangari Maathai, United Nations interview with her daughter: https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/march-2021/%E2%80%98-legacy-wangari-maathai-continues%E2%80%99
- Greenbelt Movement, started by Wangari Maathai: https://www.greenbeltmovement.org/node/958
Worship Resources addressing our climate crisis:
