A lack of funding, political will and growing security concerns are stalling Africa's Great Green Wall - an ambitious project that aims to combat climate change, create jobs and halt desertification.
In the last three years Burkinabe’s Sahel, north and east regions have become inaccessible. Much of the Sahelian region designated for the Green Wall is rife with security issues, with efforts in Sudan, Ethiopia, Mali, Chad, Niger and Nigeria all impacted.
First proposed in 2005, the program aims to plant a forest all the way from Senegal on the Atlantic Ocean in the west to Eritrea, Ethiopia and Djibouti in the east. It’s hoped the initiative will create millions of green jobs in rural Africa, reduce levels of climate-related migration in the region and capture hundreds of millions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
“What we are calling for now is action to accelerate the implementation of such a program to make sure that farmers, pastoralists, local communities and women are all associated with it,” he added. Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Sudan have all expanded their efforts, with Ethiopia producing 5.5 billion seedlings leading to thousands of hectares of restored land as well as an uptick in job creation. Efforts in Eritrea and Sudan have also resulted in nearly 140,000 hectares of afforestation.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Richard Bland's ball stopped and rolled off green by squirrel at PGA ChampionshipWatch here: In the video, Bland's ball rolls onto the green, only for the squirrel to stop it and roll it around before scurrying away.
Read more »
Golfer's ball stopped and rolled off green by squirrel at PGA ChampionshipThe English golfer posted a video on social media showing a squirrel choosing his golf ball as something to chew on rather than an acorn.
Read more »
Ten Places to Get the Best Green Chile in DenverChilly weather is the perfect time for green chile. Here are ten favorite spots in metro Denver...
Read more »