Ethiopia Approaching 500 million Trees Planted!
Most people know the images we see of starving Ethiopians in the media are over 40 years old and that Ethiopia has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Yet somehow many of us have missed the fact that Ethiopia is one of the few countries determined to put their money where their mouths are when it comes to climate change solutions. In the past 50 years, Ethiopia had lost 98% of its forested areas. To mediate this, it planted an estimated 350 million trees in just a single day in 2019 a world record, and the planting continues.
Their success has inspired other countries, like Pakistan, India and China to do the same. The campaign, known as the Green Legacy Initiative, has been championed by the country's Nobel peace prize-winning Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali and it is an example of what can be done to stop climate change. In a recent public statement about his efforts Minister Ahmed. Stated “Preventing flooding, food insecurity, environment related conflicts and other adverse effects is in our hands. When I call upon all Ethiopians to “Adorn Ethiopia” the call is to cover our nation Green; to see beyond lines of division - regional, ethnic, religious…To combat environmental degradation, Ethiopia committed to restoring 15 million hectares of deforested land by 2025.
Through Green Legacy, the Ethiopian government hopes to plant 20 billion trees over four years making this the largest tree planting initiative in history. The 5 billion seedlings are being housed in 38,000 sites across the country. This tree planting project links environmental restoration with income generation create a sustainable, diverse economy for future generations. It focuses on the Loka Bedelcha Kebele in Southern Ethiopia, and the Amhara region in the North. Ethiopia will plant a variety of trees to ensure this project has a wide-ranging impact. These include multi-purpose tree species such as Eucalyptus. Eucalyptus is a long and ever green tree which belongs to the family of flowering plants known as Myrtaceae.
In Ethiopia, Eucalyptus is one of the most exotic tree species which was first introduced by Emperor Menelik II in 1895 in order to alleviate the shortage of firewood and construction wood in the capital city of Ethiopia. Eucalyptus, a type of gum tree, is used to create products like air fresheners, essential oils, shampoos, rubs and other hygiene products, and more. Additionally, eucalyptus trees are used to create paper and dental products. Not only does eucalyptus add to the flavor and scent of the products, but adds natural bacteria-fighting properties that help prevent gum disease and bad breath
Sites in Ethiopia.. He met with the research team leader, Shiferaw Tadesse, who is also the focal person of the Bako Trees for Food Security Project, first headed to the center located near Bako town, approximately 250 km west of Addis Ababa. Here, four tree species including Cordia Africana, Grevillea robusta, Croton macrostachys, and Acacia abyssinica had been planted. “The land on which this trial is established was infertile and had been left fallow for free grazing for 15 years.
When the project was first launched, there was very little grass on the overgrazed land. The soil was difficult to dig, and it took several days to plough the four hectares of land. A few years after the selected tree species were planted, fertility improved and it became easier to plough,” Shiferaw Tadesse recalled…where Cordia Africana and Croton macrostachys were planted. “The land has more soil moisture than before, and there are indications that water may spring up at some spots in the farm because of an increase in ground water level. Ethiopia is also spreading its tree wealth to other countries. 0n April 17, 2022 The second round of tree planting ceremony was held in Djibouti as part of expanding Ethiopia’s Green Legacy initiative to neighboring countries.
Berhanu Tsegaye, Ethiopian Ambassador in Djibouti as well as diplomats and staff of the Ethiopian Embassy in Djibouti have observed the status of previously planted trees and wanted to expand this initiative. Ethiopia has delivered 200,000 seedlings so far and upon the request of the Government of Djibouti 40,000 more seedlings will be provided. GO ETHIOPIA!
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