The Great Green Wall of Africa is a large program that started in 2007. The African Union leads this program. The goal is to stop the Sahara Desert from spreading south. This may be conducted using reforestation efforts, but this is only part of the challenge. Should food forests be introduced? Should Rural Development Centers be established? Will Local People’s Organizations be more efficient building the program?
The program also aims to help people and nature in the Sahel region. The Sahel is a wide area that sits just below the Sahara Desert. Many people in the Sahel face problems like drought, poor soil, and not enough food.
The Main Goals of the Great Green Wall
The program has clear and definitive goals. Reforestation efforts are focused on the restoration of 100 million hectares of land that has become dry and useless.
The program also wants to capture 250 million tons of carbon from the air. Another goal is to create 10 million new jobs for people living in the Sahel. The program hopes to finish these goals by the year 2030.
How the Great Green Wall Works
The Great Green Wall is not just a line of trees. The program uses many ways to bring life back to the land. People plant trees and bushes that can live in dry places.
They use local plants that grow well in the Sahel. Farmers learn new ways to care for the soil and save water. The program also teaches people how to use the land without hurting it. These actions help the land become green and useful again.
Where the Great Green Wall Is Located
The Great Green Wall stretches across Africa. It starts in Senegal in the west and ends in Djibouti in the east. The wall is about 8,000 kilometers long. It passes through more than 20 countries. These countries work together to make the program a success. The program covers a wide area, about 15 kilometers wide in many places.
Why the Great Green Wall Is Important
The Sahara Desert is growing. This makes life hard for people in the Sahel. Many people lose their farms and homes.
The Great Green Wall helps stop the desert from spreading. It brings back plants, animals, and water to the land. The program also helps people find jobs and grow food. This makes communities stronger and safer. The program also helps fight climate change by capturing carbon from the air.
Progress and Achievements
The Great Green Wall has made progress, but the work is not finished.
By 2023, the program had restored about 18 to 20 million hectares of land. Countries like Senegal, Ethiopia, and Nigeria have planted millions of trees.
In Ethiopia, people have planted over five billion seedlings. The program has created jobs and improved food security in some areas. However, the program still needs to reach its full goals by 2030.
Challenges Facing the Great Green Wall
The program faces many challenges. Some areas do not have enough money to keep planting trees. Political problems and conflicts slow down the work. Some trees do not survive because of poor soil or little rain.
Sometimes, local people are not included in planning, which can cause problems. The program needs more support and better planning to succeed everywhere.
The Role of Communities and Partners
Local communities play a big role in the Great Green Wall. People living in the Sahel help plant trees and care for the land. The program also works with many partners.
These include African governments, the United Nations, and groups from other countries. Many organizations give money and support to help the program grow.
Benefits for People and Nature
The Great Green Wall brings many benefits. It helps people find jobs and earn money. It improves food security by making the land better for farming. The program also helps protect animals and plants. It brings back water to dry areas. The program helps people stay in their homes instead of moving away because of drought or hunger.
The Future of the Great Green Wall
The Great Green Wall is a long-term program. It needs more time, money, and support to reach its goals. Many people believe the program can become the largest living structure on Earth.
The program gives hope to millions of people in Africa. It shows that people can work together to solve big problems like desertification and climate change.
The Great Green Wall of Africa is a big and important program. It aims to stop the Sahara Desert from spreading, restore land, and help people in the Sahel. The program uses many methods, including planting trees, teaching new farming skills, and working with local communities.
The Great Green Wall program has made progress but still faces many challenges. With the proper support and program support from agencies such as OPISAC Africa, the Great Green Wall can help create a better future for people and nature in Africa.