Wangari Maathai’s legacy was front and center this week in Nairobi, Kenya. The UN Environment Assembly held a touching ceremony to mark twenty years since she won the Nobel Peace Prize. Gathering her family, Kenya’s environmental officials, and global leaders, the event celebrated her lasting impact.
The ceremony took place at a tree planted in her honor at the UN compound. This tree symbolizes the movement Maathai started in rural Kenya, pushing people to recognize their role in protecting the environment. Wanjira Maathai, her daughter, watered the tree, reminding everyone that change often starts with ordinary people. They saw their land, rivers, and forests suffering, and they chose to act.
Many attendees were inspired by the Green Belt Movement, which empowered women to restore Kenya’s landscapes, long before many governments acknowledged the need for climate action. Maathai identified a critical issue: Africa has abundant natural resources but often lacks the political will to safeguard them.
The challenges she faced—illegal logging, land grabbing, and political pressure—continue to affect many African countries. For instance, despite improvements since 2018, Kenya still loses vast forest areas yearly. Ghana is grappling with rapid forest loss due to mining and agricultural expansion. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s forest cover has halved over the last century. These problems cause real-world effects, fueling longer droughts in the Horn of Africa and impacting farmers from the Sahel to the Great Lakes.
By honoring Maathai, the UNEA-7 aimed to connect ambitious policy goals with grassroots activism. She believed environmental protection should be lived out, not just discussed in meetings. This perspective is crucial today as Africa faces climate challenges that require widespread community involvement, from local forest groups in Ethiopia to coastal initiatives in Mozambique.
As the event wrapped up, participants shared the story of a little hummingbird trying to douse a forest fire with tiny drops of water. This wasn’t just a story; it was a lesson for a continent confronting growing populations, fast urbanization, and climate crises.
Celebrating Maathai’s life reminded policymakers that Africa’s environmental advocates need nurturance, trust, and space to thrive. Her legacy underscores the importance of investing in passionate individuals who will lead the charge in protecting Africa’s future.
For more insights on environmental issues and activism in Africa, check out this UN Environment Programme report.
