Mali

The Great Green Wall ... of the Sahara?

The Green Wall for the Sahara Initiative will plant a wall of trees to stop the spread of the Sahara. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalegillard/2300775067/">Dale Gillard (flickr)</a>
The Green Wall for the Sahara Initiative will plant a wall of trees to stop the spread of the Sahara. Photo: Dale Gillard (flickr)

Ever heard of the Great Green Wall?

Concerns about the rapid southern spread of the Sahara desert have prompted African nations to build a wall – out of trees.

The Sahara has been moving south at a rate of almost a square kilometer a year, consuming villages and wiping out agricultural lands.

Slowing the desertification has become a huge priority — and a huge community effort.

International aid groups are helping build community gardens, institute new irrigation techniques, and teach sustainable farming. Projects are especially successful in the areas of the Sahara, like northern Burkina Faso, where new farming techniques are taking advantage of increased rainfall due to climate change.

The biggest project to date is the Green Wall for the Sahara Initiative. The $3-million, two-year initial phase will plant a belt of trees 7,000-kilometers long and 15 kilometers wide, and was formally approved at the Community of the Sahel-Saharan States in Benin last month.

The African Union says future phases will plant trees from Mauritania to Djibouti in two parallel belts, creating a strip of protected topsoil for high-yield farming. Nigeria has launched its own complimentary Desert-to-Food Program.

The AU hopes the Green Wall Initiative will arrest soil degradation, reduce poverty, conserve biodiversity, and increase land productivity in more than 25 countries. Others hope the project will create millions of jobs, promote ecotourism, alleviate the food crisis, and even introduce new fishing and livestock-breeding industries.

Who would have thought a wall of trees could have such a big impact?

From Gold Medals to Fair-Trade Cotton

Topics: Trade, Economic Development
Countries: Mali

Social entrepreneur Steven Redgrave gained renown by winning gold medals in rowing in five consecutive Olympics from 1984 to 2000. After retiring from competition, Redgrave was knighted in 2001, launched a line of men’s leisurewear and started a charitable trust focusing on educational and social needs in the UK.

In 2005 he visited Africa, and was moved to action by the poverty he observed. With the help of a major British retailer, Redgrave relaunched his clothing line, FiveG (short for "Five Gold"), as a 100-percent fair-trade enterprise.

In this video diary, produced by Fairtrade Foundation, we follow Redgrave as he visits a rural farming community in Mali that produces cotton for his products.

Thanks to fair trade, not only do these rural farmers receive a higher wage, but their community as a whole benefits as well. The video explains how the community receives what is called a "social premium" that is used for community development projects, including a new health center and a primary school.

For an in-depth look at fair-trade cotton, check out this analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies in our archives.


Breaking News

Inflation Adds to Pakistan's Troubles

Christian Science Monitor - Thu, 07/24/2008 - 23:00
Rising prices and a falling stock market have sparked protests in recent weeks, increasing the pressure on a government already facing militancy, political discord.

Arctic Holds 90 Billion Barrels of Oil

The Times of India - Thu, 07/24/2008 - 20:44
The top of the world, shared by half a dozen countries including the US, Russia, Canada, Sweden, Norway and Greenland, holds an estimated 90 billion barrels of crude, 1,670 trillion cubic feet of gas and 44 million barrels of natural gas liquids.

More Children On the Streets in Congo-Brazzaville

All Africa - Thu, 07/24/2008 - 07:32
Analysts attribute the growing phenomenon to deteriorating social conditions within the family, witchcraft and parental negligence. Armed conflicts in the country had also contributed, they add.

Africa: Link Between Crop Failure And Climate Change Often Missed

All Africa - Thu, 07/24/2008 - 07:27
Climate change has a profound effect on food security in Africa, as increasing temperatures and shifting rain patterns reduce access to food across the continent.

"Big divergences" Push WTO Talks Towards Crisis

Reuters - Thu, 07/24/2008 - 16:56
Rich and poor countries remained at loggerheads as to who must make the next move and officials said it would become clear on Thursday whether it was worth pursuing the talks.

Recent comments

An initiative of Mercy Corps
“You must be the change
you wish to see in the world”
Mahatma Gandhi
Learn more about Mercy Corps >

Efficiency

Over the last five years, more than 89% of Mercy Corps' resources have been allocated directly to programs

Excellence

Mercy Corps is a Charity Navigator 4-star charity.

Click to view our rating from America's premier charity evaluator.

High Value

Every dollar you donate to Mercy Corps helps us secure $20.89 in donated food and other critical supplies.

Mercy Corps — Dept. W — 3015 SW First Ave — Portland, OR 97201
All original content Copyright © 2008 Mercy Corps. Quoted and linked content is property of the creator(s). Mercy Corps will not sell, rent or trade your personal information.