Natural Powers: “The Great Green Wall” of Trees to Be Built Across Africa

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“The Great Green Wall” of Trees to Be Built Across Africa

In an effort to combat the desertification and drought of several African countries, the Global Environment Facility is lending a much-needed helping hand. How, exactly? By planting a living wall of trees, 9 miles thick and an amazing 4,400 miles long across Africa. The wall will traverse 11 countries in the Sahel-Saharan region.

africa wall of trees

The Global Environment Facility, GEF, is a ground-breaking independent financial institution that addresses environmental issues to bring about lasting change. Their announcement to help the "Great Green Wall" project appropriately coincided with the United Nations' "World Day to Combat Desertification."

All in all, the GEF pledged $119 million to put the plan, originally adopted by the African Union three years ago, in motion. The amount that each country receives will depend solely on their size. Currently, the wall is slated to go up in Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti.

africa trees map

GEF has already donated $8.8 billion, and an additional $38.7 billion in co-financing to environmental projects in over 165 countries. Upon completion, the "Great Green Wall" will be a visual representation of the positive impact we can have on our own environment.

Photo Credit: Gorilla Forest Summit Lodge & Somar