Blog RSS Feed

GBM Blog

Happy Birthday to Prof. Wangari Maathai!

April 1, 2011 - 04:20AM
Published by Kathryn Gelder

In true Green Belt Movement spirit, Prof. Wangari Maathai planted a tree in Kenya this morning to celebrate her birthday. She was joined by GBM friends, staff and Board members to mark this joyous occasion.

Climate week is here!

March 23, 2011 - 09:50AM
Published by Francesca de Gasparis

Climate Week 2011 is one of many of the positive steps that are being taken to combat climate change across Britain. Businesses, charities, schools, councils and others are running events during this week 21-27 of March 2011.

A Green Belt Movement Dream Come True

March 14, 2011 - 08:30AM
Published by Wanjira Mathai

It is no exaggeration to say that Karura Forest is one of the most beautiful places in Kenya.

‘A Tree Stands Alone and Wangari's Dream’

March 4, 2011 - 09:45AM
Published by Francesca de Gasparis

Yes, that's right! A year four class, at the Hitherfield Primary School and Children's Centre in London, has written the poem ‘A Tree Stands Alone and Wangari’s Dream’. They were inspired by Wangari’s life, in particular her admiration for an old wild fig tree growing in her home village Ihithe. This was a very special tree to Wangari and she often spent time there when she was little, both to play and to fetch water in a nearby stream. Her love for this tree inspired the class to invent this “Kenyan” proverb: “May the fig tree's leaves drop blessings on all who care”.

"A forest is a group of trees. Yours, mine and ours."

February 25, 2011 - 03:35AM
Published by Kathryn Gelder

On this beautiful Friday afternoon, enjoy this story from one of our GBM Kenya staff members about him and his wife’s love for each other and for the environment!

Where is the LOVE? Kenya Roses on Valentine's day

February 13, 2011 - 08:15AM
Published by Francesca de Gasparis

Red roses have become the quintessential symbol of love. This Valentine's Day, boyfriends, husbands and lovers alike will flock to their local flower store to buy a dozen red roses - an embodiment of their love, passion and commitment.

The Vision of Wangari Maathai featured during MLK Jr. Holiday in US

January 19, 2011 - 03:35AM
Published by Kathryn Gelder

Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai is being shown in 63 locations around the US during MLK Jr. Day of Service and the following week. These screenings are sponsored by a partnership of Community CinemaThe Campus Kitchens ProjectNorth Carolina Campus Compact and HandsOn Network. The screening of the film is followed by a facilitated interactive discussion reflecting on the film, its application to the local community and its resonance with an engagement component that asks participants to reflect on how the film fits with the themes of MLK Day of Service

Final Remarks on Cancun: Women and Climate Change

December 17, 2010 - 09:15AM
Published by Peninah Muriithi

In the recently convened COP 16 in Cancun, the challenges women face, given they are on the front-lines of the climate crisis, was a major highlight as well as how gender factors in handling the challenges brought about by climate change. When natural disasters strike, they hit poor communities first and worst. Since women make up an estimated 70% of those living below the poverty line, they are most likely to bear the heaviest burdens. They, who regularly do the household work, cultivate the crops, collect the water and gather the fuel, are the most affected by climate change. But it should also be understood that women are vital to building resilience in poor communities.

Women and REDD+ in Cancun

December 16, 2010 - 04:55AM
Published by Francesca de Gasparis

The climate change talks are over for another year. Despite low expectations following the failure in Copenhagen, there was a progress in Cancun.

"Stop talking, start planting!"

December 15, 2010 - 05:05AM
Published by Kathryn Gelder

This week, Democracy Now highlighted a young German student, Felix Finkbeiner, founder of the youth-led organization Plant for the Planet. When he was just 9 years old, Felix was giving a presentation to his 4th grade class about climate change. Inspired by his research on Wangari Maathai, he had the idea to lead a movement to plant 1 million trees in every country around the world.

Pages