In 2020, Ethiopia will plant 5 billion trees to counter the effects of climate change. Last year he had already planted 4 billion
Ethiopia is serious. Last year, the country launched an ambitious program in which it planted 4 billion trees to combat climate change. And in 2020 it aims to increase even more the presence of its "green lungs" by planting another 5 billion trees. It is the Green Legacy initiative, launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed last year, and aimed at planting 20 billion trees by the end of 2024.
Every year around the world, 18 million hectares of forest are lost, an area the size of Panama. The destruction of the tropical rainforest, which stores 210 gigatons of carbon, is the second largest global contributor to climate change. At the current rate, up to 28.000 species will become extinct over the next 25 years due to habitat loss. Hence the need to remedy, before it is really too late.
Over the past 50 years, Ethiopia has almost completely cleared its wooded areas by losing nearly 97% of its native forests due to a growing population and a growing need for land for food production. To combat environmental degradation, Ethiopia has committed to restoring 15 million hectares of cleared land by 2025.
So in 2019 the country rolled up its sleeves, understood the extent of the disaster and reversed the course by starting a long green journey with Green Legacy that will end in 4 years, when about 20 billion trees will be planted.
Just in these days, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced the official launch of the 2020 Green Legacy Initiative campaign which for the current year aims to plant 5 billion trees during the rainy season.
Abiy explained that, as in other parts of the world, Ethiopia has faced global warming and environmental degradation. Therefore, tackling climate change and paving the way for green growth has been one of Ethiopia's main development goals:
"Our green heritage is central to Ethiopia's aspirations to build a sustainable and climate-resilient economy," he explained.
Despite the spread of the coronavirus, Ethiopia plans to plant 5 billion trees starting from June, while still following the precautions to limit infections.
Green Legacy 2019: a success
In 2019, 4 billion trees were planted thanks to the initiative. Of these, 84 percent survived, thanks to a great deal of care and dedication that lasted all year round.
Ethiopia will plant 4 billion trees to fight deforestation
As the Prime Minister explained, over 20 million people have mobilized across the country. On a July day that will remain in history, Ethiopia also managed to plant around 354 million seedlings in 12 hours.
Ethiopia, millions and millions of trees planted in 12 hours to save the planet
“The green legacy initiative we launched last year has resulted in the planting of over 4 billion seedlings nationwide. More than 20 million people have been mobilized across the country, ”Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said. “Of all the trees planted in last year's Green Legacy challenge, 84% survived. Through the implementation of follow-up measures, we have been able to maximize the survival rate which is nature's encouragement to continue. "
Although the country's current forest cover is 15,5%, the national plan plans to recreate one million hectares of forest to reach 30% by 2030. In this way, greenhouse gas emissions in Ethiopia , equal to about 400 million tons, could be reduced to 250 million tons if planting continues at the current rate.
The Great Green Wall is really starting to take shape:
New life for the Great Green Wall, the wall of 8 thousand km of trees to save Africa
Not only Ethiopia
The success of the Ethiopian initiative has inspired other countries, such as Pakistan, India and China.
The state that planted 50 million trees in a single day (PHOTO)
Pakistan has added 3 hectares of trees to the country's landscape in just 350.000 years, while India and China - among the main culprits of deforestation in Asia - are leading the way for massive clean-up efforts.
Pakistan is hiring unemployed to plant 10 billion trees
In countries like Ethiopia, planting trees is essential to protect against extreme weather events, to prevent soil erosion and flooding. In addition, they provide natural water filtration systems. This “green infrastructure” could play a vital role in adapting to climate change.
Sources of reference: Ena, World Economic Forum,,
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