Part -I
The Green Legacy Initiative (GLI), launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, aims to combat deforestation and climate change by planting billions of trees across Ethiopia. Beyond its environmental goals, the initiative also serves as a powerful tool to promote national unity.
The GLI has mobilized millions of Ethiopians from various regions, ethnicities, and backgrounds to participate in tree-planting activities. This collective action fosters a sense of shared responsibility and national pride.
The act of planting trees together symbolizes a collective effort to build a sustainable future, transcending ethnic and political divides. It serves as a unifying activity that brings people together for a common cause.
As the author has previously mentioned that the initiative is instrumental in creating employment opportunities in nursery management, tree planting, and forest management, benefiting communities across the country and reducing economic disparities. It serves as a means of battling poverty in households and communities.
Improved environmental conditions lead to better agricultural productivity, water conservation, and overall quality of life, which can alleviate tensions and promote social cohesion.
The GLI promotes environmental education and awareness, encouraging citizens to appreciate and protect their natural resources. This shared understanding of the importance of environmental stewardship can strengthen national unity and solidarity.
Involving young people in the initiative fosters a sense of responsibility and unity among the next generation, ensuring long-term commitment to both environmental conservation and national cohesion.
The initiative respects and integrates traditional ecological knowledge from various ethnic groups, promoting cultural appreciation and unity. Tree-planting events often coincide with cultural celebrations and festivals, enhancing the sense of community and national identity .The Ethiopian government’s inclusive approach to the GLI, involving local communities, NGOs, and international partners, ensures broad-based support and participation.
The decentralized implementation of the GLI allows regional administrations to tailor the initiative to their specific needs, fostering a sense of ownership and cooperation across different regions.
Planting trees offers a wide array of social and psychological benefits that contribute to individual well-being and community cohesion. Here are some key advantages: Engaging in tree planting can significantly reduce stress levels. The act of gardening and being in nature helps lower cortisol levels, which are associated with stress.
Being around greenery and participating in outdoor activities can boost mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Natural settings provide a calming effect that can improve overall mental well-being.
Planting trees provides a tangible sense of accomplishment. Watching a tree grow and thrive due to one’s efforts can enhance self-esteem and give a sense of purpose. Knowing that planted trees will benefit future generations can give individuals a sense of legacy and long-term impact, fostering a sense of fulfillment.
Tree planting often involves group activities that encourage social interaction. These shared experiences can strengthen community bonds and foster a sense of belonging. Participating in tree-planting initiatives can bring together people from diverse backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and mutual understanding.
The physical activity involved in planting and caring for trees provides a healthy form of exercise, which can improve overall physical health and fitness. Spending time outdoors while planting trees increases exposure to sunlight, which boosts vitamin D levels and improves physical health. Tree planting can serve as a practical educational tool, raising awareness about environmental issues and the importance of sustainability. Participants can learn valuable skills related to horticulture, teamwork, and project management.
Trees improve the aesthetic value of neighborhoods, making them more pleasant places to live. This can enhance residents’ satisfaction and pride in their community. Trees improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and producing oxygen, contributing to better respiratory health for the community.
Trees often hold cultural significance and can be a source of identity and heritage for communities. Planting trees can help maintain these cultural connections. Caring for a living tree can create a strong emotional bond between individuals and their environment, fostering a greater appreciation for nature.
Tree planting is a simple yet powerful activity that yields significant social and psychological benefits. It enhances mental health, fosters community cohesion, provides physical exercise, and contributes to a better quality of life. By engaging in tree-planting activities, individuals and communities can create a positive impact on both their immediate environment and their well-being.
The people of Ethiopia are still using traditional self-help activities which are based on pulling human resources together to accomplish individual and community activities which may include agricultural activities like weeding. Harvesting, building houses and other types of activities. In this sense planting trees in the context of National Green Legacy Initiative through collective and united effort of the people of Ethiopia is not an entirely new phenomenon.
When Ethiopians of all walks of life come together every year to plant billions of trees and will also use the occasion as developing and rallying behind common narratives that would strengthen their unity towards their socio-economic development.
BY SOLOMON DIBABA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 3 JULY 2024
