Meet the “Heroes of the Earth” who are fighting desertification

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification chose ten Heroes for Earth From different parts of the world, all under the age of 35, to share their achievements and ideas for sustainable land management in the face of the growing global threat of desertification and land loss.

With the continuation of the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP-16) In the Saudi capital, Riyadh, we learn about the 2024 Champions of the Earth and how they can inspire change, unite their peers, provide guidance, and demonstrate the transformative power of collective action.

Roquiato Traoré, Mali

Rocchiato Traoré describes herself as a “green entrepreneur” working in Mali to build a social enterprise based on moringa tree products. About 100 women have been trained to produce products from 20,000 trees.

These products include organic teas, powders, oils, soaps, spices and baby food which have been exported to more than seven countries. In 2023, it produced 150,000 drought-resistant moringa seedlings from the seeds of 5,000 women and young farmers.

Traoré said: “A seed is life in a dormant state. Give it water, soil and protection and it can cure desertification, women’s poverty and malnutrition forever.”

Her future plans are ambitious. By 2030, it wants to create a network of millions of women moringa producers, plant 10 million moringa trees, and export moringa-based products to national, regional and international markets. She confirms: “Nothing is impossible to achieve with a firm will.”

Takudzwa Ashley Mlambo, Zimbabwe

Tree planting is high on Takodzwa Ashley Mlambo’s agenda because it is essential for land regeneration efforts and reversing desertification.

His youth-led organization Forestry and Citrus Research (FACIR), aims to plant and monitor a total of one billion trees across Zimbabwe. As a revolutionary innovator, he uses artificial intelligence and satellite monitoring to oversee the initiative.

He recognizes that reforestation is an important step that must be taken to slow climate change and keep global temperatures to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. And he says: “The greener we become, the colder it gets.”

Billy Crystal J. Dumaliang, Philippines

The Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to natural hazards, such as the recent wave of typhoons that hit the country. These risks have become more acute due to climate change. Deforestation of land and water bodies around the Philippine capital, Manila, has put the city at greater risk from extreme weather events.

Billy Crystal J. Dumaliang and the Masungi Georeserve Foundation she leads have committed to an ambitious reforestation initiative aimed at restoring nearly 2,700 hectares of degraded watershed areas surrounding the georeserve. This project is essential to strengthen Metro Manila’s natural defenses against the effects of climate change.

She said: “Filipinos are suffering from the severe impacts of drought and land degradation on agriculture, well-being and daily life, so we need to conserve biodiversity and mitigate the effects of drought and climate change. My organization does this through land protection, reforestation, and telling impactful stories supported by sustainable geo-tourism.”

Siddhesh Sakur, India

Growing up in what he describes as a “marginalized farming family,” Siddhesh Sakori has witnessed first-hand the economic hardship endured by farmers and their families.

One of the main issues that his organization Agro Rangers has focused on is soil degradation, which directly affects land productivity and thus farmers’ livelihoods.

Soil degradation can result from improper use or mismanagement as well as erosion, flooding, desertification and chemical contamination. His dream is to create livelihoods for farmers, especially in drought-prone areas of Pune where he works by transitioning from chemical farming to organic agroforestry practices.

And he said: “At AgroRangers, we believe that combating desertification and land drought starts with sustainable, community-led agricultural practices and innovative approaches to agroforestry. By empowering farmers with the knowledge and tools to integrate trees and crops into their farming systems, we restore and protect soil, nurturing the land for a resilient and sustainable future.” “.

Astrid Peraza, Costa Rica

Astrid Peraza said: “Going it alone is not an option to create meaningful change.” A young climate educator in Costa Rica developed Save the Penguins, a collaborative board game designed to teach players about climate change and its solutions.

She also actively participated in the “Vivero Verde Mar” mangrove reforestation project in the Central American country, which supports environmental conservation and helps curb desertification in coastal areas. She said: “Combined efforts are extremely important to overcome the hardships of land desertification for local communities, because when we talk about climate change, going it alone is not an option.”

At the link, more information about Heroes of the Earth.