Wangari Maathai Essay

So why does all of these accomplishments matter? What makes Wangari Maathai such an important figure in the world of sustainability? Maathai represents a leader in environmental activism and sustainability in agriculture that can be used as a vehicle for community engagement. This is exactly what happened when she initiated the Greenbelt movement. Because agriculture and sustainability can be a tool to engage the local community and to participate in how their environment works can also aid in fostering a community in pride. An example of how community engagement worked can be seen through this quote from Maathai’s book Unbowed. “After the women had planted seedlings on their farms, I suggested that they go to surrounding areas and convince

others to plant trees. This was a breakthrough, because it was now communities empowering one another for their own needs and benefit.” Moreover, Wangari is a thought leader; she leads in thinking and makes her thoughts and ideas become a plan with a purpose. She makes her imaginations become realities.

Maathai spoke up and fought for what was important in times of need, she used her voice and let it be heard. In class we touched upon the idea of human health and touch; being emotionally touched and moved. Wangari did exactly this in Kenya with the Greenbelt Movement; she embodied knowledge that can help people take action. With her strong emotional connection with nature from such a young age she was able to carry that love with her throughout life and use it to create this movement to save her country’s depleting ecosystem. Without heart it is hard to have the motivation that Wangari Maathai had throughout her journey of being an environmental activist. If you don’t love something and hold great pride in what you do, creating a successful outcome will not be very easy. Love is the driving force behind making a change because no matter the setbacks or adversities faced you know the reason behind your motivation is because you have a specific connection with the issue you are trying to resolve. Another main concept learned in class that relates to Wangari’s actions is awareness. Being aware of how we can have an affect on nature is very beneficial to maintain a sustainable

environment. However, not all the time are these affects positive, which is why being aware of your actions is very important. And most the times it is the poor who take the brunt of the risk because they are they one’s living in the part of nature that is becoming destroyed little by little due to people’s everyday daily activities. In class we learned that something as small as changing your mode of transportation could improve the quality of the air in the environment.
Maathai remains a potent example of how one person can be a force for change. However she cannot alone save the environment. People who are inspired by her efforts and progress made in maintaining and restoring a sustainable environment need to take action. No matter your age, where you live, your gender, you too can make a difference. All it takes is an idea and the desire from within to make this idea come to life and create a change. Not only will maintaining a sustainable environment to live in produce many benefits to that existing community, but it also will have positive impacts on our own well being. Everything is connected and when everything is in balance, true harmony is met. Maathai was a leader and everyone else can do the same. Become a leader in your own community and make a change. Nature needs us just as much as we need nature. The journey of Maathai in protecting the environment, standing up for women’s rights, and promoting democracy perceives that nothing is impossible, especially because all of this began from a simple act of planting trees. What will be your imprint?