(IPS) – If it is completed as planned in 2030, it could well be considered the eighth wonder of the world – this time a natural one. It is Africa’s “Green Wall,” the longest living structure. The plan is to create an 8,000-kilometre-long strip of forest stretching across the entire width of the continent.
The project is a symbol of hope in the face of one of the greatest challenges of our time: desertification. It aims to restore Africa’s damaged landscapes and transform the lives of millions of people in the Sahel, one of the poorest regions.
It was launched in 2007 by the African Union (AU). More than 20 countries from Africa are participating in the realisation of this project. It brings together states from the continent and international partners under the leadership of an AU technical commission and the Pan-African Great Green Wall Agency.
The project aims to restore 100 million hectares of previously degraded land by 2030. When realised, this will sequester 250 million tonnes of CO2 and create more than 10 million “green jobs.”
This will support communities living along the wall in the following five areas: Increasing fertile land, one of the most valuable natural resources, creating economic opportunities for the world’s youngest population. Increasing food security for millions who go hungry. Increasing climate resilience in a region where temperatures are growing fastest. Building a world wonder 8,000 kilometres long.
