How Africa’s Great Green Wall Will Make the Sahel Green Again

Africa is building a Great Green Wall across the Sahel to hold back the advancing Sahara Desert. Will it succeed?
Just 8,000 years ago, the Sahara was a lush green landscape of lakes, rivers and wetlands. So, how did it turn into the inhospitable environment we know today - and how can we stop it from growing any further? Desertification is a major issue that affects drylands across the planet, including large parts of Africa, where it threatens food security and the livelihoods of millions of people. But local communities are taking control of their own fate by spearheading a massive landscape restoration project that aims to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land in the Sahel by 2030: the Great Green Wall Initiative.
Read more: news.globallandscapesforum.or...
0:00 Intro
0:42 How the Sahara became a desert
2:02 Desertification in the Sahel
4:16 Building the Great Green Wall
5:29 What does the Great Green Wall look like?
7:11 How much of the Great Green Wall has been built?
8:47 Outro
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References:
phys.org/news/2019-01-sahara-...
www.popsci.com/sahara-desert-...
www2.atmos.umd.edu/~nigam/JCL...
www.gfdl.noaa.gov/sahel-drought/
www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/6...
www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/0...
www.unrefugees.org/news/sahel...
www.bbc.com/news/world-africa...
www.foreignaffairs.com/articl...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4...
www.ifpri.org/publication/re-...
policy-practice.oxfam.org/res...
www.irishtimes.com/news/world...
www.dw.com/en/what-happened-t...
Image credits:
www.flickr.com/photos/cifor/a...
www.flickr.com/photos/cifor/a...
www.flickr.com/photos/cifor/a...
www.flickr.com/photos/cifor/a...
www.flickr.com/photos/cifor/a...
#thinklandscape #desertification #restoration #sahel #sahara #africa

[@GlobalLandscapesForum]

What do you think world leaders can do to make the Great Green Wall a reality?

[@NagaInzaDAGNOGO2003]

More commitment !!!

[@victoriaahiabor223]

@@NagaInzaDAGNOGO2003 to be there by to get you to do that and get to work ok and get to work ok love I'm to old

[@robheusd]

Oh, the US bombed Libya, see how a thriving democracy Libya now is..... uhhhh.... Let us just drop the US out of the list of "world leaders" - they are just interested in their own empire built on lies and endless wars and totally disinterested in the fate of huamnity, they are not world leaders but land destroyers. We better look at China, the upcoming world leader and largest economy, it has invested massively in turning its own desserts into fertile land and plan to install their hundreds of gigawats of solar and wind power. That is what leaders do. They have the technology and funds to help Africa develop and also green the desserts...

[@garynile2901]

They do nothing!!!!

[@garynile2901]

They do nothing!!!!

[@quinto190]

Only 79 likes?? This video is so well made and the issue so important, that it deserves much more! This project is just as important as colonizing Mars, but with much quicker results possible...

[@procraft11]

actually it has 331 likes

[@quinto190]

@@procraft11 that's better, but most videos have about 10% likes compared to their views

[@girishn1762]

This is amazing work from African nations,save earth save African people lives , love and respect from INDIA 💕💕💕

[@adejokeadeyemi2708]

I just saw this video and I am shocked at the damage we as humans have done, unintentionally though. This is the time to raise up to the challenge to fix it for ourselves and our future generation. This video is very enlightening. Thank you.

[@robheusd]

Sahara is in itself a natural phenomena, but the increase of the desert has much to do with bad farming practices, chopping too many trees, and other devastating human behaviour. But it can be fixed. It's hard work but can be done. Mechanisation of the restoring of soils and using proven techniques can help develoing faster, but it would need more investments.

[@richard2132]

This is the right step in the right direction. We need to continue being brave in taking such difficult actions.

[@steveu235]

What is brave or difficult about doing what should be done

[@eastafricaclimatechange2106]

Ambitious plan that can help mother earth heal. Humbled by the good work done.

[@tanakakokilovad1594]

It's time to turn the sahara desert green again 🌱🍃🌿🌳🌲. Greening the desert🌱. Save many many life on earth 🌱🌍🌱🌏🌱🌎🌱🌱🌱🌱🍃🌿🌳🌲🌺🌼🌸🌱🌿🍃🌲🌳🕊🌱🍃🌿🌳🌳🌲🌲🌱🌏🌱🌍🌱🌎🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌿🍃🌳

[@donaldakule9412]

key into cultural and indigenous sustainable farming models

[@geraldhyde9205]

The politicians could stop putting the money in their own pockets, Then they could give it to the people that it is intended for, That would speed up the work being done.

[@paragchamuah670]

I wish to visit the Sahel region and help them whatever way I can. Great job guys

[@fotograftobias]

I honestly believe that during my lifetime. I will be able to see a fully green Sahara!

[@robheusd]

Nah, I don't know how old you are but turning the sahara green again will take several decades or even a century at least.

[@phillipcrowther9499]

Excellent documentary and well presented. One small thing that everyone can do without too much effort is to use Ecosia as a search engine and plant trees without leaving your terminal

[@kitiowa]

One major project should be water transfer from the Congo river to the Chari/Lake Chad basin. Maintaining Lake Chad would be invaluable in enhancing local fresh water. That stable water supply could aid in maintaining forests or grassland nearby and enhancing the monsoon.

[@nsn5564]

Excellent video! I hope you grow as you deserve!

[@evalerchesecher4623]

This is the way to go, make ppl happy where they live and then they will stay, instead of moving away trying to make their living elsewhere.

[@theadventuresofbrockinthai4325]

My question is, where are they going to get all the water it's going to take to keep it green? If you think you can pull that much water out of the ground you are mistaken. You can do it now but 10 years from now those wells will be dry. You can't keep pulling water out of the ground without refilling it. My suggestion is you build water purification plants at both ends of this belt and take the salt out of the ocean. Most countries around the Mediterranean do it now and it's not as expensive as it used to be. Some small countries it's all the water they have.

[@katrinagoldsmith3050]

Desertified land cannot absorb rainwater, rain just washes off and is lost. By employing the techniques in the video the land can start absorbing rainwater again and begin a positive feedback loop of regeneration.

[@igfmoenv]

This should not be ignored. UN projects tend to present a rosy project scenario that has to be evaluated as very good and with short lived public memory *forgotten. Had there ever been a *failed project!

[@igfmoenv]

@@katrinagoldsmith3050 where does the locale fall in the Holdridge Life Zone classification. Can humans change a natural Life Zone?

[@ScrubLordKyle]

Usually these restoration projects rely on drought-hardy native plants that won’t need as much watering, and ground altering techniques (such as digging large pits) to stop rainwater run off. Because these grounds are so dry, they don’t hold water easily. Indeed, it’s a very costly project and every minute aspect must be carefully analysed to maximise efficiency. Perhaps there’s more details on this project’s home page?

[@nsn5564]

We have to stop the desertification of the entire planet. It is critical.

[@ismaciilcabdillahiyuusuf2650]

World with peace,, watching from berbera somaliland rep

[@landgabriel]

If they can pull this off from rainwater alone it will be a blessing and a miracle. I wish I could go there right now and volunteer as an English teacher and laborer to do my part. God bless the UN.

[@ScrubLordKyle]

Beware voluntourism though! Locals need to have access to their own resources rather than consistently relying on help from others (Not accusing you of voluntourism, just thought it was worth mentioning)

[@avatar3879]

Wish these reclamations effort succeed.

[@igfmoenv]

What about ➕ and ➖ of nomadic pastoralism in the Sahel. Very little mention in this video that too a passing reference. What the narrator mentioned about nomadism and settlemrnts appear to hold the later as the major cause of African desertification.

[@simpleuser0001]

It's not that easy. In many cases (such as in China's growing Gobi Desert) the efforts of growing vegetation near deserts does more harm than good. Planting native plants may help, but take into consideration of the soil itself and whether or not it can hold the groundwater. There is so much more to take into account when starting such a costly initiative.

[@mooktarkader3285]

Plant trees that will benefit the communities that live in the area.

[@jamesbutler5570]

Didnt work in Gobi. Why should it work in Sahara?

[@jamesmwangi7293]

Among the challenges facing African food security is mono-cropping of maize. Studies have already shown mono-crops to be extremely susceptible to climate change. Therefore, perennial legume fodder cover crops offers the solution in controlling soil degradation, offering several ecosystem benefits and providing fodder for livestock. These sustainable agricultural intensification practices instead of intensive mechanization that is attributed to soil degradation are the main solution. The reliance on maize monoculture which is widespread must be changed to sustainable production practices that has some permanent undergrowth throughout the year.

[@johndsmith-gv8zh]

that is amazing, and I hope that it is kept up in all of the desert 🏜 areas.

[@AethelwulfBretwalda]

"The people of the sahel are pushing from the south as well from farmers" Later in the video: "planting crops like millet and other edible foods can help contribute in more than one way"

[@HAYAOLEONE]

Can wait for a world with a billion people in the Sahel alone.

[@kevincinnamontoast3669]

Is it working.

[@brianp6682]

seems like it would be easier to put a sunshade in space over the sahara so it doesnt warm up so much which would bring back the monsoons

[@bopdawg1082]

Bamboo would give a greater chance of success. It is a grass and would enable soil restoration while also providing a crop to self financing in that it could be a food, building material and a source for clothing. Bamboo produce 10% more oxygen which could enhance the rainfall. With 123 species breaking down the areas to assist the population would become more manageable.

[@simonkenwothy5933]

Remember my idea. Instead of sewerage going to the sea bio digest it. The end product will be of use in this project.

[@brendatenorio5721]

You haven't mentioned population growth as a big contributing factor. Sounds from your piece that cattle are responsible for drought n Sahelian desertification. Accuracy is so important when promoting a concept.

[@brendatenorio5721]

Plow treble the funds in countries, regional areas, that present proven results and let it stand as motivation for its neighbors. Then get ready to engage. Nothing sells like success.

[@otladisamaredi6475]

I think it's a matter that should be publicized by world's nations promote the donations of trees.

[@justinjonson4372]

The statement that 18 million hectares of the Great Green Wall have been restored simply cannot be correct. That said, wishing the people of the Sahel a safe and productive future.

[@BarryRands]

The GGW program contributed less than a fourth of that number. As the narrator states, "when you factor in restoration work of... local farmers" the number increases to 18 million.

[@D130401]

The cycle of 20,000 years can not be blamed on humans. There could not have been that many people 20,000 years ago to affect this change.

[@ScrubLordKyle]

I don’t believe he’s blaming the *cycle* on humans, just the rapidness of the most recent one. It would’ve happened anyways, but humans have contributed to it happening faster

[@sheetalbhalerao8192]

Also plant & grow from sea coast with the help of sea water 🌊. such as coconut jackfruit jamun Imali shamali.Gambhir pilkhan maulashri Indian coral 🌳 ardu babool ashoka dates banyan peeple umber neem

[@sheetalbhalerao8192]

Ardu, Rohida khejari are very useful trees 🌳

[@rafaeljuniorsierra-9708]

HOW ABOUT PLANTING MORE TREES IN THE SAHEL. JUST SAYING THIS SHOULD HELP PLUS SEEDING THE CLOUDS LIKE WE DO OVER DESERTS IN THE U.S.A. (OREGON and NEVADA). TOGETHER THESE TWO TECHNOLOGIES COULD HELP THE EFFORT.

[@brendatenorio5721]

Complete project in Senegal, pay folks funds owed, report progress regularly good and bad, demonstrate success then move to the next country, whichever shows inclination n some progress. Clearly funds, experts, local experts are needed to plant shade trees, fruit and trees that provide fodder for animals, grasses are key as are shrubs, gardens for human consumption and sale.

[@glad2bajit]

They need to do it on their own, if they wait for others to help , then it wont happen ever

[@guillermobeltran7811]

Besides planting threes also is necessary to use condos and force vasectomy

[@fluffyparrots2018]

We should save the earth

[@fotograftobias]

I am Swedish. I live in Sweden. From my perspective. Sweden and other developed countries does give a lot of money in monetary aid every year to these nations. I believe that if this money is invested in the green wall instead, it will be a better, long term investment because the money will help people to help themselves.

[@robheusd]

If we really want to green the desert and at least built the great green wall, the work has to be done mechanically in order to achieve something at this massive scale in a small amount of time. But Africa is too poor to do that by themselves, why don''t we divert some of the climate money to africa to achieve some part of the common (global) climate goals. China and other countries already developed good techniques for transforming deserts into fertile land. Africa could outsource part of the work to be done to more developed nations in return for part of the newly created fertile soils (which is the opposite of landgrabbing, as that robs africa from its existing most fertile lands to foreign companies).

[@thegiggler2]

Lots of poor people = cheap labor. Think about it.

[@terenzo50]

We could use something similar in the American Southwest.

[@sunaryoprawirosusanto2192]

Make channels from river nils to sahara desert...

[@ned8549]

What livestock are you talking about 20,000 years ago? That didn't start to happen until 10k years ago - in Southeast Asia.

[@TheFinalHours247]

Wouldn’t doing this start a new ice age. If that many trees are planted successfully wouldn’t it have some sort of impact on the world

[@ScrubLordKyle]

It’s likely to have significant local impacts, but probably not global in the scale that you’re thinking. Ice ages require much stronger snowball effects in order to occur, and with our current rate of global warming it’s unlikely that extreme large-scale cooling will occur. But the impacts it *will* have on climate are absolutely something to take into consideration

[@lyndonguillermo3951]

I suggest countries should stop manufacturing plastics.

[@thegiggler2]

It's estimated that up to 90% of the trees planted under this project have already died. That's because there isn't a sense of ownership by the locals.

[@ScrubLordKyle]

Large restoration projects like this definitely need careful long-term maintenance. Educating the people who live by project sites is key

[@pure1239]

I believe that Deserts are man made . Just as some seas and lakes . These is always some stories hidden beneath .

[@ScrubLordKyle]

Deserts are normal biomes that have great deals of importance. Sand blowing off of the sahara in large scales brings fresh minerals to the neighbouring ocean and allows sea life to thrive

[@davidsmith5584]

Shouldn't we start planting trees where it used to be too cold?

[@brendatenorio5721]

What about great work in Senegal

[@holgerjahndel3623]

Also see James DeMeo from the USA about Orgon-Energy work and as anthropologist and the psychologist Wilhelm Reich and the international Nexus-Magazine.

[@marschlosser4540]

That's funny because South Sudan is savannah and has been grazed for thousands of years. And, it's still a grassland. Look for a better excuse than evil humans :)

[@gman7329]

Increased rainfall would greatly help the trees shrubs & grasses stay alive long enough to seed & spread by themselves & with the wildlife coming back that also helps spread manure & seed & it becomes an upward cycle!

[@tonywalker8030]

Too bad we can't just make our own clouds.

[@mistersir3020]

No I'm pretty sure it had something to do with fossil fuels though

[@willhart4762]

The re-forestation projects all over the planet are the best way to solve multiple problems and the climate change issue simultaneously!

[@donharrington8950]

Siberia is sinking literally and the games released are going to cook eroupe with heatwave next year best way to reduce the effect is by greening north and mid central africa

[@OmarGrajeola-ve4de]

Begin now quickly possibly change positive actions help digital others countries begin sow cotton don't use put estanques more canales rivers to scratch lands in 🌊 water trains little all comunites helps cows put establos reguarda in don't eat vegetations plant my advice bless God. To do quickly.

[@user-rq1ob4ij9v]

The problem also lies in overpopulation They must have some contraception

[@Symbrio]

send greta tunafish and all of friday for future brats to accelerate the build. they walk the walk rather than scream at car drivers.

[@maosung5219]

۱۴۰۲~۶~۲۰🌸🥰💛😘💛🌼💛🌼

[@stephenkerley3395]

Keep the leaders fingers out of the pot …..then it might go forward.

[@garnettajohnson4560]

CAN YOU TRY TO GET MOROCCO INVOLVED?

[@ophiuchus992]

One of the largest waste of money ever, trees need water, so it's like buying gas before you even buy a car.

[@ScrubLordKyle]

That’s why soil retention schemes are also playing a part. So that the soils will naturally hold more water after monsoon events

[@aroganli8625]

How much corruption running around this project we even cant imagine🤣

[@user-ud1te2ys4n]

アフリカ政府よ、この地にトラクターとショベルカーと散水車を導入して植林活動に取り掛かって下さい‼️

[@rogerc7960]

Goats did it

[@flamingstag2381]

everyone wins with birth control & limits on goats !

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

ahahaha we farm and ranch in the saheil

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

Goats helped make the Sahara.

[@jollyjokress3852]

The problem is: Once it becomes green , more agriculture will arise and then more people wiul be born and the problem of scarcity starts anew,

[@quinto190]

With the right agricultural practices, desertification can be averted. People didn't know about their impact on soil and climate in the past, when they let their herds graze wildly.

[@jollyjokress3852]

@@quinto190 yeah maybe. hopefully also birthrates decline.

[@robheusd]

The answer is, changing the agricultural pracices from devastating to sustainable. More people would just mean, restore more land so that more people can live off the land sustainably.

[@quinto190]

@@robheusd Not just sustainable, natural ecosystems have a tendency to go abundant. But we need to work with that, not against it.

[@UNITED4LIF33]

😂

[@evakozikowska5470]

😅😂😂 the livestock and people made safara a desert...the most ridiculous explanation I have heard ever.

[@tingen8877]

U.S don't help this area bcos they can't get benefit!!!!

[@nanateali1038]

Thanks dear, but what you said is not true. Please go back and find the truth

[@LS-ii3fy]

Every knee will bow every tongue will confess the YESHUA is LORD. Its either now in love for Salvation. Or then for eternal damnation. YESHUA is GOD

[@nsn5564]

No.

[@LS-ii3fy]

@@nsn5564 John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. John 11:25-26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

[@sstarklite2181]

This is a great project! I wish I had $100 billion to help get this moving faster! Because it’s so urgent. The problem is the USA’s wage system, because capitalists think it’s right to give all the money to a few greedy rich people who “can never have enough!” See there should be equal wealth worldwide so we can eliminate all the vehicles and military and weapons, and start helping all nations to start building only Tower cities connected to maglev Trains worldwide. But capitalists are so brain dead that they still believe in the myth of “rugged individualism” and the “middle class”! Capitalism is not “love/help your neighbor”! Anyway, good luck and may God continue teaching people worldwide how to change and start doing everything right!

[@leeshackelford7517]

Lol..a person with no real Economy intelligence....

[@hasanmahmud4808]

Just remove French colonial activities everything will be fine.