World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 each year.
In 1977 to mark the day Wangari Maathai with support from the National Council of Women in Kenya started the Green Belt Movement. It aimed to empower women and protect the environment mainly with tree planting as an entry point.
Since then Wikipedia reports that 51 million trees have been planted and 30000 women trained in various trades that enable them to support themselves.
Wangari Maathai won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. She died in 2011.
Lord,
we thank you for the life of Wangari Maathai.
It is an example of the difference one person can make.
May her life inspire others to work to protect the environment and repair some of the damage that we have done to the earth.
May it also empower people to live in sustainable and just ways.
Amen
By Fr Pat O'Shea - Lower Hutt
Wangari Maathai
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