April 24, 2008
A riveting Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement — a grassroots organization that empowers African women to improve their lives and conserve the environment through planting trees. She knows what many in the West have forgotten — that ecological crises are often the hidden root causes of war. Maathai speaks about the global balance of human and natural resources, and she shares her thoughts on where God resides. |
SoundSeen: Audio Slideshow
 Custodians of Nature's Coded Wisdom
This audio gallery features images of Kenyan women striving for a more verdant future. Photos are accompanied by Wangari Maathai singing a native tune in Kiswahili that's often sung while planting trees. (Flash required) |
Unheard Cuts
» Complete, Unedited Interview (mp3, 1:25.04)
For the first time, we're releasing Krista's entire conversation with Wangari Maathai. Listen for some of the great clips we had to cut and let us know what you think.
And, we've also isolated a couple of clips in which Maathai speaks specifically to points we found particularly insightful:
» An Unexpected Position in Nairobi (mp3, 3:20)
A trained biologist, Maathai's career path has led her to many endeavors — including teaching at a veterinary school of medicine.
» Dealing with Political Corruption in Government (mp3, 5:39)
Maathai talks about the climate of corruption in the government in which she served, and about the need for "democratic space" in which her work with the environment can thrive. |
Special Funding
This sustainability feature is supported by:
» Additional sustainability coverage
from American Public Media. |
Voice on the Radio
Wangari Maathai
Maathai is a member of parliament and assistant minister for environment and natural resources of the Republic of Kenya. She is also the founder of the Greenbelt Movement and the 2004 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
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