Peace prize goes to Kenyan tree planter.Wangari Maathai Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai born April 1, 1940 in Ihithe village, Tetu division, Nyeri District of Kenya is an environmental and political activist. In 2004 she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for "her contribution to sustainable development, democracy , an environmental activist in Kenya and leader of the Green Belt Movement The Green Belt Movement is a grassroots non-governmental organization based in Kenya that takes an holistic approach to development by focusing on environmental conservation, community development and capacity building. , was named the recipient of this year's Nobel Peace Prize The Nobel Peace Prize (Swedish and Norwegian: Nobels fredspris) is the name of one of five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel. . Maathai, the deputy environment minister for Kenya, is the first African woman to win the prize. She in known across the world for her work with the Green Belt Movement, which seeks to empower women, improve the environment, and fight corruption in Africa. The movement has planted more than 30 million trees across the continent, an AP story said. Maathai was featured as an Earthkeeper in American Forests in 1990; the article described how the movement had combatted desertification desertification Spread of a desert environment into arid or semiarid regions, caused by climatic changes, human influence, or both. Climatic factors include periods of temporary but severe drought and long-term climatic changes toward dryness. by planting trees and convincing other African nations to start similar programs. In making the award, the Nobel Committee called Maathai "a strong voice speaking for the best forces in Africa to promote peace and good living conditions on that continent." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] |
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