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How do we save Africa's forests?

How do we save Africa's forests?

The Climate Question vor 1 Monat

Environmentalist Wanjira Mathai on protecting some of the planet's most vital ecosystems

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African forests are vital for food and economic development, as
well as for supporting millions of species of animals and plants.
We find out how to protect them better with one of Africa’s top
environmentalists!

From the giant Congo rainforest to the Kenyan highlands and the
mangroves of Mozambique, Africa’s forests are some of the most
spectacular places on Earth. And these sensitive ecosystems are
not just important for Africa: they play a vital role in the
global climate because they store huge amounts of carbon dioxide
and pump out oxygen.

Kenyan environmentalist Wanjira Mathai has been campaigning to
protect and nurture forests for decades. She tells The Climate
Question about the challenges they now face across Africa from
rapid urbanisation, mining and logging. The solution, according
to Wanjira, is to place a proper economic value on the
environmental services provided by forests and the communities
who live in them – whether that’s supplying water and food, or
helping to prevent floods sweeping through cities such as
Nairobi. Wanjira Mathai is Managing Director, Africa and Global
Partnerships at the World Resources Institute. She’s been
chatting to The Climate Question host Jordan Dunbar and BBC
Senior Climate Reporter Esme Stallard.

Got a question for The Climate Question? Email us:
theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Producers: Diane Richardson and Melanie Stewart-Smith Sound Mix:
Mike Regaard and Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts