Name: Ethiopia aims to plant seven billion trees by 2025
Uploaded: 2025-11-19T09:19:00.797Z
Duration: 3 min 38 s
Description: Ethiopia wants to plant over 7 billion trees by 2025 - for a better climate and to fight erosion and drought. The project will also create many jobs.

Ethiopia wants to plant over 7 billion trees by 2025 - for a better climate and to fight erosion and drought. The project will also create many jobs.

Gemeto Gale

Ethiopia is advancing its Green Legacy Initiative with the goal of planting seven billion trees by 2025. Since the program's launch in 2019, more than 30 billion seedlings have already been planted across the country to address deforestation, soil erosion, and climate change. 

The initiative has also generated economic benefits, including job creation in plant nurseries and increased awareness of environmental issues. While sapling survival rates vary, local communities and authorities are working together to protect young trees and ensure the program's long-term success.

Ethiopia aims to plant seven billion trees by 2025

It almost looks like a religious pilgrimage. But the crowds are heading up Alamura Mountain for a different reason. These people are taking part in a massive reforestation effort. The region has experienced deforestation and erosion. Now with the rainy season just around the corner, conditions are ideal for planting trees. The volunteers are contributing to the Green Legacy Initiative, a nationwide program launched in 2019. Its goal, to restore degraded landscapes and combat climate change. Our village often experiences floods and soil erosion. Sometimes the floods are so severe that they even wash away the new trees. But the ones we planted recently on the terraces are growing well. Across Ethiopia, more than 30 billion seedlings have been planted in five years. Mature trees prevent soil erosion and stop the land drying out, as well as providing a habitat for wildlife. This area used to be a plain and hilly landscape with no trees. Since the campaign began, the environment has become greener and birds are returning. The initiative has helped raise awareness of the importance of trees, and led to new businesses too. Plant nurseries are booming. They help create jobs with a stable income, especially for young people. I had no money to support my parents who were sick. I had to drop out of school due to financial problems too. Now, since getting a job at the nursery, I can support my parents and continue my education. Once mature enough, the saplings go to government institutions, NGOs and private customers. We mainly grow fruit trees, including avocado, papaya and mango, In addition to their importance for protecting the climate, the trees are also used for food when they grow. The avocado tree varieties are specially selected and are suitable for the local climate. In this nursery, 20 unemployed workers have been given permanent jobs, and 70 to 80 other workers have been given temporary jobs. In 2025, the Green Legacy Initiative is once again on track to achieve its reforestation goals. Trees are vital in the fight against climate change. They store CO2 and help cool the atmosphere by providing shade and releasing water vapor into the air. The survival rate of the saplings varies. While some studies report rates of just above 50%, official figures claim an overall success of 80 to 90%. Planting in suitable locations and ensuring proper aftercare are key. The village administration and the local community are working together to hire people to protect the young saplings. My friends and I have also found employment by caring for the trees. It's an investment in Ethiopia's future that aims to improve the climate in the region and raise awareness of the importance of trees.

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