Planting the Future with Wangari Maathai [On Being from APM]

Planting the Future with Wangari Maathai

April 30, 2009
On Being OnDemand:

A Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Wangari Maathai founded a grassroots organization that empowers African women to improve their lives and conserve the environment through planting trees. She speaks about the global balance of human and natural resources, and shares her thoughts on where God resides.

About the Image

A panoramic shot of the acacia trees on the Masai Mara in Kenya.

+ (photo: Nigel Atherton)

Program Details

» Particulars
an annotated guide to the radio program with readings, images, and links
» Resources
» Books + Music
» Krista's Journal
» Transcript
» Credits

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Hear the Music

» On Being Playlist ¦ hear full-length tracks of each song played in the program

» "There Is No God
Like Him" (mp3, 1:35)
Download a recording of Maathai singing in Kiswali and listen at your leisure.

Special Funding

This sustainability feature is supported by the Kendeda Sustainability Fund of the Tides Foundation.

» Additional sustainability coverage from American Public Media.

SoundSeen

» Custodians of Nature's Coded Wisdom
[audio slideshow, 1:35]

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.

Unheard Cuts

» Unedited Interview with Maathai (mp3, 1:25:04)

In a hotel room in Minneapolis, Krista spoke with Wangari for nearly 90 minutes. Download the uncut conversation, or selected clips from that session:

» 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.

About the Image

A panoramic shot of the acacia trees on the Masai Mara in Kenya.
(photo: Nigel Atherton)

On Being First Person

» Your Voices, Your Stories
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Voice on the Radio

Wangari Maathai
Wangari Maathai is the founder of the Green Belt Movement and the 2004 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. She is the author of Unbowed: A Memoir and The Challenge for Africa.