The Great Green Wall, initiated by African nations two decades ago, aims to combat desertification in the Sahel. China, leveraging its ecological engineering advancements, is providing crucial support, enhancing funding and strategies to revitalize this effort. The initiative, launched in 2007, seeks to restore 100 million hectares of land, sequester 250 million tons of carbon, and create 10 million jobs, though progress has lagged significantly.

Approximately two decades ago, African nations initiated an ambitious initiative known as the “Great Green Wall,” aiming to create a 7,700-kilometer barrier to inhibit the southward progression of the Sahara Desert. Unfortunately, this project encountered significant challenges, including funding deficiencies, political instability, and a lack of scalable solutions, resulting in stalled progress.

Recently, China has emerged as a key ally in this endeavor, capitalizing on its advanced ecological engineering technologies. At a seminar held in Beijing, Lei Jiaqiang, a respected desertification expert from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, highlighted China’s substantial support for Africa’s battle against desert expansion. His insights reveal the strategic importance for Beijing, intertwining ecological initiatives with diplomatic and economic interests.

The Sahel region, spanning from Senegal to Djibouti, represents a critical zone suffering from climate-induced crises. Prolonged droughts, rampant deforestation, and overgrazing have rendered extensive land areas barren, leading to the dislocation of millions and perpetuating cycles of poverty and conflict. In response, the African Union launched the Great Green Wall initiative in 2007, with the goal of restoring 100 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, while also sequestering 250 million tons of carbon and creating approximately 10 million jobs.

Despite these ambitious targets, by 2020, reports indicated that only 4 percent of the restoration goal had been achieved. This stark reality emphasizes the critical need for enhanced support and innovation in strategies to combat desertification in the region.

In summary, China’s involvement in the Great Green Wall initiative represents a nexus of environmental action and strategic international diplomacy. As an ally providing technological advancements and funding, China aims to assist African nations in overcoming the challenges of desertification while simultaneously reaping diplomatic and economic benefits. The ambitious goals of the Great Green Wall, albeit delayed, underscore the urgent need for concerted efforts to combat climate-driven crises in the Sahel region.

Original Source: www.scmp.com

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