Fekadu Medhane

Ethiopian climate activist leading community-based solutions to combat deforestation and promote sustainable agriculture

Fekadu Medhane is a climate justice advocate from Ethiopia whose work focuses on empowering rural communities to combat deforestation and adopt sustainable land management practices. Born in the Tigray region, Medhane witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts of climate change on agricultural livelihoods, which inspired his career in environmental advocacy. He co-founded Green Earth Ethiopia, an organization that trains farmers in agroforestry techniques, rainwater harvesting, and renewable energy systems. His initiatives prioritize youth engagement, establishing youth-led climate clubs in over 50 villages to educate and mobilize the next generation.

Medhane’s approach emphasizes local knowledge and decentralized solutions. For instance, he helped revive traditional practices like *farming terraces* to prevent soil erosion, while introducing modern solar irrigation systems to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. His collaboration with international NGOs has secured funding for over 100 community tree-planting projects, restoring degraded landscapes across Ethiopia. Recognized as a finalist in the 2020 African Climate Leadership Awards, his work bridges grassroots action with global climate policy advocacy.

Medhane frequently speaks at forums such as the Pan-African Climate Justice Conference and has been featured in documentaries like *Voices of the Arid Lands* (2021). His efforts underscore the critical role of local communities in global climate resilience, challenging top-down environmental policies that often overlook indigenous knowledge systems.