Melatnesh Alemu

Ethiopian environmental scientist combating desertification through indigenous methods

Dr. Melatnesh Alemu (b.1978) pioneered the Green Belt Movement 2.0 in Ethiopia's Afar region, blending traditional agro-pastoral techniques with drone technology. Her team planted 4.7 million drought-resistant Acacia senegal trees using seed-spray drones across 12,000 hectares of degraded land from 2015-2020.

By collaborating with Afar nomads, Alemu developed the 'Mobile Sand Dam' system - portable water-harvesting structures that increased vegetation cover by 38% in participating communities. Her patented BioChar Irrigation Pods, made from livestock waste and volcanic ash, improved crop yields by 200% during the 2022 Horn of Africa drought.

Recognized by UNEP's Champions of the Earth award (2021), Alemu's methods have been adopted in Sahel nations. Her current project deploys blockchain-enabled water credits allowing urban Ethiopians to fund rural regeneration projects through mobile apps.