Mulugeta Melka

Ethiopian climate activist leading Africa's largest tree-planting initiative to combat desertification

Mulugeta Melka is a visionary environmental leader from Ethiopia who has emerged as a global force in the fight against climate change. Since 2020, he has spearheaded the 'Green Legacy Initiative,' mobilizing over 23 million volunteers across Ethiopia to plant more than 6 billion trees in a single day - a Guinness World Record achievement. This initiative directly addresses the critical issue of desertification affecting the Horn of Africa region.

Melka's approach combines grassroots organizing with innovative technology. Through partnerships with local governments and NGOs, he developed mobile apps that track tree planting progress and soil health metrics. His work has been featured in National Geographic and BBC News, highlighting how his methods could be replicated in other drought-prone regions. Recently, Melka expanded his efforts to neighboring countries like Kenya and Somalia through the Pan-African Green Corridor Project.

What makes Melka stand out is his emphasis on community ownership. Each tree-planting campaign includes agricultural training programs, ensuring that local farmers gain skills to sustainably manage newly forested areas. His 2023 TED Talk The Unstoppable Power of a Billion Trees has inspired global audiences to rethink reforestation strategies. By blending traditional knowledge with modern tech, Melka is proving that large-scale environmental change can be driven from the African continent.