Desert Island Discs Wangari Maathai
5 snips
Jul 1, 2007 
Wangari Maathai, a renowned environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, dives into her inspiring journey from a modest Kenyan upbringing to becoming a global advocate for democracy and nature. She shares poignant moments from her childhood that shaped her passion for tree planting and human rights. Reflecting on her surprise at winning the Nobel Prize, she connects environmental justice with broader human rights. Maathai also discusses the challenges of navigating activism within political spheres, emphasizing the power of traditional knowledge in combating deforestation.
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Roots Shaped A Global Vision
- Wangari Maathai's childhood in a pristine rural environment shaped her lifelong drive to protect nature and society.
- Her US education expanded her perspective, enabling her to spot environmental and political decay on return to Kenya.
Nobel Prize Moment And Mount Kenya
- Wangari Maathai was surprised by the Nobel Committee's recognition linking sustainable resource management with human rights.
- She pictured Mount Kenya smiling and urging her on after learning she'd won the prize.
Childhood Near Forests And Streams
- Maathai recalls childhood play by clean streams and proximity to Abadeya forest and Mount Kenya.
- Those early images fuelled her belief that environment triggers curiosity and creativity in children.
