The world is suffering from global warming, but in Africa the damage is greater. Due to climate change, environmental pollution, and excessive development, the Sahara has become barren land. Desertification occurred as forests disappeared and rivers and lakes dried up in the Sahara Desert where vast peaceful grasslands were spread out. To prevent the continuation of this problem, in 2007 the "Great Green Wall" project was begun to create a super-sized forest longer than the Great Wall of China.

The Great Green Wall is a project by the African Union and the United Nations to restore the southern Sahara that has been devastated by climate change and persistent desertification, by creating a super-large forest across 11 African countries. The project, involving 20 African countries including Ethiopia and Mali, aims to create a huge forest wall of 7,775 kilometers in length from Senegal at the western end of Africa to Djibouti at the eastern Red Sea.

The project is special in that local residents participate. The designers of the project pay for local residents to plant and manage trees. The participation rate of residents is bound to be high as it is a project that can change the lives of millions of people suffering from climate change by restoring farmland that has been ruined by excessive use.

A little over a decade after the project began, Ethiopia has restored 36 million acres of desolate land, and Nigeria has created 20,000 jobs. Senegal, which is particularly active in this project, has already successfully created 30% of its target forests. In addition, Niger succeeded in restoring 5 million hectares of land and about 200 million trees.

When a huge forest wall is created in desertified areas, the ecosystem will change surprisingly. In fact, animals such as antelopes and rabbits, which have not been seen for the past 50 years, have begun to appear since the project had begun. Biodiversity and soil recovery have also been achieved as shade has been created from the windbreak forest and trees. In addition, local people got jobs through agriculture, giving them the opportunity to escape poverty.

This project has had a positive impact on nature, humans, animals, and plants. Dr. Janet Edeme, an African light agricultural expert said, "The African Green Wall is one of the most innovative and bold efforts in human history, a true world wonder." As climate change is a matter directly related to the survival of local people in Africa, everyone hopes that the project will succeed as soon as possible.

L.L.F reporter Hyeon-Bin Song