Green Wins Nobel Peace Prize

"Many wars in the world are actually fought over natural resources. We plant the seeds of peace now and in the future." -- Wangari Maathai

Not that anyone thought George Bush or Tony Blair would win this year's Nobel Peace Prize, but who knows -strange things like this happen these days. But in light of their nomination, something stranger did happen - a true beacon of peace and a shining hope for the future won the Peace Prize.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2004 Peace Prize to Wangari Maathai for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace. The Kenyan Green Party founder will accept the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize this year in Stockholm -she is the first African women to win the prize, which is the first awarded to an "environmentalist." But then again, being the first at something is par for the Maathai course.

Maathai was born in Nyeri, Kenya and went to college in the United States, where she earned her Master's at the University of Pittsburgh. Maathai was the first East African woman to earn a Ph.D at the University of Wairobi and has since continued to pave the way for African women with her many accomplishments. Maathai founded "The Greenbelt Movement," an environmental lobby in 1977. The group helped mobilize thousands of poor women to plant 30 million trees in an organized effort to stop soil erosion and the desertification of Africa.

Under the regime of President Daniel Arap Moi, Maathai was imprisoned several times and violently attacked for demanding multi-party elections and an end to corruption and tribal politics (And we thought the "anyone but bush" crowd was rough!).

Affectionately known as the "tree woman," Maathai was elected to parliament in 2002 as a representative of the Mazingira Green Party of Kenya, which she founded. The party was a small but important alliance partner in the coalition that ousted the Moi regime's designated successor in that election.

Maathai was appointed Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Wildlife in January, 2003.

According to the Nobel Committee, Maathai "has taken a holistic approach to sustainable development that embraces democracy, human rights and women's rights in particular. She thinks globally and acts locally."

"Maathai stood up courageously against the former oppressive regime in Kenya" the Norwegian Nobel Committee said when they announced her as the recipient of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. "Her unique forms of action have contributed to drawing attention to political oppression - nationally and internationally. She has served as inspiration for many in the fight for democratic rights and has especially encouraged women to better their situation."

The media has portrayed Maathai as an environmentalist, but this is simply because they don't understand Green politics. In fact, they completely ignored the fact that Maathai is the founding member of the Green Party or that she was a Green Party member elected to parliament. The media apparently didn't understand what it means to be Green and what environmentalism has to do with peace.

The simple truth is that most all wars are about natural resources, such as land, water, minerals. One need not look further than the U.S. invasion of Iraq to be reminded of the many wars steeped in oil. Conflict and violence are deeply embedded in the environment. Along with that violence comes oppression, social injustice, environmental degradation, economic instability and longlasting bitterness. This is why Greens are tireless advocates for peace.

Maathai's work planting trees and taking on a dictatorship reflects the essence of Green values. Her work empowering women to take control of their economic destiny and their power is a reflection of the Green value of feminism. Planting millions of trees demonstrates the vision of ecological wisdom and economic sustainability. Her fight to end the dictatorship encompassed nearly all the 10 key Green values and the Nobel committee recognizes the wisdom of these values in Maathai's work.

Perhaps the goal of the Nobel committee was to augment some balance in the world. In order to counteract the foolish and weak destructiveness of the ignorant warmonger Mr. Bush, they chose to honor the wise, constructive, powerful Kenyan Green, Wangari Maathai.

Maathai will accept a gold medal, diploma and 1.3 million dollars on December 10.

Congratulations Wangari Maathai!

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