Ethiopia, once largely forested, has lost most of its tree cover over the past century to farming, grazing, and fuel collection. The loss has worsened soil erosion and made farmland more vulnerable to climate shocks. The government's Green Legacy Initiative, launched in 2019, has mobilized millions of Ethiopians to plant more than 47 billion seedlings, with a goal of 50 billion by 2030. Farmers like Niku Argane have planted dozens of trees on their own land, hoping to restore soil and protect against floods and drought.
Officials report national forest cover rose from 17.2 percent in 2019 to 23.6 percent in 2023, and that annual deforestation fell from more than 350 square miles to around 100 square miles between 2013 and 2023. These figures are government-reported and not independently verified in the article. Researchers caution that reforestation programs often fail; Wageningen University researcher Aad Kessler says even a 30 percent survival rate would make the effort significant.
The stakes are high. Land degradation costs Ethiopia an estimated $4.3 billion a year through lost harvests and income, and in 2024 roughly 15.8 million Ethiopians were expected to need food assistance. The restoration campaign has also helped Ethiopia secure hosting duties for a U.N. climate conference. The article is based on a single source, so no independent comparison of claims is available.