Saving the Congo Rainforest and its indigenous communities - life support for the second largest rainforest
Remy Zahiga, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is a young climate activist who has made it his life mission to save the Congo Basin Rainforest. To do this, he’s been planting trees in areas that have been damaged by mining activities, while also lobbying authorities to prioritize the saving of the rainforest. The Congo Rainforest is the second largest tropical rainforest in the world, covering an area of 2 million square kilometers, and is also one of the most biodiverse areas on Earth, supporting hundreds of species of trees and an estimated 10,000 species of animals. In addition, an estimated 75 million people (including approximately 150 ethnic groups) live in this forest and depend on it for their livelihoods. In this episode, Remy shares why he wants local communities, young people and governments to help him save this vital region.
LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE HERE
Hosts: Jennifer Gacich (FAO) and Mateusz Benko (UNEP)
Producers: Cecilia Casalini (FAO), Giorgia Cherubini (UNEP), Katia de Prado (UNEP), Pierre Flecheux (UNEP) and James Obata (FAO).
Music © “Jungle” by DayFox
Picture © Remy Zahiga
Learn more:
- Global Citizen: Why I'm Working to Save the Congo Rainforest and Its Indigenous Communities
- Remy Zahiga Twitter
- Remy Zahiga LinkedIn
- Green Congo Initiative
- UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration