Wangari Maathai and Norman Ernest Borlaug are famous Nobel Peace Prize winners for their humanitarian contributions in promoting a sustainable world and eliminating poverty. Maathai attained her first degree in Biological Sciences in America at Mount St. Scholastica College (The Green Belt Movement, n.d.). She continued with her education until she earned a doctorate at the University of Nairobi. Specifically, Maathai is renowned for establishing the Green Belt Movement and becoming the first African female to win the Nobel Peace Prize for inspiring people to plant trees to prevent environmental degradation. On his part, Borlaug is an American scientist commonly referred to as the “Father of the Green Revolution” for his agricultural advancement works to lessen starvation (American Academy of Achievement, 2020). He achieved his Ph.D. in plant pathology at the University of Minnesota. Although Maathai and Borlaug pursued different professions, the Green Revolution’s ideology inspired them to use unique approaches based on their specializations to promote sustainability across the globe through strengthening food security.
First, the two humanitarians used the Green Revolution ideas to enhance a sustainable world by creating a cohesive and equitable society. As a father of the Green Revolution, Borlaug used his skills in plant pathology to develop crop species, such as wheat, leading to sufficient yields to meet the food demand of the ever-growing population. In his argument, the world could only sustain the increased population size by increasing production (American Academy of Achievement, 2020). Therefore, he collaborated with the Rockefeller Foundation in Mexico to develop disease-resistant wheat varieties to help the impoverished farmers, struggling with low yields owing to low-producing and diseased crops (American Academy of Achievement, 2020). Similarly, Maathai campaigned for the protection of the environment by planting trees to strengthen the ecological system. In her view, turning the world green through sufficient forest cover would maintain favorable climatic conditions, which would increase agricultural production and avoid desertification.
However, Maathai and Borlaug utilized two distinctive methods to attain sustainable food production and eliminate poverty. While the former possibly borrowed the idea of starting the Green Belt Movement from the latter’s Green Revolution’s idea, they seem to disagree on the appropriate methods to promote environmental sustainability. One of Maathai’s famous quotes is, “The Generation that destroys the environment is not the generation that pays the price” (Hoornweg, 2016, p. 41). She meant that people must adopt measures, which safeguard future generations’ safety and welfare. She believed that increasing the forest cover is the most suitable method because it is ecologically friendly. On his part, Borlaug is famous for the statement that, “The only way that the world can keep up with food production is by the improvement of science and technology” (American Academy of Achievement, 2020, para. 1). Consequently, he focused mainly on increasing agricultural production while ignoring the modern farming approaches’ environmental effects. Indeed, environmentalists criticized his use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, which led to soil deterioration (American Academy of Achievement, 2020). Nevertheless, Borlaug emphasized that technology and science were inevitable instruments in alleviating starvation.
Borlaug concentrated on his scientist work throughout his life while Maathai engaged in different endeavors, including politics. According to the Green Belt Movement (n.d.), Maathai was also an advocate for women’s issues, human rights, and AIDs prevention. She often raised concerns relating to the abuse of women’s rights in the UN’s General Assembly. Besides, Maathai played an indispensable role as a parliamentarian and assistant minister of natural resources, wildlife, and the environment in her country, Kenya. She led women through her Green Belt Movement to demonstrate their qualities in leadership and environmental conservation. Maathai also wrote various books such as “The Challenge for Africa” and “Replenishing the Earth,” which she used to communicate her philosophies in creating a sustainable world by helping the oppressed communities, especially in Africa (The Green Belt Movement, n.d.). On his part, Borlaug remained focused on agricultural development through technology to reinforce food security. He collaborated with scientists and organizations from different continents, including America, Asia, and Africa, to assist the less privileged society members in improving their production levels while encouraging the use of machinery among large-scale farmers.
Finally, both humanitarians had a passion for educating the world about the need to solve various persisting problems, mainly poverty. Hoornweg (2016) argues that Borlaug organized youth activities to educate them on the necessity to embrace science principles to uplift people trapped in poverty. He trained them on appropriate cultivation techniques that guarantee high production and financial profits. Borlaug also engaged other experts, including leaders, in constructive discussions on alleviating hunger across the globe. Similarly, Maathai used her Green Belt Movement to train women and other people to preserve the environment. She assisted to protect river sources and the Congo forests, which dictate central and south Africa’s climate. For instance, Maathai was a co-chair of a Norwegian and British governments’ initiative commonly known as the Congo Basin Fund. She was also a key pillar in inspiring global support towards realizing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Borlaug and Maathai will remain respectable for their contributions in promoting food sustainability across the globe. The modern world requires experts to use their knowledge in transforming the lives of the people to ensure a unified and sustainable society. Both humanitarians used their expertise to improve their communities’ welfare and enlightened individuals to adopt Green Revolution’s ideology to solve their environmental and food insecurity challenges. As Maathai demonstrated, individuals should engage in environmental conservation to meet their present needs and safeguard the welfare of future generations. Equally, Borlaug’s achievements in food production help people embrace technology creatively to address the impoverished population’s anguishes. Undeniably, they deserved the Nobel Peace Prize, and their efforts in promoting sustainability lay a foundation for both current and future generations.
References
American Academy of Achievement. (2020). Norman E. Borlaug, Ph.D. | The father of the Green Revolution. Web.
Hoornweg, D. (2016). Cities and sustainability: A new approach (1st ed.). Taylor & Francis.
The Green Belt Movement (n.d.). Wangari Maathai: Biography. Greenbeltmovement.org. Web.