Rising temperatures, a decline in natural resources and growing inequality – these are all consequences of climate change.
Rising temperatures are a direct result of climate change, while the decline of natural resources and growing inequality are complex issues that climate change significantly worsens. As extreme weather, droughts, and environmental stress increase, already vulnerable communities face greater hardship, amplifying existing inequalities and putting more pressure on limited natural resources.
So what should be our response? A simple yet powerful response is evergreening.
But what exactly is evergreening? Or Evergreening Solutions? It’s thrown around by scientists, practitioners and environmental enthusiast but why does it matter so much?
What Is Evergreening?
Evergreening is more than just restoring degraded land—it’s about keeping it green and productive for generations to come. By integrating trees, shrubs, and ground cover into farming and grazing systems, Evergreening helps heal landscapes while strengthening communities.
It draws on a variety of proven, scalable approaches—like tree planting, agroforestry, and Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR)—to bring degraded ecosystems back to life and ensure they stay healthy and resilient.
Why Evergreening Is Essential
1. It Rebuilds Ecosystems
When land is degraded, ecosystems collapse. Evergreening revives biodiversity, stabilizes soils, improves rainfall retention, and restores the natural balance of life—bringing back habitats for plants, animals, and people.
2. It Helps Tackle Climate Change
Trees and healthy soils absorb carbon, acting as natural climate regulators. Evergreening not only draws carbon from the atmosphere but also makes communities more resilient to floods, droughts, and other climate extremes.
3. It Boosts Food Security
By restoring soil health and reintroducing vegetation, Evergreening increases agricultural productivity—especially in dryland regions. Farmers can grow more food, protect water supplies, and sustain their land over time.
4. It Reduces Poverty and Builds Resilience
Restoring land creates jobs, drives local economies, and empowers communities—particularly women and youth. It helps reduce forced migration and gives people a reason to stay, grow, and thrive where they live.
5. It’s Proven, Scalable, and Affordable
Evergreening isn’t a future dream—it’s already happening at scale. Communities around the world are restoring millions of hectares using simple tools, indigenous knowledge, and collective action.
Evergreening isn’t just about planting trees, it’s about transforming landscapes and livelihoods. It’s a holistic solution that unites climate action, poverty reduction, and ecological restoration into one global movement.
At the Global EverGreening Alliance, we’re working with local and international partners to scale up these efforts, because a greener world is a fairer, safer, and more resilient one.
Learn more about how we’re implementing evergreening solutions through our flagship programme: Restore Africa