Girma W/Giorgis

President – Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Today’s Date: 11 December 2007

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

The interaction that has had great impact in my life are mainly two
a) The Bale Mountain Fox and
b) The Environment

a) The Bale Mountain Fox: There are a great number of species of mammals and birds endemic to Ethiopia. Among those mammals, the Bale Mountain Fox is also a rare endemic. Many years ago, thousands of the Bale Mountain Fox were widely spread in the highlands of Ethiopia; but now their number has declined because of agricultural expansion. However, it brings a considerable foreign revenue to Ethiopia.

b) The Environment: Environment is the very basis of life in general. But due to improper management (utilization), the world is threatened with climate change. As a result, the livelihood of more and more people is threatened by environmental degradation; that increases erosion and loss of soil, the rapid depletion of the biodiversity as indigenous forests and eco-systems disappear.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Yes, I have a favorite place in the great outdoors during my childhood and even at present.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?

My favorite animals are “Gureza” and apes. Unlike other animals, these two animals are very fast and jump very long distance from tree to tree.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

The great environmental challenge facing us now is climate change warming which is caused by rapid deforestation.

The rapid deforestation caused mainly by farmers need for more arable lands, growing population and recently also the expansion of commercial plantation. However, to prevent environmental degradation mitigation measures such as enhancing of afforestation programs, both to protect soil and stop the threat of desertification.

5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

The world now is threatened with climate change due to gas emission unless we prevent the environment from destruction, nature will not support us. So environmental degradation needs to integrate into policy measures towards sustainable development. Besides this, we have to use other alternatives such as solar energy, wind, biogas, etc. More mitigation measures are required to reduce the threat of desertification for environmental stability.


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