Land degradation due to climate change is among the most pressing of all environmental problems. It’s pushing the most vulnerable communities deeper into poverty, while affecting the well-being of children. Amazingly, much of the world’s degraded land contains underground forests. There are complex root systems hidden underground with the potential to rapidly regenerate, heal the environment, help slow climate change and ultimately create a better living environment for generations to come.
World Vision is leading the charge to bring these invisible forests back to life. We are building a movement of businesses, institutions and everyday people to unleash a powerful and revolutionary technique called Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) to tackle both poverty and climate change.
Tony Rinaudo, World Vision Australia’s Principal Climate Action Advisor
FMNR was discovered 40 years ago in Niger by Australian aid worker and agronomist, Tony Rinaudo. Today, Tony is World Vision Australia’s Principal Climate Action Advisor and he and his team have helped to introduce and spread FMNR in 27 countries across Africa and Asia, contributing to the regeneration of millions of hectares of land. Known as the “Forest Maker”, Tony is widely acclaimed for his work. He is a Right Livelihood (Alternative Nobel Prize) award winner and the subject of a 2021 documentary by Oscar-winning German director Volker Schlöndorff.
Tony Rinaudo at TEDxSydney 2023
Tony Rinaudo discovered and put into practice a solution to the extreme deforestation and desertification
Tony Rinaudo receiving the 2018 Right Livelihood Award (Alternative Nobel Prize) for his contribution through FMNR
FMNR made a remarkable impact in Luhundwa, Tanzania, in just three years.
Our FMNR technique has committed its impact agenda to 13 SDGs, to reduce vulnerability and increase the resilience of households in communities most affected by climate change.
Identify indigenous shrubs with extensive root systems.
Selectively prune everything but the best few shoots. This funnels all the nutrients into one spot.
Ensure your shoots are protected from livestock and wildlife as they grow.
Continue to monitor and prune your tree as it grows.
Harvest edible fruits and leaves and use pruned stems and branches for animal fodder, building poles and firewood.
Increases capture and storage of carbon dioxide by trees, plants and soil, removing greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere.
Improves soil fertility for crop production so farmers can grow more food for their children.
Forest products such as firewood, timber and edible fruits become more available that families can use or sell for income.
Farmers can develop new income streams and better provide for their children.
Increased tree and shrub cover and better grass growth mean healthier animals and more valuable assets for families.
Restoring the natural environment reduces the severity and impacts of disasters like droughts and floods.
In Niger alone,
6 million hectares
have been reforested through FMNR - impact you can see from space1.
Per hectare, FMNR can be up to
36 times cheaper
than tree planting2.
One tree can absorb up to
10kg of carbon dioxide
per year3.
The FMNR project supported by World Vision extends over 503 hectares in the highlands of Soddo, Ethiopia, establishing and protecting over 1.2 million trees and restoring degraded native forests, mitigating climate change through the sequestration of an estimated 189,027 tCO2e while reducing erosion and increasing soil fertility in the region. In 2013, it is the first afforestation and reforestation project to gain the Gold Standard Certification, and the first trading of certificates have enabled the generation of revenue to communities for protecting their natural assets.
“But look, now we have enough to feed ourselves, our livestock and to sell for income. Had it not been for the training I received on the FMNR approach, none of this would be happening. Thank you, World Vision,” says Joyce in Kenya.
Tony Rinaudo and Daniel Misson, World Vision’s specialist in Carbon Programming and Partnerships, visited Hong Kong and Macau in June 2024 to share and interact with corporate organisations, schools, churches, donors as well as the public. They have been advocating for climate change and delving into specific action plans to restore natural environment and climate justice. We are truly grateful for our supporters and partners for making the events possible.
Meanwhile, you are encouraged to continue to support our climate action, and make a better world for children and communities!
Symposium - Connecting Capital with Natural Reforestation to Combat Climate Change
You may also email us at [email protected] or give us a call on (852) 2394 2394 to find out more about how you can help.
