Nature Answers: Rural Stories from a Changing Planet Farm Radio International

Trees are the looming lifelines of our planet, and their roots run deep in rural Uganda. But in Morungatuny burning them for charcoal was the main economic driver of the economy. And trees were needed for firewood for cooking and building.

The rates of consumption soon outpaced the availability of trees. This resulted in extra difficulties faced by women, from the long distances they had to travel for firewood, to higher rates of domestic violence caused by economic stress.

So the community was faced with a question: what could they change to make life better for everyone – and for future generations especially. Community members like Jethro and Aliba Mary came to the community with answers — answers pulled from nature itself.

Not long ago, Kikandwa, Uganda, was considering cutting down the 100-year-old mango tree in the centre of town. What happened instead was the exact opposite.

We talk a lot about Nature-based Solutions on Nature Answers. But what are they actually? What makes a Nature-based Solution a nature-based solution? What does it mean to have both human and ecological benefits? And why are they so important anyways?

What can you do when the resources that pay you stop growing back? Mangrove rehabilitation is providing a path to a secure environmental and economic future for community members in Agbledomi, Ghana.

The Artwotngo community in Uganda worked hard to revamp their environment after a civil war. Now an aquaculture system is helping them go further.

In northern Ghana a mango plantation is growing a future for the community of Gagbiri – one with a thriving economy, that provides for its women and youth, and that protects them from a changing climate.