Tostan [to 23 April 2016]
http://www.tostan.org/latest-news

.
April 21, 2016
Fostering partnerships to find sustainable environmental solutions and build resilience
At Tostan, our human-rights based approach to community-led development builds resilience in some of the most remote and vulnerable communities in West Africa who have little access to basic supplies and services. The environment is an important component of Tostan’s holistic approach. Rural and urban communities in developing countries are often the first to feel the effects of neglectful and harmful environmental practices by industries in developed countries—the communities in which we work are no exception.

We have seen the importance of communities learning about environmental best practices. For example, many Tostan communities collectively agree to use solar energy to charge cell phones, to provide light for children to study after sundown, and to cook with as an alternative to coal or firewood.

This year’s theme on Earth Day is ‘Trees for the Earth.’ Planting trees helps combat climate change, allows us to breathe cleaner air, and provides income and livelihood to communities. The very act of individuals or groups coming together to plant trees is a pro-environmental behavior that can have a significant impact on other people’s attitudes and eventually on environmental social norms…