The Green Party of Canada is saddened by the news of the death of Wangari Maathai from cancer at the age of 71. "This is a great loss to the world," said Leader Elizabeth May. "We will endeavour to carry on Wangari's work but we will miss her spirit and her intellect."
Maathai was the first person in history to win the Nobel Peace Prize for environmental work, cited for "her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace." She was a founder of the Green Party of Kenya and of the Green Belt Movement, which created jobs for women planting trees across Kenya, thereby stopping erosion and creating fuel. Her work connected the
dots between environmental degradation and poverty and she carried on that work despite beatings, jail time, and discrimination.
"With great courage, Wangari dedicated her life to making the world a better place. She is a true hero," said May.
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