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The world mourns the loss of Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher, one of the most influential environmentalists of his time. Tewolde dedicated his life to promoting sustainable development and protecting the environment, particularly in Africa where he was a vocal advocate for conservation efforts. His contributions to environmental conservation and sustainable development were numerous and far-reaching, earning him numerous accolades and recognition throughout his life.
Tewolde began his career as a lecturer at the University of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, where he taught biology and ecology. He later went on to earn a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of Reading in the UK, where he focused on the impact of human activity on Ethiopia’s forests. After completing his doctoral studies, Tewolde returned to Ethiopia and began working for the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in 1991.
Tewolde quickly rose through the ranks at the EPA, becoming the Director-General in 1996, a position he held until 2018. During his tenure, Tewolde oversaw the development and implementation of numerous environmental policies and programs in Ethiopia, including the establishment of the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute and the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority. He was also a member of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Group on Energy and Climate Change and served as the lead negotiator for the African Group of Nations at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.
Beyond his work with the EPA, Tewolde was a founding member of the African Biodiversity Network, an organization advocating for community-based conservation efforts in Africa. He was also a key figure in the establishment of the African Model Forest Network, which promotes sustainable forest management in Africa. Tewolde served as the Chair of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), an intergovernmental body providing scientific information to governments and stakeholders on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Tewolde’s tireless efforts on behalf of the environment earned him numerous accolades throughout his life, including the Right Livelihood Award, the UNEP’s Champion of the Earth award, the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, and the Volvo Environment Prize. He was also a recipient of the Goldman Environmental Prize, which recognizes grassroots environmental activists from around the world. Tewolde was widely recognized as having a significant impact on the global environmental movement, particularly in Africa, where he was seen as a champion of sustainable development and conservation efforts.
Tewolde passed away on March 21, 2023, at the age of 80. His death was met with an outpouring of grief from the global environmental community, which mourned the loss of a true visionary and leader. His professional track was marked by a deep commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development, with his tireless efforts having a significant impact on the global environmental movement. Tewolde’s contributions to the field will be remembered for years to come, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of environmentalists and conservationists.
