Overview:

West Africa is the world’s “ground zero” for vulnerable communities struggling to adapt to climate change. It is facing a “lethal mix” of threats including climate crisis, rising food prices and the trafficking of people, arms and drugs into and via the region. On the other hand, West Africa collectively supplies two thirds (2/3) of the world’s cocoa crop. Moreover, it hosts 12 of the most celebrated World Heritage UNESCO Sites in Africa, which “are really, really in danger because of climate disruptions” according to UNESCO.

In the summer of 2023, the Green Project embarked on its 8th “green photo journey”, covering the 4074km of “LΑ ROUTE DU CACAO” connecting 12 organic cocoa farms, 10 UNESCO sites and 1 renewable energy sources’ installation, passing through Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria.

The Green Project explored the everyday life of local cocoa farmers, like the https://threemountainscocoa.com/, who cultivate their land sensibly, using traditional methods, and looked into their philosophy, which supersedes all aspects of life, from ecosystem management and social relationships to personal identity. Indigenous peoples’ wisdom on nature conservation, could provide new impetus on developing a global culture of understanding sustainability and enable humans to effectively preserve the biodiversity of our planet for present and future generations. Some believe deterministically, that climate change will lead to more conflict. The Green Project claims that It can also lead to more cooperation.

The 8 photographers taking part in the expedition above, have been Dr Yannis Tzortzis, Ms Katerina Batzaki, Ms Vasiliki Kasoumi, Dr Aggelos Katsaggelos, Mr Akis Sarantopoulos, Mr Yannis Sfendourakis, Mr Alexandros Skouras and Mr Nikos Vittis.

The Campaign:

connecting 12 organic cocoa farms, 10 UNESCO sites and 1 renewable energy sources’ installation, passing through Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria.

mission members:

Dr Yannis Tzortzis

Ms Katerina Batzaki

Ms Vasiliki Kasoumi

Dr Aggelos Katsaggelos

Mr Akis Sarantopoulos

Mr Yannis Sfendourakis

Mr Alexandros Skouras 

Mr Nikos Vittis