Helen Mirren Fights Ancient Olive Tree Plague

Actress Dame Helen Mirren is actively engaged in a decade-long mission to combat the invasive bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which has been destroying Italy's olive trees since 2013. This devastating outbreak has reportedly wiped out approximately 22 million trees, some over a millennium old. Mirren, who co-founded the organization Save the Olives, emphasizes the urgency of the situation.

She co-founded Save the Olives to disseminate accurate information and encourage public attention to the crisis. The organization facilitates donations to fund the costly process of grafting bacteria-resistant olive trees onto at-risk specimens, allowing donors to name and track their adopted trees. Furthermore, Save the Olives is involved in developing new olive species that yield high-quality oil.

The preservation of these trees is crucial, as olive oil production is a major economic driver for Italy. The devastation caused by Xylella has led to economic damage estimated in the billions of euros, impacting jobs and the industry significantly. Mirren remains hopeful that these conservation efforts will successfully protect these vital trees.