Tree planting is pivotal in fighting Climate Change

News
by Friends of the Environment Trust Humankind over the years have always been faced with threats of extinction, among them being pandemics such as the current COVID-19 which has wreaked havoc in the world over the past 14 months; disasters such as earthquakes and floods, that have been experienced over the past decade. However, the […]

by Friends of the Environment Trust

Humankind over the years have always been faced with threats of extinction, among them being pandemics such as the current COVID-19 which has wreaked havoc in the world over the past 14 months; disasters such as earthquakes and floods, that have been experienced over the past decade. However, the main reason we are still here is the human capacity to adapt and build survival strategies that have sustained mankind.

Global Warming and Climate Change have become the latest threat to this generation because of its link to the extreme weather fluctuations leading to crop failure, frequent natural disasters and the general deterioration of the wellbeing of people. Each generation has, however, come up with a number of strategies to mitigate against the threats of their time.

In our time, which is now, a number of the strategies have been adopted to combat Climate Change and one such strategy is tree planting to build resilience in people and restore nature for the future. Trees breathe life to communities and can fix the environment in a sustainable way bringing along a lot of gains that we never realised as a generation.

As for Zimbabwe, our forests are depleting much faster than nature can replenish on its own including current reforestation efforts.

To combat climate change effectively, we must aim to plant trees starting from grassroots level all the way to international involvement.

This initiative was prompted by the realization that our forests are threatened with extinction before the turn of the century from the uncontrolled deforestation and land degradation taking place in the country.

Statistics at hand show that about 330 000 hectares of land is being cleared of trees each year. On average one hectare carries 1600 trees. Put differently, about 330,000 football pitches are being created annually and in the process felling 528 million trees.

The reasons for this destruction range from creation of farming land, firewood for cooking, tobacco curing, hardwood furniture businesses and many other underlying factors which have been our way of life from time immemorial. Normal as it may appear for people’s daily survival, it is not sustainable in the long term without replacing the trees that are being cut. People should see trees not only as the immediate source of heat energy available but consider other benefits that far outweigh energy needs, particularly their mitigating effects against the climate change.

Friends of the Environment (FOTE) accepted the reality on the ground and the responsibility to turnaround the cycle for posterity. They have embarked on a number of initiatives including the annual walkathon, planting trees to reforest the country, campaigning to conserve the already existing forests, educating communities on the importance of trees and going green in all our activities.

The response from the people started off very low, with some failing to appreciate why FOTE was encouraging them to take over nature’s responsibility. However, with time, some recipients of ‘a tree with every burial’ started requesting more seedlings to plant after enjoying the fruits of the first tree, while some bereaved families that failed to plant a tree at the burial of the loved ones started approaching FOTE seeking trees to plant at the memorial of their loved ones. The ultimate goal is to get all people planting trees on any occasion, be it a birthday, wedding, anniversary, birth of a child, and graduation. More so, participation at individual level in line with the national tree planting project will become easier towards achieving our target of 500 million trees in 15 years.

Nearly all provinces and districts on the other hand have shown keen interest on the project and are in the process of identifying the land to plant trees.

FOTE envisage making a lasting difference now and for future generations through the creation of woodlots, planting trees in cemeteries throughout the country, rehabilitation of streets and highways with trees on either side. The idea is to create at least a green zone in every district.

The tree planting programmes are all encompassing, driven by communities for sustenance and ownership, and anchored by local authorities, traditional leadership, the corporate world, NGOs, civic organisations, the government and the international community.

The FOTE initiative was pioneered by Nyaradzo Group when they started planting a tree with every burial they carried out since July 2010. This idea was warmly received by the public such that it was decided to cascade it further by inviting other Companies to come together and form a not-for-profit Trust, FOTE which commenced tree planting activities in 2010.

The activities are in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Goal 13: To take urgent action to combat climate change, Goal 15:

To protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss and its impacts, leading to Goal 2: To end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

The key objective is to strengthen the ability of communities and key institutions to adapt to change, particularly the effects of climate change. Focus is on women and youths who constitutes the greater population in rural areas where almost 70% of Zimbabweans reside.

We recognise the efforts by partners in environmental stewardship such as Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe, who have religiously participated in the National Tree Planting Day activities by planting trees around the company’s quarries in Manresa. This is part of their ongoing quarry rehabilitation programme and through the participation of their employees, they have managed to plant about 3000 trees in the past three years. The company, Lafarge last year, partnered with community members in Manresa Park in planting 1000 trees along a 3km stretch of road running behind the residential area.

If you watch the news regularly, it can feel like every day we hear about a new environmental crisis. Sometimes Mother Nature is just having a bad day, but often times the crisis is man-made. By taking time to read this article, the assumption is that you want to be a good steward of the environment and leave a legacy for future generations to marvel at. So, what can we do? Well, a good starting point is to learn more about planting trees and, FOTE and all partners are willing to assist.

A tree today, a forest tomorrow!

Home Frontpage

[email protected] Facebook page: friendsoftheenvironment05