Tree Planters Of The World
There are many ways to reduce the amount of CO2 that enters the atmosphere, from using renewable energy to buying local produce. But a recent study has found that tree planting is the most effective way. It has estimated that worldwide tree planting could remove two-thirds of all the emissions humans have released into the atmosphere. I therefore wanted to shed light on the amazing progress individuals and organisations are making to plant trees!
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Let's start with a man in India, called Jadav Payeng. In 1969, scientists declared that the Majuli Island in Assam would soon become barren after a huge drought. At the age of just 16, Jadav decided he wanted to solve this problem, and started planting saplings in this dry wasteland every day. Fast forward 35 years, an entire forest has been established due to the endeavours of this man, which has been estimated to be twice the size of Central Park. It has now become the home of many endangered animals, like tigers and Asian elephants. It is amazing what someone can achieve when they put their mind to it!
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Another institution that recognises the potential of trees is the Philippine Government. Many countries have lost forests due to deforestation - in the case of the Philippines this amounts to a 32% decline, but the state may have found a solution. A new law obliging each student to plant ten trees before graduation will lead to 175 million trees planted annually. This will make a massive difference in reducing CO2 levels and protecting wildlife that rely on forests, such as the critically endangered Philippine Eagle.
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As mentioned above, restoring forests helps re-establish habitats for animals, and one company is now close to reaching 85 million trees planted. This is Ecosia, a search engine that plants trees and focuses on biodiversity hotspots all across the globe. This company, based in Berlin, is carbon neutral and has been running for 11 years. When you use it, you can see how many trees you've helped to plant with the tree counter in the top-right corner of the search engine (I've hit 901!). If you want to do your bit for the planet by changing something as small as a daily habit, then this is your perfect opportunity!
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Sources:
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Website - https://www.ecosia.org/