I grew up knowing trees were planted mainly for timber, poles, and logs- basically for construction purposes.
In primary and high school, agriculture was taught as an optional subject. I learned about the functions of trees; that they attract rain, act as windbreakers, hold soil firmly against soil erosion and increase the aesthetic value of the surrounding. Little did I know that trees were of greater value to mitigating the effects of climate change!
Credit: Missouri department of conservation
Credit: vector illustration
Scenario- from Youths
A few days ago, I had an opportunity to participate in a storytelling session where several young adults expressed their regrets and wished they had known the significance of trees while they were growing up. Some of the participants said they had never planted a single tree the whole of their lives- at 28 years of age? Can you imagine the number of trees we could be having by the year 2020 if each of the current youths had planted 100 trees every year?
Forests are the easiest and cheapest way to climate action solution. They are the better option that anyone can practice. However, without a deeper understanding and willingness to preserve and protect forests as well as plant more trees, this simple but crucial strategy to climate action may not be realized.
Reasons
Inculcating a tree planting culture, particularly among children at a young age develops a generation of persons who are cautious about their surroundings. The children will grow up knowing that they are responsible for a clean and healthy environment. The children will not allow the destruction of green spaces; they will champion for their conservation.
With environmental conservation, it is never too late. One can start at any age to be a champion of preservation and protection of the trees. Now that we all know how vital a forest is to human life, animals, and plants, we need to adopt the culture of planting as many trees as possible.
Utilize important dates
You can plant trees during special occasions such as birth-dates, wedding days, and anniversaries, get-togethers and any other day. The willingness has to come from within. Nurturing a tree is not as simple as planting; it is not a one-time affair.
Call to Action
We need to make tree planting and increasing our forest covers part of our regular activities to save our planet. The change lies with us. We either save our planet and create a better future for the next generations or do nothing and suffer the consequences.
