More Than One Billion Trees Planted in 2007: UN

[RestoreGore]

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/More_than_a_billion_trees_planted_in_2007_UN_999.html

More than a billion trees planted in 2007: UN

by Staff Writers
Nairobi (AFP) Nov 28, 2007
More than one billion trees were planted around the world in 2007, with Ethiopia and Mexico leading in the drive to combat climate change through new lush forest projects, a UN report said Wednesday.
The Nairobi-based UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said the mass tree planting, inspired by Nobel Peace laureate Wangari Maathai, will help mitigate effects of pollution and environmental deterioration.

"An initiative to catalyze the pledging and the planting of one billion trees has achieved and indeed surpassed its mark. It is a further sign of the breathtaking momentum witnessed this year on the challenge for this generation -- climate change," UNEP chief Achim Steiner said in a statement.

"Millions if not billions of people around this world want an end to pollution and environmental deterioration and have rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty to prove the point," he added.

UNEP said the total number of trees planted is still being collated, but developing countries top the list with more than 700 million and 217 million planted in Ethiopia and Mexico respectively.

Ethiopia's high demand for fuel wood and land for cropping and grazing has slashed its forest cover from about 35 percent of its landmass in the early 20th century to just 4.2 percent by 2000, environmentalist say.

Others planters include: Turkey 150 million, Kenya 100 million, Cuba 96.5 million, Rwanda 50 million, South Korea 43 million, Tunisia 21 million, Morocco 20 million, Myanmar 20 million and Brazil 16 million.

Maathai's Green Belt Movement planted 4.7 million trees, double the number it had initially pledged, according to UNEP. The army has participated in re-afforestation drives in Kenya and Mexico.

Indonesia, which will next month host the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is expected to plant almost 80 million trees in one day alone in the run up to the Bali climate meeting.
end of excerpt


This is fantastic news and shows that the environment is something we all feel connected to. Regardless of what you believe about climate change and its causes, our connection to this planet and our responsibilty as good stewards to her is undeniable. Hopefully, these trees being planted will be able to balance out the losses we are suffering through deforestation. Only when we do see the higher consciousness and the moral imperatives involved in taking care of our home will we see the solutions before us. I have been proud to be a part of Tree Nation in helping to plant trees in Niger and will continue to be involved with that initiative in the coming year. I think the U.S. Congress should also announce a major tree planting initiative in this country to help further that goal in the coming year. Trees are the lungs of our planet and provide us with sustinence, coolness, water, food, inspiration, spiritual renewal, and are a home to many other species. My heart is with the trees, so to read this is so gratifying. Perhaps there is hope afterall.

Also see;

http://www.greenbeltmovement.org
The Green Belt Movement site, founded by Dr. Wangari Maathai.

[iamthebandfanman]

1. so how long will it take

for those trees to get old enough to actually influence air quality and the environment ?
20 years?

[RestoreGore]

3. I planted one in Niger six months ago...

And it is growing already. At least people are doing something to replace what has been taken.

[sarge43]

4. They're influencing already.

All their leaves are processing CO2 into food and releasing oxygen. Even young trees provide protection for birds, food for them and insects.

Even one young tree makes a difference. The crab apple I planted four years is now a bit taller than I am, but already it provides nectar and pollen for our bees and bumper crop of fruit for the birds.

[AndyA]

2. Trees do a lot to clean up the environment, too.

Including some of that carbon we humans expect Mother Nature to deal with.

Trees are good for us and for Earth.

I have over 40 mature trees on my property, and I take care of them. They shade my house in the hot summer, and help undo some of the damage I cause when I start up my car, lawnmower, blower, etc.