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World Environment Day, observed annually on
June 5th, is a powerful reminder of our collective duty to care for the
environment. We can all make a positive impact by embracing sustainable
practices in our daily lives, conserving resources, and advocating for
eco-friendly solutions. Remember, even small steps like planting trees,
reducing waste, or supporting renewable energy contribute to a significant
change. Let's work together to ensure a thriving future for our planet! United
Nations utilizes the occasion to stress on the fact that there is a need to
encourage worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment.
World Environment Day shines a spotlight on
pressing environmental challenges. Each year, a distinct theme is chosen,
tackling issues like climate change, global warming, and deforestation. This
year, the theme of World Environment Day is - Land restoration, desertification
and drought resilience. "According to the UN Convention to Combat
Desertification, up to 40 per cent of the planet's land is degraded, directly
affecting half of the world's population. The number and duration of droughts
has increased by 29 per cent since 2000 - without urgent action, droughts may
affect over three-quarters of the world's population by 2050," the United
Nations official website wrote.
The seed of World Environment Day was sown
in 1972. The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in
Stockholm, Sweden on June 5th, sparked critical discussions on environmental
protection. To honor this pivotal moment, the first official World Environment
Day was celebrated a year later in 1973, and the tradition has continued on the
same date ever since.
World Environment Day raises awareness, mobilizes
action, and promotes environmental sustainability. Through campaigns, events,
and initiatives, World Environment Day inspires individuals and communities to
make changes, fostering a sense of urgency and addressing environmental
challenges for a sustainable future.
Oyugis integrated project staffs and
shirikisho crafts students took the initiative this year to plant more trees
within the compound. It was a quick and enjoyable work. Each participant
planted one tree and we ended up planting forty trees within a span of fifteen
minutes. Last year we did it and we vowed to do it again this year, we look
forward to do more next year. Small steps might produce a tremendous influence
in future. We are happy to participate in this noble course.
WHY ARE TREES IMPORTANT TO THE ENVIRONMENT?
Trees help clean the air we breathe, filter
the water we drink, and provide habitat to over 80% of the world's terrestrial
biodiversity.
Forests provide jobs to over 1.6 billion
people, absorb harmful carbon from the atmosphere, and are key ingredients in
25% of all medicines. Have you ever taken an Aspirin? It comes from the bark of
a tree!
Here are the six pillars that explain why
trees are vital:
Trees clean the air
Trees help to clean the air we breathe.
Through their leaves and bark, they absorb harmful pollutants and release clean
oxygen for us to breathe. In urban environments, trees absorb pollutant gases
like nitrogen oxides, ozone, and carbon monoxide, and sweep up particles like
dust and smoke. Increasing levels of carbon dioxide caused by deforestation and
fossil fuel combustion trap heat in the atmosphere. Healthy, strong trees act
as carbon sinks, offset carbon and reducing the effects of climate change.
BIODIVERSITY
A single tree can be home to hundreds of
species of insect, fungi, moss, mammals, and plants. Depending on the kind of
food and shelter they need, different forest animals require different types of
habitat. Without trees, forest creatures would have nowhere to call home.
Trees help to regulate climate
Trees help cool the planet by sucking in
and storing harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into their trunks,
branches, and leaves — and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere. In
cities, trees can reduce ambient temperatures by up to 8° Celsius. With more
than 50% of the world’s population living in cities — a number expected to
increase to 66% by the year 2050 — pollution and overheating are becoming a
real threat. Fortunately, a mature tree can absorb an average of 22lbs of
carbon dioxide per year, making cities a healthier, safer place to live.
HEALTH
Did you know that hospital patients with
rooms overlooking trees recover faster than those without the same view? It’s
impossible to ignore that feeling of elation you get while walking through a
calm, quiet forest. Trees help reduce stress and anxiety, and allow us to
reconnect with nature. In addition, shade provided by tree coverage helps
protect our skin from the ever-increasing harshness of the sun.
Trees help reduce stress and anxiety
Trees have a social impact
SOCIAL IMPACT
From arborists to loggers and researchers,
the job opportunities provided by the forestry industry are endless. We don’t
just rely on trees for work, though. Sustainable tree farming provides timber
to build homes and shelters, and wood to burn for cooking and heating.
Food-producing trees provide fruit, nuts, berries, and leaves for consumption
by both humans and animals, and pack a powerful nutritional punch.
WATER
Trees play a key role in capturing rainwater and reducing the risk of natural disasters like floods and landslides. Their intricate root systems act like filters, removing pollutants and slowing down the water’s absorption into the soil. This process prevents harmful waterslide erosion and reduces the risk of over-saturation and flooding. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Association, a mature evergreen tree can intercept more than 15,000 litres of water every year.
Br. Michael Mbogo
ref: onetreeplanted.org
