Do you know that thousands of trees are cut down every day? This process is called deforestation. Trees are cut down for farming and other purposes. What’s more, the wood of the trees can be used to make many products like furniture and paper. However, deforestation harms our environment and causes global warming. The ratio of the amount of trees now and in the past is 1:3. Can you imagine a day when there are no more trees left in the world? To replace the amount of trees that have been lost in the last few years, we needed to plant back 1.3 million km2 of trees! If a huge area of the forest is being cut down, the animals will have no home; and thus become extinct. If there are no more trees left, we will also become extinct. However, there is something to be done; you can help to plant back more trees!

All of you can help to plant a “tree” in your home too, in a small pot or in your garden (If you have one). Perhaps, your school will also bring you on a “planting tree” trip! Anyway, here are some tips for you when you plant a tree. Try to plant a kind of plant that is native and will grow well in your country. Always remember that you must handle it carefully so that the plant will not die. You need to water the plant often so that it can grow perfectly. Do not plant too many trees beside one another or else, they may get less sunlight and nutrients than what is needed.

How does it help the Earth?

You must be wondering, how does planting a tree helps to save and help our Earth. I will first explain to you what benefits trees bring us. Do you know that trees are a form of resource? The wood from the trees can be used to make timber, fuel, rubber, herbs and many other things and food for the animals. Forests helps prevent desertification. Also, the forest animals live in these trees. Trees help to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This is why in the past; the amount of greenhouse gases is not that high.

Recently, deforestation is continuing at a shocking rate. In Africa, about half of the original forests and trees were lost. Luckily, the forests in Europe and some parts of Asia have been expanding these few years. Do you know that because of deforestation, trees have been destroyed and the habitats of many animals are destroyed, which is why species have become extinct. Be reminded that by cutting down a huge amount of trees, the greenhouse gases will increase, thus contributing to global warming. As the number of trees decreases, less carbon dioxide will be absorbed by the trees, thus resulting in more greenhouse gases. Remember that many species of plant that are not discovered yet could be cure for diseases like Aids. If there are no more trees one day, these products shall be gone too.

And this is why; we must contribute an effort to plant back more trees. With more trees and plants on Earth, The greenhouse effect will be lessened. Also, we will get more resources with more trees planted. More fruits, more wood and more flowers. With trees as their habitats, many species will not become extinct.

"Planting Trees" Campaign

What is the Billion Tree Campaign? Because of the fact that the number of trees has been reducing around the world, a new campaign was started by the United Nations, to start growing a billion (1 000 000 000) trees all around the world during 2007. Organizations and governments have been encouraged to begin planting as many trees as they can to reach the target. People who want to help out are to pledge that they will help to plant a certain number of trees in their country. Photos and “reflections” of those people who have participated are sent back to the organizers of the “Billion Trees” Campaign. In their website, there is even a record of how many trees have been planted. Until now, there are about 1.5 billion trees that have already been planted in the world currently (As of the statistics on 15 Dec 2007)! That means that the original target has already been achieved!

Other than this campaign, there are also many others around the world. One such campaign is “Tree Nation” in Niger. However, do you know that there are also festivals in the world that encourages us to plant more trees? An example is Arbor Day. During this day, people are encouraged to plant more trees. They are also taught how trees enrich and make the environment better. Trees are planted around the countries.

There are also many similar festivals in the world that promote the planting of trees. Examples are the “National Tree Planting Day” which is held every June 1 in Cambodia. These festivals plan and hope to educate us on the importance of trees and encourage people to care for the environment.