100m trees to be planted to mitigate climate change

Mercy Ngwebvu
THE rate of deforestation as a result of farmers cutting down trees for tobacco curing has led Climate Smart Trust to embark on a project to plant 100 million trees around the country by 2018.Climate Smart Trust chairman, Mr Didymus Machiri, said the rate of re-afforestation in the country was lagging far behind that of deforestation.

“People especially tobacco farmers are cutting down more trees than they are planting and this is not good considering the issue of environment degradation and of course the rising phenomenon of climate change.

“If anything, trees play a pivotal role inasfar as the world’s well being is concerned,”

“According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), there are 120 000 registered tobacco farmers. If 100 000 of these plant 1 000 trees each, the target will be achieved with very little effort.

“I am also confident that we can do it because we have already planted 10 400 trees in Bindura and we did this on a single day. Manicaland Province is next in line,” said Machiri.

He went on to applaud the inception of the Environment, Water and Climate Ministry, saying Government is committed to mitigating climate change and should be supported by every Zimbabwean.

“It is everyone’s duty to protect the environment, as well as play a part in climate change mitigation.  The newly incepted climate change division in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate shows Government’s commitment and its vision should be supported.

“The country is currently holding the Africa Union chairmanship, therefore let us help his Excellency, President Mugabe in celebrating his post by planting 100 million trees,” he said.

Climate change mitigation refers to efforts to reduce or prevent emission of greenhouse gases.

It may mean using new technologies and renewable energies, making older equipment more energy efficient, or changing management practices or consumer behaviour.

Climate smart agriculture remains an important strategy in mitigating climate change and its negative impacts.