Join Zambia’s reforestation crusade

LIKE other countries, Zambia has not been spared by the devastating effects of climate change, characterised by unpredictable weather patterns manifesting in floods, droughts and scorching temperatures.
Over the past years, the country has been experiencing floods which leave thousands of people displaced as their homes and crops are destroyed by torrential rainfall.
While this happens in certain parts of the country, other regions face intermittent rainfall and, in some instances, severe droughts which afflict crop production resulting in hunger among affected people.
Although climate change is hugely as a result of industrial effluent from the developed world, developing countries have equally been contributing to global warming through deforestation.
In Zambia, people indiscriminately cut down trees for economic benefits such as timber harvesting for commercial purposes such as furniture manufacturing and construction, as well as for production of charcoal.
These goings-on have had a severe impact on the environment in form of land degradation and silting of water bodies, among others.
The solution to the adverse effects of climate change chiefly lies in environmental conservation through undertakings like mass reforestation.
It is the reason we find it praiseworthy that Zanaco Bank has partnered with Worldview Institute and Bridging Gap Solutions in efforts to help conserve the environment in Zambia.
The two organisations intend to plant 1,200 trees in Lusaka National Park as one way to help conserve the environment and reduce land degradation.
This gesture has elated Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu, who has encouraged every patriotic citizen to endeavour to plant trees in their corporate and personal capacities.
As for Zanaco, its partnership with Worldview Institute and Bridging Gap Solutions in reforestation efforts is besides the financial institution’s commitment to plant one million trees in different parts of Zambia by 2025.
We commend Zanaco and Worldview Institute and Bridging Gap Solutions for coming on board to complement the efforts of Government to reforest the country for a sustainable future.
Planting trees to conserve the environment is an important mission in that it entails preserving our natural ecosystems.
By preserving natural ecosystems, reducing pollution, adopting sustainable practices, and promoting awareness, we can ensure a delicate balance of our environment.
Each individual’s actions, no matter how small, contribute to the collective effort of safeguarding our planet’s beauty, resources, and diversity.
It is a responsibility of every citizen and corporate organisation to join collective efforts to continue planting trees because this is crucial to preserving the environment.
Trees help clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, and provide habitat to over 80 percent of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity.
Forests provide jobs for people, absorb harmful carbonfrom the atmosphere, and are key ingredients in 25 percent of all medicines, including aspirin, which comes from the bark of a tree.
Planting trees guarantees our lives in that humans, animals and the environment all depend upon trees for survival.
Therefore, as deforestation continues, we must put back what we are taking away.
When we plant more trees, we will contribute to reforestation efforts, restoring the lost forests, repairing damaged ecosystems, and mitigating the effects of climate change.