The Rural Environmental Empowerment Initiative (T.R.E.E. Initiative) has called on Nigerians to engage in tree planting as part of efforts to mitigate negative consequences of climate change occasioned by massive deforestation in the South and desertification in the North.
Executive director, Mr Sola Kolawole, made the call in a statement saying tree planting and the sustenance of the forests are directly connected to 13 different Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UN).
“In the course of our advocacy, we have discovered, and it will interest you to note, that majority of our people, including the elite class do not know the benefits of trees and forests. Apart from the elementary fact that the oxygen we breathe in as humans is produced largely by trees, many are not even aware that the food we eat is a product of the forest.
“Tree planting has direct connection to SDG 1 (No Poverty); SDG 2 (Zero Hunger); SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being); SDG 4 (Quality Education); SDG 5 (Gender Equality); SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation); SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy); SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities); SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); SDG 13 (Climate Action); SDG 14 (Life Below Water); SDG 15 (Life on Land) and of course SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals).
“Deforestation today is at the front burner of any climate change conversation or gathering. The World Bank at COP24 in Katowice, Poland made a commitment to protect an additional 120 million hectares of forests.
“As we approach the 2030 date, it is important that we all come together to save our planet for future generations,” he said.
He also revealed that his organisation has signed Signs Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) to promote and carry out collaborative activities.
“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is another milestone in our climate action advocacy journey. This is one practical demonstration of 17th Goal of the SDGs is “Partnership for the Goals.
“For countries in the Tropics, it is collaborations like this between sincere Community Based Initiatives and State Actors that can help solve the climate change debacle and facilitate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. This collaboration consummated between T.R.E.E. initiative and FRIN is not just about SDG 15 (Life on Land); it has a nexus with 12 of the entire 17 SDGs,” he said.
