Growing Trees to Combat Local & Global Warming
India is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Even minor increases in temperature or decreases in rainfall can have devastating effects on agricultural productivity, as well as the frequency of floods, droughts, and other disasters. At the same time, forests throughout Tamil Nadu have either been neglected or systematically destroyed due to modernization and conversion into farmland.
One of the most effective methods to combat greenhouse gas emissions is tree planting, which improves carbon sequestration. A single tree can remove up to a ton of carbon from the atmosphere over its first 20 years. Recognizing this, India has launched a massive tree-planting campaign. On August 9, 2019, one million people in Uttar Pradesh planted 220 million trees in a single day. We are proud to be a part of this ongoing effort.
What We’re Doing to Help
In collaboration with the Department of Forestry, we have helped schoolchildren and farmers plant 1.3 million trees over the past 25 years. Recently, we launched a new tree-planting program in schools, aiming to familiarize students with various types of trees, their unique properties, and how they contribute to reducing carbon dioxide in the air.
For example, trees like thulasi and neem are known for their ability to purify air. Pungai and banyan trees help cool the environment, while palm trees store water. Moringa trees not only purify water but also provide shade for crops and deliver essential nutrients. Understanding both the immediate and long-term benefits of trees inspires children to nurture their plants diligently.
At the end of each school year, we teach students how to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide their trees have removed from the atmosphere.