BY MENGESHA AMARE
Ethiopians from every nook and cranny of their territory have relentlessly planting tree seedlings following the green legacy initiative commenced by Prime minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed under the theme, “Let’s Adorn Ethiopia.’
The world over has drawn pivotal lessons from these civic-minded and far-sighted citizenry as the latter planted millions of billions of trees while they were electing their representatives on June 21st, 2021. The importance of planting trees has now been well inculcated in the minds of all Ethiopians and they are firmly capitalizing on this sacred move.
Not only is planting trees indispensable in making environments green and suitable for living and working but it is also instrumental in keeping the balance of nature thereby contributing a lot to the global effort towards combating the severe repercussions of global warming.
Trees have given human beings life essential gifts such as food and oxygen since the very beginning. Many generations passed and discovered other many uses of trees as well as exploiting them for survival. Simply, the shades they possess have been used to escape heat and fire to escape in cold.
As Ethiopians made history in making their election peaceful, democratic and free from any chaos and turmoil, they are committed to cover their country green. Even the government has finalized preparations to sell a billion tree seedlings to neighboring countries. This trend could hardly been seen as a trivial initiative as it helps the nation hit dual targets.
The first one is Ethiopia can portray its willingness and good will to do all its best in expanding green legacy to the Horn and the continent in particular and to the rest of the world in general. Second, the very step Ethiopia is trekking has vividly been exhibiting country’s commitment to well expand regional environmental integration and spirit of working for common agendum. Yes, planting tree seedlings and nurturing nursery to get them grow to big trees does have numerous advantages.
If people, for instance, surrounded by a huge variety of different types of trees, they can easily cultivate health using pure oxygen. Apart from being pretty and wonderful to look at, their importance stems far beyond beauty. The value and purpose of trees is quite immense, and their existence is vital for human survival.
Undoubtedly, untold benefits can be garnered from trees. To mention but a few, they help combat global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide, removing and storing carbon while releasing oxygen back into the air.
In this regard, this writer approached Misganaw Derrese, an environmental studies graduate at Dilla University to reflect his view. He said, “We all have to nurture nature as it is the very source of the foodstuffs we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the climate that makes our planet habitable.”
He further stated that trees have come up with innumerable advantages. For instance, they reduce wind speeds and cool the air as they lose moisture and reflect heat upwards from their leaves. They also help people prevent flooding and soil erosion by absorbing huge amount of storm water. Therefore, trees can manage and influence wind speed and direction in order to maintain a balanced atmosphere.
“People must understand the importance of planting trees and how it helps our environment in so many ways. Trees are often associated with feeling pleasant, calm, and relaxed. They also provide living things with food, protection, and homes for many birds and mammals,” he added.
No one denies the fact that trees can act as a landmark within a neighborhood and encourage pride amongst people within that community via bringing people together. Besides, humans, animals and the environment depend upon trees for survival, and planting more trees contributes to global reforestation efforts, restoring lost forests, repairing damaged ecosystems and mitigating climate changes.
Hence, he said, the issue of keeping environment green via covering it with trees should not left only to some bodies like environmental protection ministries, authorities, bureaux, or whatever you name it, rather it requires the amalgamated effort of all as the presence of trees and forests is a matter of life and death.
“The government, businesses, celebrities, investors, the public at large have to exert utmost effort for successfully combating the world pressing environmental issue—desertification resulted from deforestation and land degradation. Ethiopia’s initiation along this line has to be granted with absolute recognition and all nations of the planet have to follow its footsteps,” he said.
Another interviewee whom this reporter talked to was Elizabeth Mea’sho, a health officer at Akaki Kality Subcity. She said that let alone plating trees to cover their country with green blanket, Ethiopians civility in making the election, which was thought to be full of turbulence, peaceful, safe and fair is sufficient by itself.
She said, “Providing neighboring countries with billions of tree seedlings is a miracle too, which really came from fertile minds to entertain the spirit of growing together. In addition to creating a healthy environment and catchy scenario, trees provide many species of wildlife with a canopy and a habitat. They do not just act as a home for wildlife as their fruits provide food for them, too.”
According to Elizabeth, trees help improve air quality by intercepting and trapping dust and other pollutants from the air. Their shade also provides a useful barrier to harmful ultra-violet radiation from the sun. Not only does planting tree seedling benefit physical health, but it is also instrumental in buttressing mental wellbeing.
As to her, cognizant of the fact that trees bring natural elements and wildlife habitats into the urban settlements and make them worth living, the Ethiopian government has capitalized on tree plantation. The shade provided by trees during the day is used by all for family picnics and afternoon outdoor activities. The presence of trees in a community can definitely elevate the importance of planting trees and the quality of life. This fact is being really made in Addis Ababa—Africa’s Capital. Many trees stand strong as the community’s pride and serve as historic landmarks. The commercial buildings and pavements cause heat and the presence of trees can deflect the sunlight and reduce heat.
“The move Ethiopia has entertained these days can be well expanded into nations of the Horn and the whole continent in particular and to the rest of the world in general as it pays the way to rescue the planet. In addition to learning tree planting skills, communities must learn about all aspects of tree maintenance and care to get nurseries prolific ones,” Elizabeth opined.
In sum, anyone of any age or background can get involved in planting tree seedlings. These days are not just an opportunity for people to learn about trees, but also enable people to make a connection with their local community and gain practical, proactive experience of tree planting and maintenance.
The aforesaid initiative attracts government offices, ministries, communities, businesses, stakeholders and the public at large to voluntarily contribute to the effort geared towards revamping green legacy. It offers volunteer opportunities and provides an educational experience along with the opportunity to do something positive in a bid to come up with green, appealing, and friendly environment whereby to the national, regional as well as global green objective is met.
The Ethiopian Herald July 17/2021
