It is no secret that Uganda is grappling with the adverse effects of climate change that have amongst others, manifested in the forms of drought, floods and changes in weather patterns depending on the region that one originates from. For those that are both touched and moved by such calamities, these should essentially be wake up calls for all Ugandans to be at the forefront of a green revolution in the second half of 2024 aimed at securing a sustainable future for generations to come.
Usually when environmental conservation conversations are initiated, most stakeholders think of the “go big” approach like planting 10,000 trees at once or even an entire forest! Much as this approach actually works, not everyone may have the capacity and resources to single-handedly plant 10,000 trees in Uganda this year. So, what if we decided to go small? As part of the resolutions for the remainder of the year, each Ugandan could make a commitment to plant a single tree.
With the approximately 40 million Ugandans, if this commitment is made, we could be adding a minimum of 40 million trees to Uganda’s forest cover in 2024! This would go a long way in restoring the country’s lost forest cover considering that Uganda’s forest cover has been on the declining trend in the past two decades. According to Global Forest Watch, between 2000 and 2020, Uganda lost over 23% of its tree cover in both natural and planted forests. In addition, Uganda's greenhouse gas emissions averaged 20.8 metric tons annually, this is equivalent to 438 metric tons of carbon dioxide emitted in the same period.
This one tree initiative would enable Uganda to reap innumerable benefits besides restoring the forest cover. Trees are akin to nature’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”, they beautify the environmental landscape and also help to reduce on the carbon footprint. Additionally, they act as habitats for wild animals and can even be used for medicinal purposes amongst others. These are the moments for which former American President J.F Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country?”
The threats posed by climate change are no longer distant, they are at our doorsteps yet, planting trees is a powerful step that can be taken to address these threats as a means of baling the waters when they are still ankle deep. This is an opportunity for Ugandans to both exercise environmental responsibility and make a positive impact towards mitigating global warming and other vile disasters associated with environmental degradation and climate change.
Additionally, options for mapping and tracking of these trees should as well be explored to ensure that there is availability of a database nationally on ecosystem restoration efforts especially, pertaining to trees. To pull this off, it would, however, require concerted effort from government agencies, non-profit organizations as well as the private sector. Each Ugandan should also be committed to fulfilling this cause in all truth and honesty-without the need to be coerced.
When this responsibility is shared by all stakeholders, the little efforts will matter in the end. After all, an anonymous scholar once envisioned that, “Every contribution we make on earth is like a drop of water in the ocean but if it were not for that drop, then the ocean probably would not be full of water.”
It is high time that we stopped sitting on our laurels as Ugandans especially with regards to environmental issues. It is possible to have a green Uganda. Small as it seems, planting a single tree is the cornerstone for a national movement aimed at building a healthier and more resilient environment for Uganda today, tomorrow and for generations to come. Take that bold step today and plant a tree somewhere-it could be at home, school, at your work place or anywhere in your community. Your tree counts to the 40 million target!
