Pakistan’s government has pledged to plant 10 billion trees in the next five years in an effort to combat the effects of climate change.
The initiative carries forward from the “Billion Tree Tsunami” project, which has already planted a staggering one billion trees in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, restoring 350,000 acres of depleted forest. The project was spearheaded by former cricket legend turned politician Imran Khan, who recently became Pakistan’s new prime minister.
This ambitious project comes with very good reason: Pakistan is rated as the seventh most vulnerable country to long-term climate change, according to the Long-Term Climate Risk Index. In spite of emitting less than one percent of the world’s greenhouse gases, the country is feeling the brunt of global warming.
In the last 20 years, Pakistan has suffered from a massive amount of climate-related disasters; it is estimated that around 523 people die in the country every year due to the effects of climate change. 141 extreme weather events were recorded over two decades, including a huge flood in 2010 that killed 1600 people and cost the country $10 billion. In 2015, a heatwave in Karachi killed over 1200 people, while this year has seen record-breaking high temperatures and further heatwaves.
Pakistan is also home to 7200 glaciers, which sustain the river systems throughout the country. Most of them are melting, which will see an increase in flooding as well as damage to essential agricultural and support systems. Water scarcity will become more of an issue as freshwater turns into seawater.
Although fighting climate change is a global issue, the government of Pakistan is doing what they can to minimize the deadly effects. Currently, Pakistan has only around 2.2 percent of total forest cover. Planting 10 billion trees may reduce the impacts of climate change in the country by reducing erosion and holding river banks together, as well as curbing temperature spikes in some areas.
What’s New…
I have never had respect for Pakistan, seeing it was a terrorist country. But, after this. my respect for them has increased. I applaud you, Pakistan. Bravo, Pakistan! Now, India, Brazil, U.S., etc should follow suit.
It is wonderful that this country is doing what it can to help restore it’s forests. IF ONLY every country would do this, the US most of all then there might be a chance that the big blue marble we all live on will continue to survive for another few years.
Fantastic!!!! WTG Pakistan! OK now for every other country in the world.
Wonderful and Thank You !
Thank you, Pakistan!
Fantastic news!
well it sure shows some countries are doing a good thing for the world as Brazil is destroying their rain forrest maybe more nations can create rain forests, California is an state that could redevelop the Redwoods in Northern California and help our eco system and our rain forest regrow!
“Brazil is destroying their rainforests”. ???? Brazil or certain corporations (not Brazilian” are destroying their rainforests is more accurate
I agree. It’s the corporations that are pilfering the natural resources and razing our lands although I am sure Brazilian politicians are lining their pockets. So let’s stand up and give huge round of applause for Judge Scalia and his merry band of thieves. You do know that they are now investing in buying up water resources–which is the scariest scenario of all.
We are just lucky they have not burned down. How can they replant and flourish when wildfires are burning through California with Oregon and Washington in tow because the drought (ahem…caused by global warming) has left them high and dry.
You’d think the US would be a leader in the combat against climate change, but instead our government is doing everything in its power to do just the opposite. In fact, our scientists have been silenced and denigrated, and all regulations protecting the citizens have been obliterated. I am ashamed of this country and saddened for the future generation who will inherit this mess–a mess for which there is no cleanup. It is already past the point of no return, so let’s burn some more coal!
A great idea. Should be done everywhere.
amazing
EVERY COUNTRY KINDLY DO SAME AND PLANT BILLIONS OF TREES.
Well done to Pakistan. Let’s hope all countries follow them rather than keep cutting them down.
GREAT IDEA — we MUST all emulate Pakistan — THANK YOU.
That;s great! We need to save our planet!
And prosecute those that are cruel to them.
This is good. They also need to do something about there animals being
abused as well.
Bravo Pakistan
Wonderful news! Wish more countries would do this!
Yes!!!!!! Thank you.
Fantastic! Thank you for being a leader in this tremendous endeavor. I wish you the greatest success.
I think this is amazing, thank you for helping our world.
This should be happening everywhere, trees are important to our earth
Wonderful! Congrulations, Pakistan. The USA’s current administration would do better to adopt such policies, and to once again, treasure our natural world.
I agree. Check out: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/how-trump-is-changing-science-environment/
AWESOME for the number of trees pledged to plant. I hope and pray this will help reducing death and the climate
Wow, what a great goal to start achieving!
I wish them the best.