This month, donations to plant trees in Haiti won the vote, raising £99 to plant 126 trees in Haiti!
This contribution is incredibly important because deforestation in Haiti has been an alarming and persistent issue, with devastating consequences for both the environment and the people. Over the years, Haiti has experienced a significant loss of its forest cover, primarily due to unsustainable agricultural practices, population growth, and the demand for fuelwood. The consequences of deforestation in Haiti are far-reaching. It has led to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, increased vulnerability to natural disasters such as floods and landslides, and a decline in water quality. With your help through purchases of our labels, we will help to plant trees and restore nutrients to the soil, while teaching local farms how to use the land in both a responsible and profitable manner.
Since colonization, many forests have been wiped out for coffee plantations, timber exports, and charcoal. Over 70% of Haiti’s annual energy comes from wood-based fuel, which is incredibly toxic, as when wood is burned, one of the primary pollutants released is carbon dioxide (C02), a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
So why plant trees in Haiti?
Environmental Restoration: Trees play a crucial role in restoring and conserving the environment. They help combat soil erosion, improve water quality, and enhance biodiversity by providing habitats for various species. Reforestation efforts can help restore degraded landscapes, protect watersheds, and promote ecological balance.
Climate Change Mitigation: Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, helping to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. Afforestation and reforestation efforts can contribute to carbon sequestration, helping to offset emissions and combat global warming.
Soil Conservation: The roots of trees help stabilize the soil, preventing erosion caused by wind and water. This is particularly important in Haiti, where deforestation has led to significant soil degradation. By planting trees, the land can regain its fertility, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving food security.
Improved Water Management: Trees help regulate water cycles by intercepting rainfall, reducing runoff, and allowing water to infiltrate the soil. This can help replenish groundwater resources, mitigate the risk of floods and landslides, and provide a more reliable water supply for communities.
Economic Opportunities: Tree planting initiatives can generate economic opportunities for local communities. Sustainable forestry practices, such as agroforestry or tree farming, can provide a source of income through the sustainable harvesting of timber, non-timber forest products, or fruit-bearing trees. Additionally, reforestation projects can create employment opportunities and contribute to the development of eco-tourism.
Trees play a crucial role in mitigating climate change and reducing environmental degradation, which ultimately leads to a healthier and more stable ecosystem. This improved environment provides cleaner air and water, reducing the risk of diseases and improving overall health for children. Moreover, reforestation initiatives create job opportunities, empowering local communities and ensuring economic stability. By planting trees, Haiti can enhance agricultural productivity, securing food sources and combating malnutrition, thereby positively impacting children’s nutrition and development.
Explore the deforestation impact in Haiti on the Global Forest Watch
The Ocean Clean-up Project
This month lets summarise all of the hard work the Ocean Clean-up have been committing to these past few weeks. In total, we have raised £60 to contribute to cleaning up the oceans with their interceptors.
June 5th – Installation of the Interceptor Barricade, tackling waste flowing into the Caribbean Sea.
June 14th – Interceptor Barricade is operational, extracting over 850,000kg of rubbish in the last few weeks.
June 30th – System 002/C has been deployed at a total length of 1758m and has been collecting plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, totalling 21,143kg thus far.
Choose where we donate next by submitting your vote on our survey below!
https://us8.list-manage.com/survey?u=5718a071f0131cc53a8dd2ed8&id=121b2ecbce&attribution=false
