Amid the escalating climate-challenges and the ever looming threat posed by wanton deforestation to satisfy our human needs, Kenyans continue to be entreated to embrace tree-planting and forest conservation.
A number of initiatives have come up, pushing for adoption of a tree-planting culture among Kenyans, with an expectation to achieve the required 40 per cent of forest cover by 2032; which is a significant boost to the national forest cover currently standing at 8.8 per cent. This requirement is per Kenya’s Constitution of 2010, Article 69 (1) (b) which requires the country to have a minimum of 10 per cent forest cover. One such initiative driving tree-planting is the Green Africa Foundation, fronted by environmentalist, forestry champion and tree-planting enthusiast, Dr Isaac Kalua Green.
For many people across the country, September 14th mostly passes, perhaps, without notice; after all it, seemingly, is just any other normal day, without holidaying and fanfare. But as it goes, this should never be the case as September 14th of every year marks a day dedicated to the physical act and journey of planting and growing trees equivalent to one’s age. This date marks the ‘Plant Your Age’ Day, an occasion that gives each one across the country a chance to restore hope, inspire a new generation, replenish health and make the world a better place for all through planting trees. And Green Africa Foundation does just that, in a cause that results in intensified efforts in the fight against the adverse impacts of climate-change, and in turn improve the country’s economy through tree-planting.
This year’s main event in commemorating the ‘Plant Your Age’ Day was held at Arina Primary School in Ndhiwa Sub-county of Homa Bay County, where the little known Unga Village, played host to a series of tree-planting activities to mark the day. The event saw at least 1881 tree seedlings planted. While this number largely symbolized the newly elected Kenyan leaders; from the Members of the County Assembly, Members of National Assembly, Senators, Governors, Deputy President and the President, the tiny hamlet’s residents also engaged in planting additional trees equivalent to their ages.
The day was also marked across the country with individuals, corporates, school children and government institutions planting trees in a series of events spearheaded by the Green Africa Foundation and its partners. Dr Kalua, who presided the tree-planting exercise, while urging Kenyans to embrace and participate in this noble exercise, held that when you plant a tree, you give life to the living and make it worthwhile for you, your family and future generations. “The ‘Plant Your Age’ Campaign essentially seeks to enhance and unify tree growing across Kenya, Africa and globally. There are already numerous tree planting campaigns championed by different players and entities, but they are often time-bound and splintered, which makes it hard to track progress, survival and flourish of planted trees,” said Dr Kalua.
He indicated that ‘Plant Your Age’ campaign does not seek to replace or outshine any of the other tree-planting ventures, but rather to enhance and unify tree-growing at individual, corporate and national levels. It essentially complements other key environmental days like ‘World Environment Day’, the ‘International Day of Forests’ and ‘National Tree Planting Day. It only differs from these other activities because of its resounding call for people to take individual steps on growing of trees. “In essence, the higher the forest cover, the healthier the economy, the healthier the livelihood and more jobs created in a country. We are doing all it takes to ensure Kenya has the best tree cover,” Dr Kalua said as he called on all elected leaders and all citizens to embrace tree planting.
And while at it, ensure that those who plant and grow trees equivalent to their respective ages also replenish their health through healthy nutrition and regular workouts; replenish their relationships through deliberate acts like communicating better and travelling together leading to peace within communities; replenish their livelihoods by starting new entrepreneurships, growing existing enterprises and revamping careers; and replenish their spirituality through re-dedication to God.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data, noncommunicable diseases kill about 41 million people annually. This accounts for 71 per cent of all deaths globally. Among these are lifestyle diseases that can largely be prevented through proper nutrition and fitness. Yet natural landscapes, fresh vegetables and fruits are all key drivers of healthy bodies and minds. Trees play a key role in all these drivers since they provide fruits and underpin natural landscapes. Through agroforestry, they also protect the soil that nurtures vegetables and other crops.
“Every time you grow a tree, you are essentially investing not just in planetary health, but also human health. This September 14th, invest in your health by planting trees commensurate to your age. Let’s all grow trees and harvest health!” Dr Kalua said as he expressed concern over some 150 million trees cut annually for fuel provision among other needs, and proposed that Kenyans should plant at least 730 million trees annually to compensate for the loss. He noted that the ‘Plant your Age’ campaign provides an opportunity for national and county governments, corporates and individuals to inject innovation into tree-growing by ensuring long-term flourishing of these trees.
It also grants a platform for governments to expand the forest cover of gazzetted national forests by investing national resources into consistent tree-planting exercises within these forests, as well as unlocking multiple opportunities for Corporate Social Investment that will expand not just forests and woodlands, but also trees and better relationships. The backstory of the ‘Plant your Age’ campaign lies in an idea mooted by Dr Kalua when environment laureate, the late Prof. Wangari Maathai passed on. In her remembrance, Dr Kalua, initially urged Kenyans to plant 71 trees each to mark every year of her life and commemorate her efforts in sustainable development, democracy and peace.
Kenyans heeded this call and consequently established the “Wangari Maathai Green Corners” in various parts of the country. The first one was established by then Minister for Agriculture (current Kenya President) Dr William Ruto and other dignitaries at the University of Nairobi’s, Wangari Maathai Institute in Lower Kabete. This concept later evolved to today’s rallying call “Plant Your Age” Day. Today, it is a concept that is a global call to action for people to plant trees equivalent to their respective ages and ensure these trees grow to maturity. It is a personalized commitment to conserve the environment to ensure that wanton deforestation doesn’t result in increased loss of the most important commodity – water – which is a crucial factor. An abundance of trees is the primary prerequisite for water sufficiency!
The first ‘Plant Your Age’ Campaign was subsequently launched by Kenya’s third President, the Late Mwai Kibaki when he dedicated the Kibaki Green Corner -with 80 trees to commemorate his 80th birthday then- in Kitui during the National Tree Planting Day on April 30th, 2012. Thereafter, Kenyans have been planting and growing trees equivalent to their ages at their preferred places.
“Our premise is based on the concept of planting and growing trees that correspond to your age, whether that age is biological, product or anniversary related. For instance, during the anniversary of a given corporate’s founding, all staff members can plant trees corresponding to the corporate age in question or number of products they handle. When trees are planted, they are in essence ‘born’ and must be nurtured to full maturity. This is a critical component of the ‘Plant your Age’ campaign. The campaign is not limited by time, geography or sector but is flexible to the needs and capabilities of individuals and entities,” Dr Kalua said.
