TREES are an important component of the environment which we all live in. Trees give off oxygen, which we all need to breathe.
They reduce the amount of storm water run-off, which decreases erosion and pollution in our waterways, and may reduce the effects of flooding.
Many species of wildlife depend on trees for habitat. Trees provide food, protection, and homes for many birds and mammals.
When you step outside your home, you will not be far from a tree; unless you live in a desert, of course. From pine and oak, to willow and ash, we are surrounded by a huge variety of trees.
And while trees are all pretty and wonderful to look at, their importance stems far beyond beauty. The value and purpose of trees is enormous; and their existence is vital for human survival.
Unfortunately, there are many people in Zambia who have made indiscriminate cutting down of trees a preoccupation. Often, such people do so for survival, mostly through production of charcoal in rural areas for sale in urban dwelling places.
Also, industrial activities such as excavation of minerals harm trees through air and water pollution caused by effluent from mine smelters.
Regrettably, these are unavoidable activities because they significantly contribute to our country’s economic development through government revenues from mineral royalties and taxes.
The export of minerals such as copper is one of the main foreign exchange earners for Zambia, which immensely contributes to the gross domestic product (GDP).
But since mining and other industrial undertakings, including direct deforestation through felling trees indiscriminately for charcoal production as a means of survival, seem difficult to prevent, the solution lies in mass reforestation.
It is on this premise that we commend Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) for embarking on an ambitious programme of planting trees.
CEC, the supplier of electricity to the mines in Zambia, targets to plant around one million trees by 2025.
So far, the energy company has planted over 300,000 trees in water catchment areas to conserve biodiversity, according to company chief executive officer Owen Silavwe.
“We are emphasising the importance of upholding commitments to the Paris Agreement, which sets the goal of keeping the anticipated global average temperature increase well below 2°C, above pre-industrial levels,” Mr Silavwe stated.
Undoubtedly, CEC is doing a praiseworthy job and we urge other corporate organisations and nongovernment organisations to equally embark on similar programmes of planting trees in various parts of the country.
We are aware that there are some corporate organisations that have already started implementing reforestation programmes in Zambia, but we urge many more others to join the reforestation crusade.
This is important because trees help combat global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide, removing and storing carbon while releasing oxygen back into the air.
Trees also reduce wind speeds and cool the air as they lose moisture and reflect heat upwards from their leaves.
It is estimated that trees can reduce the temperature in a city by up to 7°C.
Other environmental benefits include the fact that trees help prevent flooding and soil erosion by absorbing thousands of litres of storm water.
Let’s reforest our country
TREES are an important component of the environment which we all live in. Trees give off oxygen, which we all need to breathe.
They reduce the amount of storm water run-off, which decreases erosion and pollution in our waterways, and may reduce the effects of flooding.
Many species of wildlife depend on trees for habitat. Trees provide food, protection, and homes for many birds and mammals.
When you step outside your home, you will not be far from a tree; unless you live in a desert, of course. From pine and oak, to willow and ash, we are surrounded by a huge variety of trees.
And while trees are all pretty and wonderful to look at, their importance stems far beyond beauty. The value and purpose of trees is enormous; and their existence is vital for human survival.
Unfortunately, there are many people in Zambia who have made indiscriminate cutting down of trees a preoccupation. Often, such people do so for survival, mostly through production of charcoal in rural areas for sale in urban dwelling places.
Also, industrial activities such as excavation of minerals harm trees through air and water pollution caused by effluent from mine smelters.
Regrettably, these are unavoidable activities because they significantly contribute to our country’s economic development through government revenues from mineral royalties and taxes.
The export of minerals such as copper is one of the main foreign exchange earners for Zambia, which immensely contributes to the gross domestic product (GDP).
But since mining and other industrial undertakings, including direct deforestation through felling trees indiscriminately for charcoal production as a means of survival, seem difficult to prevent, the solution lies in mass reforestation.
It is on this premise that we commend Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) for embarking on an ambitious programme of planting trees.
CEC, the supplier of electricity to the mines in Zambia, targets to plant around one million trees by 2025.
So far, the energy company has planted over 300,000 trees in water catchment areas to conserve biodiversity, according to company chief executive officer Owen Silavwe.
“We are emphasising the importance of upholding commitments to the Paris Agreement, which sets the goal of keeping the anticipated global average temperature increase well below 2°C, above pre-industrial levels,” Mr Silavwe stated.
Undoubtedly, CEC is doing a praiseworthy job and we urge other corporate organisations and nongovernment organisations to equally embark on similar programmes of planting trees in various parts of the country.
We are aware that there are some corporate organisations that have already started implementing reforestation programmes in Zambia, but we urge many more others to join the reforestation crusade.
This is important because trees help combat global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide, removing and storing carbon while releasing oxygen back into the air.
Trees also reduce wind speeds and cool the air as they lose moisture and reflect heat upwards from their leaves.
It is estimated that trees can reduce the temperature in a city by up to 7°C.
Other environmental benefits include the fact that trees help prevent flooding and soil erosion by absorbing thousands of litres of storm water.