The whole wide world is trembling at the mention of climate change, a global challenge that has earned the attention of the entire humanity. The climate change the world is facing now started with people misusing the environment and not replenishing it by planting trees and cleaning up the lakes and atmosphere.
To avert the environmental damage done, the people of the world are being encouraged to plant very many trees, reduce the use of fossil fuels, and reduce the emission of carbon by large industries. A lot of efforts globally are underway.
Developing countries like Uganda have no choice but to take action even when they are the least emitters of carbon. But again, it is to their advantage because they are the most hit by climatic conditions. Climate change has affected agriculture in these countries and the extreme weather conditions are becoming inhabitable.
One such effort to green up the world has been rolled out by Eco Talk Africa, a Uganda non-government organization that is prioritizing planting trees at a family level. Recently, they started a pilot program that will see each family plant at least ten trees in the backyard.
Speaking to residents in Mukono where the ten trees per family program was piloted by giving out trees to different families, Moses Nimusiimah, the Eco Talk Africa executive director, said they are using the family as a starting point to wake up the entire country so that Ugandans can take tree planting seriously.
Nimusiimah said that with this project, they are giving out mainly fruit trees because of their nutritional value yet they still play a part in protecting the environment which is the main target. It is a catch, he said.
“We believe that with the promise of a nutritious fruit, people will be eager to plant these trees. We are also giving them two non-fruit trees – one to provide the family with a shade, and the other, a windbreaker. The reception is good, and we are happy,” Nimusiimah told News Today Uganda during the piloting exercise in Mukono district, central Uganda.
“Climate change is real and we must take action now. There is no better way to do it than starting at the family level. Family is the base of a community and we want family heads to teach children and those in their care the importance of planting trees,” Nimusiimah said.
He led a team of Eco Talk Africa officials to plant trees in Kizima village, Makukuba parish in Nakifuma sub-country, Mukono district. The team was joined by local council (village) leaders and residents to plant trees in different families.
The ten trees per family project will give out fruit trees like the mango tree, orange tree, jackfruit tree, guava tree, avocado tree, lime tree, lemon tree, and tangerine tree.
Lawrence Lukwago, the LC1 Chairperson of Kizima village, welcomed the idea and promised to see his residents embrace the project. You coming to this village and your commitment will inspire people to plant trees. I can see that you have brought fruit trees but we want all sorts of trees,” he said.
He revealed that while Kizima and Mukono at large were endowed with trees, people with motorized machines have cut down the trees and left the land bare and unproductive, especially for agriculture purposes.
Fred Mubiru, a resident of Nakifuma appreciated the initiative and acknowledged that trees as windbreakers help farmers. “I encourage people to plant trees to protect the environment and prevent our land from turning into a desert,” he said.
Yahaya Mabike, a resident of Kizima said the program by Eco Talk Africa is good and welcome to their village. “We are very appreciative. This responsibility of planting trees and preserving the environment will not only benefit us but also our children and their children.
We are thankful for this. I am going to be strict with the children to see that we groom these trees together. We should love what Eco Talk Africa has brought us,” he said upon receiving the ten trees.
Frank Mugisha, the Programs Manager of Eco Talk Africa noted that parents should plant these trees with their children and encourage the young ones to look after the trees. “Children should learn that planting trees is not a luxury but a responsibility,” Mugisha said, adding “The children should know that they will get fruits from these trees and a good environment.”
