The government has set in motion a plan to plant more than 36 million trees to build resilience to climate change. This is part of the government's agenda to invest $92 million in development of Agroforestry and Sustainable Agriculture by 2030. Trees are an essential part of the environment, even in urban ecosystems. They provide oxygen, improve air quality, produce food, conserve water, preserve soil and support wildlife. They deflect sunlight, reducing the heating effect caused by pavement and buildings. And they’re aesthetically pleasing, adding value to our streets, playgrounds and backyards. By the end of 1994, forests had been eliminated from 78 percent of the country and were decreasing at a rate of 7 percent per year, according to the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the United Nations. The Government knew that without trees, the country could never fully rebuild itself, so it reversed this trend, planting millions each year. From 2015 to 2016, the Rwandan government planted 32 million seedlings, which is equivalent to the reforestation of 15,000 hectares. Today, 30.4 percent of Rwanda’s surface area is covered by forests. This is an impressive achievement but not exhaustive as many reports have shown that climate change is a threat to the wellbeing of not only Rwanda but the globe too. Therefore the government’s plan should not only be backed by the private sector but everyone needs to play a part in this important initiative and this should not only be limited to special campaigns by the Ministry of Environment or its affiliated organisations but a deliberate pledge by all Rwandans.
