Source: http://www.journalcr.com
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com
(Infocom) — Beginning last May 22, and for the second year in a row, Costa Rica kicked off the national campaign “A Que Sembras un Arbol” (Bet You Will Plant a Tree) — part of the Let’s Plant for the Planet initiative of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
Following the success of last year’s planting campaign — 5.9 million trees were planted then — this year’s effort seeks to promote reforestation and agroforestry ecosystems with the ultimate goal of curtailing climate change, preserve the country’s biodiversity, recuperate lost forest coverage, and improve the competitiveness of different sectors of the population to lead to better living conditions.
At the program’s kick-off ceremony, which was held at the Methodist School in Sabanilla de Montes de Oca, east of San Jose, organizers announced that this year’s goal is planting 7 million trees.
Environment Minister Roberto Dobles spoke about the importance of teamwork and collaboration between different institutions, as well as the need to get children and adolescents involved in playing a more active role in Costa Rica’s future.
That’s why the 2008 reforestation campaign includes a novel component: the student competition “Bet You Will Plant a Tree,” promoted by the Ministry of Education (MEP) with support from the teacher co-op COOPEANDE. As part of the contest, schools are encouraged to organize reforestation and education campaigns at their schools and communities. The best proposals will be awarded with the necessary funds to carry them out.
The overall tree-planting program is being organized by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy (MINAE) through an inter-institutional commission, which involves public and private entities that implement as part of their work forest-related activities, environmental protection initiatives and water and energy management.
Members of the commission include MINAE, the National Forestry Office (ONF, program coordinator), the National Conservation Areas System (SINAC), the Central Volcanic Cordillera Development Foundation (FUNDECOR), the National Forestry Financing Fund (FONAFIFO), MEP, the Costa Rican Chamber of Forestry (CCF), the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE), the National Power and Light Company (CNFL), and the Costa Rican Water and Sewer Institute (AyA).
Two-thousand and seven was a year of environmental urgency, when most of the world admitted global warming is a decisive issue in our time. The Let’s Plant for the Planet campaign symbolized the commitment of thousands of people around the world to preserve adequate climatic conditions and protect natural ecosystems.
Inspired by Prof. Wangari Maathai, who won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2004, the launching of Bet You Will Plant a Tree was well received here last year, with thousands of people propagating the initiative. And thanks to the support and enthusiasm of the forest products industry, government institutions, community organizations, businesses and many volunteers, 2007’s goal of planting 5 million trees was more than accomplished.
This year’s campaign to plant and take care of 7 million trees, again, will involve central and local governments, public institutions, the privates sector, NGOs and citizens.
