SPOTLIGHT : JANE GOODALL
Though the call to action is immediate , the results will be a legacy that Goodall dreams of . “ If we plant now ,” Dr . Goodall said in an interview with People magazine , “ the hope is that in 20 years , all these trees will be growing because of Trees for Jane .”
Innovation connected with Dr . Goodall about her new mission and why there is not a moment to spare in joining her in her efforts .
Why are trees and forests so vital for protecting our world ? Protecting and restoring forests is one of the most effective ways to reduce the most severe negative effects of climate change . No technology is more effective than trees and forests when it comes to absorbing carbon dioxide , preventing water loss and erosion , and maintaining resilient biodiverse ecosystems that benefit people , animals , and the climate . It buys us a little more time as we push to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy and implement other beneficial changes to solve the climate crisis .
You must have seen an incredible variety of trees in your life . Do you have a favorite ? I do not have a favorite type of tree . There are individual trees that I specially love — my own beech , of course , my childhood friend .
But I love the gnarled and ancient trees , giant forest trees , very old trees that have been protected in cities , benevolently providing shade and roosting sites for birds .
A trillion trees — it is hard to imagine how many that is . Can you help us understand what that would look like and what it means to reversing climate change ? A trillion trees is an approximate number that reflects the magnitude of the problem and the scope of the solution . Where once our planet was home to six trillion trees , only three trillion remain . And half of that loss has just occurred in only the past 100 years — barely the blink of an eye considering the millions of years it took to create Earth ’ s biodiverse landscapes . Trees for Jane serves as a call to action for everyone , everywhere around the world , to help plant and protect a trillion trees over the course of this decade . A daunting task , but one that must be done .
How crucial is it that companies like HP and others join in this effort ? Initiatives such as Trees for Jane need corporations to help make real change . Grassroots efforts can be very successful , but companies really help . Combined , it can be a game changer ! We want to offer our heartfelt thanks to Enrique Lores , CEO of HP Inc ., and the HP company for their generous support of Trees for Jane . Not only do initiatives like Trees for Jane rely on their financial support , they need their help inspiring their networks and communities to take action , allowing them to reach far greater audiences .
We respect HP ’ s longstanding commitment to climate action and conservation of forests .
Can you share a personal experience of witnessing successful forest restoration ? Can previously devastated areas come back to life and thrive ? When I arrived [ in Tanzania ] to start my study of chimpanzees in 1960 , Gombe National Park was part of the great equatorial forest belt that stretched to the west coast . When I looked down from a small plane in the late 1980s , I was horrified to see the park was an island of forest surrounded by bare hills — the only trees remaining were in the steepest ravines . Local communities had cut down the trees in their desperate effort to find land for growing food or to make money from timber or charcoal . It hit me then that unless we could help the local communities to find ways of making a living without destroying their environment , we could not save chimpanzees or anything else . In 1994 the Jane Goodall Institute instigated a community-led holistic program that included restoring fertility to overused farmland ; providing microcredit opportunities for people to start their own small , environmentally sustainable businesses ; and improved health facilities and family planning information . What began in 12 villages is now operating in 104 throughout the range of chimpanzees in Tanzania . The people understand that protecting the forest is for their own future , not just for wildlife , and they have become our partners in conservation . If you fly over
“ Where once our planet was home to six trillion trees , only three trillion remain . And half of that loss has just occurred in only the past 100 years — barely the blink of an eye .”
Gombe today , you will no longer see bare hills . Trees have returned .
What can we do on an individual level to support this effort ? We encourage everyone to visit
TreesforJane . org to learn ways to support the protection and restoration of trees and forests . Donations of every level truly help those on the ground who are doing the hard work ! The website also offers the option to plant your own tree or trees . Beyond helping the environment , inspiring people to care for trees is incredibly important to our personal health , especially in urban areas where trees clean the air while bringing beauty , joy , shade , and so many other benefits .
Visit
TreesforJane . org today to join Dr . Goodall in her urgent mission to plant and protect trees .
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