Man battles climate change by planting 152 million trees over 10 years
There are some people who get through life without doing anything too remarkable. And then there are others – the heroes – who go out of their way to make an exceptional contribution to society.
In just a decade, Haïdar el Ali did something incredibly for the environment: he planted 152 million trees.
We all know of the impacts of deforestation on our planet. Climate change, soil erosion, loss of habitat for wildlife, flooding, and increased greenhouses gases are just a few of the problems we face. Luckily, men like Ali have been on a mission for quite some time. Their goal is simple: for every tree that is chopped down, they plant a new one.
Ali has been working to reforest a Senegalese Mangrove swamp since 2009. His project has been a work in progress, but has so far been one of the most successful reforestations to happen to this date.
When it comes to battling against climate change, it’s people like Ali who are truly making a difference in the world. You might not think that cutting down the trees in a small country in West Africa could impact the environment so dramatically, but it certainly can.
Africa is well-known known for its diverse wildlife and natural beauty. It’s packed full of exotic plants and animals, many of which we are still discovering to this day. It’s essential that we maintain this healthy environment to help nature to thrive.
By re-planting fallen trees, Ali and his team are single-handedly helping to support these species, while reducing carbon dioxide and even preventing natural disasters.
Now aged 67, Ali knows his stuff when it comes to his work. He’s previously worked as Minister of Ecology and Minister of Fisheries in Senegal. He’s currently a very important and popular environmentalist. Amazingly, despite his busy schedule, he also has time to lead Senegal’s Green Party.
For the past decade, Ali’s work has seen hundreds of men and women come together to plant more than 152 million mangrove trees in the Casamance Delta. This has made an immense difference to the environment, helping the forest to flourish once more.
Mangrove trees are essential to our plant’s ecosystem. They store a plentiful amount of carbon in their roots, which are submerged underwater. They really are quite clever – they can filter mud runoff before it reaches the see, and can even absorb the brunt of natural disasters like tsunamis. Of course, they also act as a shelter and food source for many species of animals.
Like in many areas around the world, the Casamance Delta was disrupted by human actions. New roads were built, and many trees were cut down for wood production. It was only when sea salt made its way into nearby rice farms, poisoning the crops, that people realized they had a real problem on their hands.
Ali was one of the people who stepped up to help.
Even aged 67, Ali shows no sign of stopping on his reforestation mission. He gets stuck into his job, wading through the murky waters and planting new buds. When he’s not busy replanting, Ali is speaking out about the cause, raising awareness in his home country.
Speaking about his exceptional work, Ali said: “I take a lot of satisfaction from this. I’m ready to do it every day, all evening, all my life.”
Ali is truly an inspiration to us all. Together, we can put a stop to climate change through little acts of our own, like taking public transport, recycling our materials in the correct way, and turning off appliances when we’re not using them. Every little helps!
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Source: Good News Network, Info Please, Panchamama