Although there is no certainty about how many trees there are on the entire planet, a study published in 2015 by the journal Nature has been one of the few able to come up with a number: more than 3 million million million across the planet, of which 19 billion are in Chile. That is, there would be more than 1,000 trees for every Chilean inhabitant. It sounds like a lot, but it is still a long way off.
According to the United Nations, reforestation is one of the most effective - and, at the same time, most economical - measures to combat climate change. Trees not only absorb carbon dioxide from the environment and transform it into oxygen, but also prevent soil erosion and reduce the risk of flooding. What is being done in Chile in this regard? Here are 5 Chilean initiatives to promote reforestation:
1. "A Chilean, a tree":
The National Forestry Corporation initiated this tree planting program in 2010, which seeks to increase the number of trees in urban and peri-urban areas throughout Chile, especially in economically vulnerable sectors with less vegetation. To date, more than 19 million trees have been planted (a figure close to the Chilean population), mainly native species such as quillay, cypress and peumo. Under this program, the trees are delivered to municipalities and civil organizations, which are responsible for their care, with the aim of involving the community in the protection of nature.
2. Forest recovery and reforestation:
As part of Chile's commitments under the United Nations 2030 Agenda, the country has proposed to recover 200,000 hectares of native forests and manage them sustainably, in addition to planting another 200,000 hectares of new trees, a significant portion of which will be native species.
3. Buy a tree and help reforest:
The purpose of the Reforestemos Foundation is to recover native forests and create awareness among citizens about the importance of caring for nature. On their website any person or company from any country in the world can contribute to the reforestation of Chile's native forests by buying a tree, and the foundation is in charge of planting them. Some of the native species they work with are coihue, lenga, ñirre and quillay.
4. More and better parks for all:
Fundación Mi Parque seeks to improve the quality of life of people living in vulnerable neighborhoods through the creation of green areas in urban spaces such as squares and parks, as well as educational spaces such as kindergartens and schools. The projects are financed by companies, who are invited to participate in the construction of the green area together with the community, and are then handed over to the corresponding municipality for their care and maintenance.
5. Sponsor a tree:
Have you thought about adopting a native tree? At Cultiva you can do it! This corporation that seeks to create socio-environmental awareness and raise awareness about the effects of the climate crisis through the regeneration of native forests, allows people to donate trees to plant them in their name or that of a loved one, as a way of sowing life.
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