Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Since 1990, extreme poverty rates have decreased by over 50%. While this is a remarkable achievement, there is still a lot of work to accomplish. One in five people in developing regions still live on less than $1.90 a day, and millions of people who earn little more than that daily amount are constantly at risk of slipping back down into poverty. Poverty means so much more than economic hardship; its manifestations include hunger, malnutrition, limited access to education, social discrimination, and exclusion. Economic growth is essential to providing sustainable jobs and promote equality.

How Trees Can Help

Trees have a tremendous potential in terms of creating economic opportunities and reducing poverty. Reforestation can directly benefit local economies. Individuals will not only feel empowered by protecting their environment, but they can also sell or trade food and other products that come from the land they protect. Conservation projects, such as The Gibbon Experience in Laos, attract sustainable tourism and provide jobs for hundreds of locals.

Communities can also achieve economic development by harvesting fruit from orchards and selling it for a steady income. Developing small businesses related to green waste management and landscaping is yet another possibility for reducing poverty. The presence of trees can also boost a community’s economic opportunities. Studies show that the amount of trees a business district has is positively correlated to the amount of business traffic.

To read more about the Sustainable Development Goals, visit the United Nations website.