On September 25th 2015, countries in the United Nations adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years. We designed this page to demonstrate that Planting Trees and Growing Forests serves as a unique and innovative strategy to achieve each of the 17 sustainable development goals. When you get people to grow trees with our tree kits and pant matching trees in developing countries you are helping us transform our world for the better.
Trees create economic opportunities. Fruit harvested from orchards can provide community members with a stable income. Conservation and reforestation projects can boost local economies while empowering individuals.
Trees provide nutritious foods, including fruits and nuts. Trees can provide food not only to rural communities, but also help solve problems of urban hunger and food insecurity.
Trees contribute to our health and well-being in a number of ways. They absorb odors and pollutant gases and can reduce rates of asthma due to improved air quality. Studies have found that trees reduce stress and obesity rates, and can even help us heal from illnesses faster.
There is a direct correlation with hunger and gender inequalities. Empowering women to gain access to food, be providers, and lead their families has had a major impact on food access and ability to change financial situations. Involving women in tree-planting can thus empower them to support themselves and their families.
Several case studies have found that tree planting projects boost economic growth. Urban forestry and urban wood reuse programs can support the local economy and create jobs.
Trees create economic opportunities. Fruit harvested from orchards can provide community members with a stable income. Conservation and reforestation projects can boost local economies while empowering individuals.
Research shows that wealthier neighborhoods have more tree coverage than poorer neighborhoods. It’s not necessarily that trees can reduce income inequality, but they can certainly raise people’s quality of life. Planting trees in poorer neighborhoods could play a role in reducing inequalities
Trees conserve energy by cutting need for energy for cooling homes. Three trees placed strategically around a single-family home can cut summer air conditioning needs by up to 50 percent. Trees are also an integral part of production agriculture as they improve crop yields and preserve topsoil for future abundant harvests.
Trees help mitigate climate change by storing carbon and releasing oxygen into the air. They filter and clean the air we breathe and help prevent water pollution.
Trees reduce runoff by breaking rainfall thus allowing the water to flow down the trunk and into the earth below the tree. This prevents stormwater from carrying pollutants to the ocean, and harming fish, turtles, and other aquatic animals.
Trees provide a canopy and habitat for wildlife. They also provide shade and cool communities and environments. Trees shield us from UV rays and help keep us safe.
Trees tend to be negatively correlated with violence; more barren neighborhoods are shown to have higher rates of violence. Organizations like ForestNation & Plant for Peace use tree plantings as a way to create a better tomorrow. They bring people together by planting trees in developing countries and post-conflict territories around the world.
