{"id":8314,"date":"2024-11-13T09:42:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T00:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/?p=8314"},"modified":"2024-11-09T21:52:17","modified_gmt":"2024-11-09T12:52:17","slug":"tanzanian-students-drive-climate-action-through-tree-planting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/sdgs-2\/tanzanian-students-drive-climate-action-through-tree-planting\/","title":{"rendered":"Tanzanian Students Drive Climate Action Through Tree Planting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Kizito Makoye<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MUSOMA, Tanzania (IPS) <\/strong>\u2013 At Gabimori primary school, located at Nyamagaro ward in Tanzania\u2019s northern Rorya district, a 15-year-old  Florence Sadiki kneels among polyethylene bags, carefully examining the seedlings she and her classmates  have nurtured from tiny sprouts \u201cWe\u2019ve planted many trees to make our school look better and to help fight climate change,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sadiki is part of an inspiring grassroots movement in the east African country where students, teachers, and community members team up to fight environmental degradation through reforestation. In Rorya district, nestled on the shores of Lake Victoria, rampant deforestation driven by charcoal production has left the land barren. But the efforts of school environmental clubs, supported by the Lake Community Program (LACOP), are working to repair the damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reality in Rorya is grim. Erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts have changed swathes of once-fertile land into dry savannas, a trend that has only accelerated since the initiative began in 2022. Spearheaded by the global charity World Neighbors<\/a> and the Lake Community Development Foundation (LACODEFO)<\/a>, this initiative empowers students to plant trees and learn the entire process of growing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Daudi Lyamuru speaks during a village meeting to mobilize the community to plant trees and support the climate mitigation project. Credit: Kizito Makoye\/IPS<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Pupils at Mwenge primary school pose for a photo after tree planting exercise. Credit: Kizito Makoye\/IPS<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re teaching students to set up their own nurseries,\u201d says Idrisa Lema, the project officer. \u201cIt\u2019s not enough to hand out seedlings. They need to learn the whole process\u2014choosing drought-resistant species, improving soil with organic manure, and using techniques like mulching.\u201d This holistic approach  promotes sustainability and equips students with transferable skills that can help them for the rest of their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past two years, the students have successfully planted 2,800 trees across five villages, a remarkable achievement that has already begun to bear fruit. Some once-dry water springs are starting to flow again. Yet challenges remain, particularly in Nyamagaro and neighboring Kyangasaga villages, where erratic rainfall and drought continue to hinder progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWatering the trees is tough,\u201d admits Alex Lwitiko, an environmental teacher at Rorya Girls\u2019 School. \u201cWe\u2019ve had to be strict with the students\u2014otherwise, the trees wouldn\u2019t survive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To adapt, students have switched to innovative solutions like bottle irrigation and even drilled water wells to support their young trees. \u201cWe focus on drought-resistant species and organic farming methods to give the trees the best chance,\u201d Lwitiko says, emphasizing the program\u2019s commitment to teaching sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sadiki herself has learned to adapt. \u201cI know how to graft trees and grow them in tough conditions now,\u201d she says. \u201cThese trees are our future. They fight climate change, provide shade, and even improve soil fertility.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A government official, Aloycia Mdeme, plants a tree to signify the launch of the school environmental club. Credit: Kizito Makoye\/IPS<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mtoni Primary School pupils plant trees; this project has become central to the region\u2019s contribution to climate change mitigation. Credit: Kizito Makoye\/IPS<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In Tanzania, the impact of climate change is becoming increasingly severe. The country aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 to 35 percent by 2030, a goal outlined in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Despite its low carbon footprint\u2014just 0.22 tons per capita compared to the global average of 7.58\u2014Tanzania is reeling from climate-related disasters. Droughts, floods, and erratic weather patterns disrupt agriculture, drying up water sources and threatening economic stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the rural poor, especially those who rely on farming\u2014the backbone of the economy, making up 28 percent of GDP\u2014the stakes are higher. But in places like Nyagisya and Rorya Girls Secondary Schools, students have taken up the fight. Through tree planting, they have become unlikely climate crusaders, tackling environmental degradation while improving food security and boosting local livelihoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The act of planting trees offers more than shade and fruit. It symbolizes a deeper mission\u2014restoring soil, preserving water, and, for these students, delivering a form of climate justice. The reforestation efforts are in step with Tanzania\u2019s broader plans to fortify its agriculture and water systems against the advancing climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As these student-led initiatives flourish, they mirror Tanzania\u2019s urgent call for global support. With limited resources, the country is striving to fulfill its commitments yet it recognizes that the battle against climate change is a collective endeavor that requires unity on a global scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the promising efforts in Tanzania, significant challenges remain. One of the main hurdles is the unpredictability of funding. Tree-planting initiatives and climate adaptation programs require sustained financial support, but resources are often limited, local analysts say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without consistent funding, scaling up projects and maintaining long-term impact becomes difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Community members plant trees in Rorya district. Credit: Kizito Makoye\/IPS<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While students have embraced environmental stewardship, not all local households are on board. In some areas, livestock continues to graze on young saplings, undoing the hard work of reforestation. Additionally, cultural and economic pressures, such as the reliance on charcoal for income and firewood for cooking, contribute to ongoing deforestation, making conservation efforts harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Erratic rainfall and worsening drought conditions present another barrier. Water scarcity makes it harder to nurture newly planted trees, despite innovative solutions. These conditions also strain local agriculture, which many families depend on, increasing the urgency of balancing conservation with survival needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Tanzania has ambitious climate goals, the gap between policy and practical implementation remains wide, particularly in rural areas where the effects of climate change are felt most acutely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Gabimori Primary School, students have embraced their role as environmental stewards. \u201cThey\u2019ve seen how conservation affects their daily lives,\u201d says teacher Witinga Mattambo. \u201cThey now understand the link between the trees and the food they eat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impact is vivid for students like Sadiki. \u201cI never realized trees were this important,\u201d she says. \u201cThey bring rain and improve our environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Lema, this is only the beginning. By fostering leadership skills and engaging the broader community, the program is building a new generation of Tanzanians dedicated to environmental protection. \u201cWe\u2019ve even seen parents get involved,\u201d Lwitiko says. \u201cThey\u2019re starting to plant trees in their own yards.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, the program faces hurdles. Some households allow their livestock to graze on young saplings, undoing the hard work of the students. \u201cIt\u2019s frustrating,\u201d admits Lwitiko, \u201cbut we\u2019re making progress, step by step.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lema has ambitious plans to expand the initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re training students to pass on their knowledge,\u201d he says. \u201cAs they move on, they\u2019ll teach younger students, and we\u2019ll spread this effort to other schools.\u201d But scaling the program will require more funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re working on securing more resources and partnering with local governments to enforce tree-planting bylaws,\u201d Lema explains. There are also plans to set up household tree nurseries, allowing families to earn extra income while contributing to conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Sadiki, the program\u2019s impact is lasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have the duty to plant trees and protect our environment. It\u2019s something we\u2019ll carry with us for the rest of our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INPS Japan\/ IPS UN Bureau Report<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Kizito Makoye MUSOMA, Tanzania (IPS) \u2013 At Gabimori primary school, located at Nyamagaro ward in Tanzania\u2019s northern Rorya district, a 15-year-old  Florence Sadiki kneels among polyethylene bags, carefully examining the seedlings she and her classmates  have nurtured from tiny sprouts \u201cWe\u2019ve planted many trees to make our school look better and to help fight climate change,\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8315,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,25,27,53,55,16,32,3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-8314","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-africa","8":"category-education-women-children","9":"category-environment-resources-energ","10":"category-goal13","11":"category-goal15","12":"category-news","13":"category-regions","14":"category-sdgs-2"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8314","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8314"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8314\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8316,"href":"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8314\/revisions\/8316"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8315"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8314"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8314"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inpsjapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8314"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}