Belize Launches ‘One Million Trees’ Climate Initiative

Belize’s nationwide greening initiative is underway and the Government and Belizeans across the country are invited to participate. It’s also called the ‘One Million Trees initiative, and through this, the government plans to restore vegetation across Belize with a large-scale reforestation plan. By engaging in community tree planting and the creation of standardized native species nurseries, the campaign invites all to unite under the vision of restoring and preserving Belize’s natural landscapes. Deputy Chief Fire Officer, John Pinelo, tells us more about the launch.

 

John Pinelo, Deputy Chief Forest Officer

“The Greening Belize initiative. Also known as A Million Trees for Climate and Sustainable Development represents one of Belize’s most ambitious national endeavors to restore degraded ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience and reaffirm the country’s global environment leadership. Anchored in Belize’s national landscape restoration strategy and its updated national determined constructions or what we call NDC 3.0, this initiative envisions a greener future where environmental sustainability drives economic progress and community well-being. We need to have those three things ongoing; we can’t just have one. If we’re planting trees and people aren’t benefiting then why are we planting trees. The community aspect has to be involved in doing that you have to touch the economic aspect as well because that’s what you help communities grow. At the heart of the Greening Belize initiative lies the simple yet powerful idea of planting and nurturing life. Over the coming decade, the Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management and the Forest Department aim to plant at least one million trees across Belize. The effort focuses on agro-productive zones and lands severely affected by 2024 wildfire season particularly within the Belize watershed. An ecosystem that sustains nearly half of the nation’s ecosystem.”