Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA), in collaboration with the Gweru City Council, has launched an ambitious initiative to plant over 1500 trees by 2030. This pioneering effort aims to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability within the city.
The impacts of climate change are increasingly evident both globally and locally, manifesting as reduced rainfall, unpredictable wind patterns leading to cyclones, extreme seasonal temperatures, delayed rainy seasons, disappearing wetlands, and declining water reservoirs.
Research suggests that restoring forests to their maximum potential could reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels by 25%, reverting concentrations to those not seen in over a century. This underscores reforestation as a critical component in a broader strategy that includes responsible consumption, recycling, sustainable agriculture, and clean energy production.
Local residents have warmly welcomed the tree-planting initiative. Priscilla Mponda, a Ward 4 resident, emphasized the program’s significance in addressing climate change both nationally and globally.
“We need trees everywhere in our city to ensure that we create enough clean air for the people and animals. We are the custodians of all living creatures since God gave us that authority; therefore, we must use the land responsibly,” she stated.
Mponda also pledged community support for GRRA and the city council in their environmental endeavors.
GRRA Executive Director, Cornilia Selipiwe, highlighted the urgency of addressing rising deforestation rates.
“Recent patterns indicate that deforestation is on the rise. We are already fighting back. Our organization has begun implementing plans for environmentally based initiatives. There is a need to make sure that the next generation is environmentally conscious and ready to make an impact in preserving and protecting our forests,” Selipiwe remarked.
He further noted that the residents’ tree-planting program aims to foster community pride and ownership of local streetscapes, relying heavily on the support of local residents and volunteers.
Trust Chineni, Chairman of Environment, Town Planning, and Roads, underscored the necessity for councils to declare a climate emergency and take proactive measures to reduce carbon emissions.
“We need to declare a state of emergency fast and quickly before the effects of climate change catch up with us. We applaud GRRA for their mantra ‘planting thousands of trees in Gweru by 2030’ as a move to mitigate climate change,” Chineni stated.
This collaborative initiative between GRRA and the Gweru City Council exemplifies a proactive approach to environmental stewardship, aiming to create a greener, more sustainable future for the city.
