Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Patrick Chitumba, patrick.chitumba@chronicle.co.zw
COMMUNITIES in Mberengwa District are being encouraged to take decisive action against climate change by planting and preserving more trees.
This initiative is seen as a critical step in mitigating the harmful effects of climate change, which continues to threaten ecosystems, food security, and livelihoods in Zimbabwe.
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature, precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events, caused by both natural factors and human activities.
Over the past century, human actions, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, have greatly accelerated global warming.
These climate changes pose unprecedented risks to ecosystems, economies, and human communities, particularly affecting vulnerable populations and nations with limited resources to adapt.
In Zimbabwe, climate change is reshaping livelihoods, threatening food security, and impacting key economic sectors, especially agriculture.
Speaking at a belated district tree planting commemorations held on Monday at Kushinga Secondary School in Mberengwa, District Development Co-ordinator (DCC) Mr Vafios Hlabati urged residents to actively participate in tree planting efforts.
“As the people of Mberengwa, you are being encouraged to take action against climate change by preserving and planting more trees, helping to reduce its harmful impacts,” he said
Mr Hlabati extended gratitude to the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, for championing the tree-planting initiative and called on community members to take a leading role in these efforts.
“On behalf of Mberengwa District, I want to thank the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, for spearheading this programme. By planting trees, we can protect our communities from the adverse effects of climate change and pave the way for a brighter future,” he said.
Last year’s National Tree Planting Day carried the theme “Trees and Forests for Ecosystem Restoration and Improved Livelihoods.”
The day saw the launch of the Presidential Legacy Forests Programme, which aims to plant 16 230 indigenous, eucalyptus, and fruit trees nationwide.
This annual event highlights the importance of forests in improving biodiversity, restoring ecosystems, and enhancing household food security.
Midlands provincial acting manager for the Forestry Commission, Mr Polite Foto, commended the initiative and pledged the commission’s full support.
“As a commission, our mandate is to ensure we achieve Vision 2030, which includes mitigating the effects of climate change. We will actively participate in tree planting programmes because trees are vital to our lives,” he said.
The Midlands Province has set an ambitious target to plant at least one million trees, aligning with national efforts to combat climate change.
Experts describe trees as the first line of defence in the fight against climate change. They play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide, regulating temperatures, and preserving ecosystems.
