The world's most powerful engine for planting trees. Everywhere. Driven by the visionary energy of a child, Felix Finkbeiner, who in the meantime has grown up and transformed from a small boy to a great tree planter. The story of Plant for the Planet It seems like a fairy tale, but on the contrary, it's a beautiful reality with still unpredictable developments along the path to sustainability, not just words, but concrete ones. Made of real changes, in which we can all participate, every day, even with small gestures.
Felix Finkbeiner (Source: Facebook)
Let's start from the end of this incredible story, a truly special chapter of our life philosophy inspired by Non-Waste, including trees, nature, and health. Since the movement was born in 2007, in Germany, thanks to a powerful avalanche effect, the trees planted under the direction of Plant for the Planet They have been multiplying. In stratospheric numbers. In 2011, there were already one million, in 45 countries around the world, but eight years later, they had grown to one billion, worldwide. Thanks to the widespread work of associations, movements, activists, and even companies: all connected, through a vast network, to the project.
In the face of such tumultuous growth, the bar of Plant for the Planet It has risen. And by a lot. Now the goal has become much more ambitious: a trillion trees.
How did we arrive at this figure? Is it just a dream that doesn't quite match reality? Or are we looking at an achievable goal?
Felix Finkbeiner, “il tree child” today he is 28 years old but he was only nine when, attending elementary school, he asked himself why there was not yet a global movement capable of focusing on trees to save the Earth. Hence the creation of “Plant or the Planet”. It was 2007. The following year Felix presented his first objective to the UN: plant one million new trees.
(Source: Facebook)
In 2008 they were well 150mila the trees planted by Plant for the Planet in Germany. In 2011, one million. Since then they have become 15 billion trees planted around the world thanks not only to Plant for the Planet but also to the collaboration and support of many non-governmental organizations, companies and regional activists. And in 2011, the United Nations Environment Program entrusted the Foundation with the management of the Billion Tree Campaign: to plant a trillion treesA realistic goal, according to Felix. As he stated in an interview with Corriere della Sera: "There are 3 trillion trees on Earth and there's room for another 600 billion. To reach this goal, we need to plant a trillion trees, since not all of them will survive. If we succeed, they could absorb a quarter of the CO2 produced by humans."
Sul counter updated in real time on the portal Plant for the Planet, you can view the number of trees planted all over the world thanks to the initiative.
Year after year, more than 100 children and adolescents They followed Felix's example and committed themselves to safeguarding our planet. Also in Italy, where it is active Italian section of Plant for the Planet.
An initiative that has also been joined by many celebrities from the world of entertainment, heads of government, and Nobel Prize winners.
In our country, last March, the eighteen-year-old student from South Tyrol Ariane Benedikter was awarded the title of "Standard Bearer of the Republic" by President Sergio Mattarella, precisely for her commitment to the climate and Sustainable Development.
Ariane Benedikter
The title is awarded to young people who carry out courageous and supportive actions and who have distinguished themselves as "community builders." Ariane was first a representative of Italy, then a permanent member, and finally, in 2013, she was elected vice president of Plant for the Planet EuropeFor years, she has toured Italian schools to raise awareness among children and their peers about respecting the planet we live on and the need to adopt environmentally friendly behaviors. Each of us, in our own small way, can contribute to making a difference.
Ariane Benedikter (Source: Facebook)
In total, he has already planted over 150 trees between South Tyrol and Veneto And his school, the Walter von der Vogelweide Language High School in Bolzano, has obtained certification as a sustainable institution. The vending machines only stock organic, locally sourced food, the coffee machine no longer dispenses plastic cups, and everyone uses their own cups from home. For the various paperwork, only recycled paper is used.. Ariane travels only by public transport or bicycle, buys sustainably produced food, and uses recyclable shopping bags.
Giovanni Atzeni
Just like Ariane, too Giovanni Atzeni from Sassari, last year he was awarded the title "Standard Bearer of the Republic." He was only 11 years old when he was struck by Felix Finkbeiner's story and decided he would personally commit himself to saving the planet. Since then he has planted over 400 trees, also in collaboration with the Forest Authority and is part of the association Plant for the Planet.
In the cover image, Felix Finkbeiner
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