Today global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberlandannounced a new commitment to plant 50 million trees around the world by 2025 as part of its pursuit of a greener future. Haiti is one of six initial target countries, and tree planting efforts there will be led by Timberland’s longtime partner, the Smallholder Farmers Alliance(SFA). Additional partners helping with the international 50 million tree goal include GreenNetwork, TREE AID, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, Connect4Climate – World Bank Group, Justdiggit, Las Lagunas Ecological Park, Trees for the Future, American Forestsand Treedom.
According to new researchled by Swiss University ETH Zürich, the restoration of trees remains among the most effective strategies for climate change mitigation, and a worldwide planting program could remove two-thirds of all the emissions that have been pumped into the atmosphere by human activities. Trees help to clean air by removing carbon and releasing oxygen into the air; cool the air through evaporation; prevent erosion and save water, and more. Over the next five years, Timberland will support multiple reforestation initiatives around the world in support of a greener future.
In Haiti, SFA farmer members currently plant trees to earn credits, or ‘tree currency’, that they exchange for seed, tools, training and other agricultural and community services. The net impact is millions of trees having been planted to date along with crop yield increases averaging 40%, and household income increasing between 50-100% for participating farmers. Now the SFA will significantly expand its operation to make a contribution to the global 50 million tree goal.
“At Timberland, we’re conscious of the impact our modern way of life has on the planet. And we believe as a global lifestyle brand, and as individuals, we have a responsibility to make it better,” said Jim Pisani, global brand president, Timberland. “Trees and green spaces help improve the quality of our planet as well as individual wellbeing. Our commitment to plant trees is a real, measurable way to act upon our belief that a greener future is a better future. We encourage people everywhere to join the movement by taking their own actions – small or large – to be heroes for nature.”
To kick off its pledge, Timberland has launched its largest-ever global campaign, “Nature Needs Heroes,” calling on consumers around the world to join the movement by taking simple, small actions for a healthier planet. Harnessing the brand’s passion for nature and the energy of fashion, the campaign celebrates 12 eco-heroes who are making lasting, positive change for the environment and their communities.
To learn more about Timberland’s tree planting commitment and Nature Needs Heroes campaign, visit the brand’s responsibility site.
Regards,
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Hugh Locke