TED Talks Daily The city planting a million trees in two years | Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr
Nov 30, 2020
Freetown's mayor, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, aims to plant a million trees in two years, boosting the city's greenery by fifty percent. This initiative not only fights climate change but also enhances biodiversity and protects eroding riverbanks. The project relies heavily on community engagement, inviting residents to participate in this green effort. With each tree planted, the city hopes to strengthen its role in the global carbon sink and promote a more sustainable future.
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Deforestation Observation
- In December 2015, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr noticed the stark deforestation along Grafton Road in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
- This observation, following the Ebola outbreak, ignited her concern about climate change's impact.
Landslide Tragedy
- A massive landslide in 2017 near Grafton Road, where deforestation was observed, resulted in the loss of approximately 1,000 lives.
- This tragedy highlighted the direct impact of deforestation on the community.
Deforestation's Impact on Survival
- Deforestation is not merely an aesthetic issue; it directly threatens survival.
- The loss of forests diminishes the ability to live due to increased risks of landslides, flooding, and loss of biodiversity.