peacesign_trees225The International Day of Peace will be observed across the globe, on Monday, September 21st, with events planned in every UN Nation State. Individuals, schools, communities and nations worldwide are joining in, with over 10,000 events planned this year, sponsored by thousands of organizations, with the estimated participation of over 200 million people.

Human rights, environmental, government, cultural, professional and civic groups will promote peace with observances ranging from ceasefires for humanitarian aide, to vigils and tree planting efforts. Everyone can participate by observing a moment of silence at noon, in all time zones, as requested by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Wangari Maathai, the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, is widely credited with bringing the connection between peace and the environment to the world stage. Maathai founded The Greenbelt Movement in Kenya, in 1977, to mitigate Kenya’s rapid deforestation. Deforestation causes serious, localized problems such as soil runoff, water pollution, and diminished wild animal habitats, all resulting in food and resource shortages. Since the 1970s she has been responsible for the planting of more than 30 million trees across Africa. Maathai noted that by her award, the Nobel Committee acknowledged the fact that “peace on earth depends on our ability to secure our living environment.”

According to the United Nations Environment Program 90% of the worlds current conflicts are found in the poorest 30% of countries. The poorest countries suffer the greatest environmental challenges. Environmental degradation intensifies poverty by eroding livelihoods and food sources, while intensifying competition for scarce resources, thus creating a climate for conflict.

Maathai’s commitment to planting trees has inspired many initiatives, such as The UNEP Billion Tree Campaign, which has planted over two billion trees, in more than 160 countries since 2006. Their goal is to plant seven billion trees by the Copenhagen climate change meeting in 2009.

Since 2004, ENO-Environment Online, a global virtual school and network for sustainable development and environmental awareness, has organized a tree planting initiative for The International Day of Peace. Last year 300,000 trees were planted under the ENO banner on the International Day of Peace.

ENO views the planting of trees as a symbol of hope and the continuity of life. This event inspires children all over the world to focus on the connection between the environment and peace while raising awareness of the importance of forests on a global scale.

The planting of trees for peace will take place across the globe at noon local time, on September 21st. The planting ceremonies will begin in Tonga in Oceania. Asia, Africa, Europe, then North and South America will join in turn. The final area to participate will be the Samoa Islands. The planting of native species is encouraged. These trees will be nurtured and cared for and their growth and development will be documented and celebrated in future events.

Step Forward – Plant a tree for Peace!

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