As our planet hurtles towards a climate precipice, two former Indian Army veterans, Surendra Singh and Bishambhar Dayal Sharma, have embarked on a mission to combat the climate crisis. Their brainchild, ‘Grow Billion Trees‘, is a global initiative that aims to plant and protect billions of trees worldwide.
Having served their country with distinction, these veterans now serve the planet, applying the discipline, leadership, and strategic thinking honed during their military careers to the war against environmental degradation.
Our planet, once teeming with six trillion trees, has seen a sharp decline to a mere three trillion due to human activities. These staggering figures translate to a loss of 50% of the world’s trees, which are the lungs of the earth, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
This massive reduction in our green cover has serious implications for climate change, as trees sequester approximately 300 billion tonnes of carbon, around 40 times the annual greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.
The initiative offers a comprehensive approach to tackling deforestation by focusing on planting native tree species that can thrive in local environments. This carefully curated methodology contributes to local biodiversity and helps restore ecosystems.
The initiative has also ingeniously intertwined ecological responsibility with personal and cultural celebrations. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, baby shower, or memorial, planting a tree offers a unique and environmentally conscious way to commemorate these occasions.
In addition, ‘Grow Billion Trees’ extends this innovative idea to major festivals like Diwali, Navratri, Raksha Bandhan, Christmas, and Eid, as well as special days like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Women’s Day. Each tree planted in honor of these occasions comes with a unique Tree E-certificate and a customizable e-greeting card, making the celebration even more meaningful. These tree plantings create personal, lasting tributes that contribute to the health of the planet.
But the initiative’s reach goes beyond individual actions. Recognizing the crucial role of businesses in addressing climate change, ‘Grow Billion Trees’ organizes special tree plantation drives for corporations. These drives help companies offset their carbon footprints and judiciously utilize their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budgets, thereby amplifying their contributions towards sustainable development.
While the primary mission is tree planting, the initiative doesn’t overlook the need to protect existing forests. It underlines the importance of a balanced approach: planting new trees and conserving the existing ones.
In undertaking this mammoth task, ‘Grow Billion Trees’ aspires to not only combat climate change and environmental degradation but also to enhance local communities. It aims to provide sustainable jobs, improve air quality, and contribute to global carbon sequestration efforts.
“Small actions can lead to significant transformations. By nurturing ecosystems, empowering local communities, and raising awareness, we can create a sustainable world for future generations,” urges Singh.
This global mission, led by the tenacity and strategic thinking of two Indian Army veterans, serves as a beacon of resilience and a rallying cry for collective action. As the world grapples with the escalating climate crisis, ‘Grow Billion Trees’ stands as a testament to humanity’s capacity for innovation, collaboration, and determination in the face of adversity.
For those interested in joining this crucial journey towards a healthier planet, you can reach out at care@growbilliontrees.com or plant your first tree now at www.growbilliontrees.com
