Massive Czech Republic Tree-planting Project Welcomes Expat Participation

As the news about global warning gets worse, the Czech Republic is taking action.

In an effort to stall the effects of global warming, the Czech Republic’s Ministry of the Environment is planning to plant 10 million trees with the help of private citizens, companies, schools, social organisations and expatriates living and working in the country. Experts believe the huge numbers of new trees will emit enough oxygen for some 30 million people and lower the ambient temperature by three degrees Celsius over 200,000 square kilometers.

The Trees for the Future initiative is aimed at anyone and everyone including all expats in the Czech Republic, with its official website giving full details, although to date the site is only in the local language. Registration is via a Google doc, also in Czech but fairly easy to use. Expat volunteers wishing to participate in this ground-breaking effort should include the chosen location for tree planting as well as permission from the landowner if relevant. Local organisers working on the project are happy to give advice regarding the right type of tree for the chosen location.

Results of a recent survey involving over 1,000 respondents revealed almost 75 per cent of those who took part were fully in favour of planting trees rather than constructing more parking lots, with the same number believing the government should funnel more money into clean water, sanitation and the overall health of its citizens. The official greening by this project of a country already famed for its large number of national parks could well be taken as a sign the message of global warming is finally hitting home in Europe.