Labworx

The UAE’s 44th Planting Week saw the government launch a week-long campaign to plant an additional 50,000 mangrove trees in the country. The initiative, entitled “Together, Let’s Plant the UAE”, ran from the 26th of February to 3rd of March and encompassed a wide range of different social groups from all emirates of the UAE.

Mangrove trees play a crucial role as a natural solution in mitigating climate change issues, as well as providing a whole host of other biodiversity and environmental benefits. The drive is part of a wider push to move the UAE forwards in its climate goal of achieving net zero by 2050, all within the framework of a sustainable living environment.

44th Planting Week

The 44th Planting Week kicked off on Monday 26th of February and focused on promoting the preservation and expansion of green spaces within the country. The “Together, Let’s Plant the UAE” project was a key part of the initiative and saw the Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment (MOCCAE) working closely alongside all relevant stakeholders in achieving their mutual aims.

Specifically, this involved distributing 50,000 mangrove tree seedlings to participating groups in all emirates around the country. By encouraging engagement with diverse social groups, MOCCAE hopes to not only further its ultimate goal of planting 100 million mangrove trees by 2030, but also raise awareness of their importance (and, more broadly, the importance of natural solutions) in the process.

The mighty mangrove

Mangroves offer a plethora of benefits when it comes to bolstering the world around us. They work exceptionally well as natural carbon sinks and a recent study found that replanting all deforested areas of the planet could see them sequester between 671.5 teragrams and 688.8 teragrams (671,500,000,000,000g to 688,800,000,000,000g) of carbon dioxide equivalent across a 40-year period.

What’s more, they also provide habitats for an extensive array of animals and birds, as well as enhancing the aesthetic beauty of a location. And they serve as a natural breakwater and filter for coastlines, improving water quality and combatting erosion. And of course, as trees, they contribute more oxygen to the environment as well, making them something of a super solution in combatting climate change and enhancing the sustainable profile of a region.

Planting the seeds of good practice

The Minister of Climate Change and the Environment Dr Amna bint Abdullah al Dahak emphasised how nature-based solutions (such as mangrove trees) will prove valuable components of the country’s overarching strategy towards a more sustainable tomorrow. She hopes that drives such as this one will help plant the seeds of good practice for many months and years to come.

“The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan held a strong passion for planting efforts since the formation of the nation,” she said. “His vision and focus on engaging the community in tree planting efforts laid the foundation for our current approach. I urge community members to participate in Planting Week activities, aiming to make it an opportunity for continuous year-round planting.”

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