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By Joyce Mukucha
Striving to build a green economy as well as reducing the vulnerability of different communities from the devastating effects of climate change, the Affirmative Action Group (AAG) Zimbabwe has partnered with AAG diaspora in launching a “Go Green” pledge, a campaign aimed at advocating for reduction of negative impact to the environment and ensuring that Zimbabwe become a climate resilient nation.
This has seen the organisation planting 300 hundred trees countrywide and The Jam Tree Restaurant in Mt Pleasant Harare is one of the places which trees have been planted.
According to United Nations Development Programme, climate change is projected to have profound impacts on Zimbabwe, including heightened water stress, increased incidence of drought, declines in crop and livestock productivity, change in wildlife ranges, an increase in wildfire incidents and the possible expansion of malaria zones.
Speaking during the inaugural Go Green Clean Up and Tree Planting event last week, AAG Secretary for Environment and Tourism, Rumbidzai Takawira said the organisation had seen it necessary and imperative to support Government’s efforts in building resilience to climate change impacts.
She urged everyone particularly the young people in different communities to work collectively in going going green and reduce carbon footprint that everyone is responsible for indicating that afforestation is the way to go.
“As AAG, we are striving to fight climate change which is most associated with negative impacts such as droughts and cyclones. Therefore, we have realised that there is need to protect our environment and we are saying going green through tree planting is the way to go. As we embark on a Go Green Clean up and tree planting campaign today in partnership with AAG diaspora, we have seen it important to compliment Government’s efforts as it working tirelessly to the attainment of Vision 2030 agenda of Sustainable Development Goals and we are urging everyone to take responsibility of growing trees.
“It’s not only about planting a tree but also about maintaining that tree. All sectors are affected by climate change and it every sectors’ duty and responsibility to fight it. We can really make a huge difference when we start by small things like planting trees. There is need to reduce carbon footprint and deforestation and this can become possible if we raise awareness amongst our communities for them to change their mindset and contribute towards afforestation initiatives,” said Takawira.
The Executive member for AAG UK and Europe, Tinotenda Chimsoro said the branch was taking a very serious stance when it comes to supporting the Zimbabwean government initiatives regarding the environment and climate.
“We recognise our responsibility to take mindful action on behalf of our planet to combat the climate emergency. This month Glasgow hosted COP26, an international summit where politicians and representatives from every UN country came together to talk about what they are doing to fight climate change.
“Every 5 years the meeting is of particular importance, the last one being COP21 in Paris in 2015. This year’s event is pivotal, and possibly the most important climate summit ever held in the world. In response to the significance of this, we as AAG UK have decided to make a pledge – to hold a Climate Conversation as part of our Corporate Social Responsibly in the remaining months leading up to COP26. Our first activity around climate and environment is our inaugural Go Green Clean Up and Tree Planting event,” he said.
Go Green Pledge, he said, breaks down the positive actions that are being taken to create and maintain a truly ethical supply chain, considering the materials used by many, the safety of products, and the people that make those products.
“We are dedicated to reducing the negative impact to our environment and are working towards our target of becoming climate neutral by 2030. Now more than ever we need to take ownership of keeping our environments that we live in clean as citizens of our beloved country. This is the beginning of a lobbying campaign that will see us pushing for businesses that contribute immensely to the carbon footprint of Zimbabwe to create business synergies that help reduce this carbon footprint.We also want to see mining companies taking a greater role in the caring of our environment.”
He emphasised the need to move from the culture of only planting trees on national tree planting day highlighting that everyday should be a clean-up day, every day should be a plant a tree day.
AAG UK also engaged young musicians within communities, as they have a role to play in how they influence their audiences and fans encouraging them to pledge as well to singing about positive things happening in the country and to raise awareness on environmental issues.
The event was graced by AAG partner stakeholders that signed a pledge to the president and the people of Zimbabwe to act responsibly in regards to the environment.
These included: Snowmaster Ice and Farmyard Beverages, Household Convertors, Blue Lagoon Nursery, BMJ Gas, and Ambify-UK among others who pledged to extend their support in ad much as protecting natural resources and environment is concerned.
Blue Lagoon Nursery official, Tinotenda Warambwa said they have taken it upon themselves to ensure that they finance growing of trees but more importantly ensure that the organisation plough back to the community by donating trees.
“As Blue Lagoon Nursery we have seen the importance of giving back to the community by donating trees as an ongoing exercise and the upcoming national tree planting day is no exception. We have identified three sites that are two shopping centres namely Pendennis Shopping Centre, Blue Lagoon Shopping Centre and a public oark at Marlborough Civic Center which are set to benefit and we are currently engaging relevant authorities to facilitate the formalities for us to plant them on the 4th of December 2021,” he said.
Grow a Tree Foundation Executive Director, Kudakwashe Manyanga said for Zimbabwe to be able to adapt and mitigate against climate change, there was need to grow more trees across the country, reduce carbon emissions and use sustainable and renewable energy which is environmental friendly.
“There is need for everyone to think outside the box and contribute towards building a climate resilient nation. Whilst we contribute to Sustainable Development Goals, it is important to ensure that we put in place mechanisms and introduce programs aimed at reducing carbon footprints.
“Together we can make it if we join our hands as companies and institutions and start investing in productive machinery such as recycling plants and other value addition machines , less generators and more solar equipment and tree growing as we push for a climate neutral Zimbabwe,” said Manyanga.