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Ecoethics Global Movement, a non-governmental organization founded by US-based young climate activist, Madhvi Chittoor, on Saturday spearheaded an awareness tree planting programme that incorporated persons with disabilities.
The International Day for Persons with Disabilities is celebrated on the 3rd of December on annual basis and this merely coincides with Tree Planting Day which is commemorated on the 4th of December.
Over the years, persons with disabilities were left out both in Environment and Climate Action programmes but this time around the Movement made a difference in the quest to achieve climate justice.
The event to mark the commemorations for Tree Planting Day was held by Ecoethics Zimbabwe in partnership with the Forest Commission and the City of Harare on Saturday 3rd of December at Harare Gardens. Participants from Kenya, Nigeria, Siera Leon, Zambia, India, Bangladesh and USA joined the live proceedings via the zoom platform.
Speaking during the event, the Founder of the Ecoethics Movement, Madhvi Chittoor, said it is crucial to include persons with disabilities in climate action programmes so as to achieve climate justice.
“This year, we decided to prioritize persons with disabilities in our climate action programmes after realizing that they were being left out in many areas of the environment. By doing so we are trying to achieve climate justice. As Ecoethics Movement, we shall continue to include them in our future programmes.”
Speaking during the same occasion, Forest Commission Board Chairperson, Commissioner Veronica Gundu commended Ecoethics Global Movement for championing disability inclusion in the Tree Planting programme.
“I would like to commend Ecoethics Movement for championing disability inclusion in this year’s Tree Planting Day. I am happy to see persons with disabilities taking part in such programmes and this is a good gesture for us all.”
Henry Kane, Co-Founder of Thisability Disabled Persons Organization expressed happiness towards the involvement of disability communities in environmental programmes. According to Kane, the International Day for Persons with Disabilities was celebrated with a difference.
” Persons with disabilities have been remembered. This becomes the first time that we have been included in matters of the environment. On that note, I wish to commend the Ecoethics Movement for including us in this year’s tree planting.”
Ecoethics Movement was founded by young Madhvi Chittoor based in America. Ecoethics Zimbabwe was born sometime in February this year with Tendai Guvamombe pioneering its Presidency, officially endorsed by US Legislator Ms Lisa Cutter.
The movement has made strides in holding successful campaigns to effect a ban on plastics and PFAs in Colorado USA, advocating for peace during the current global wars and steering Ecoethics Africa Climate Week that was held on the sidelines of COP 27 in Egypt.