dyton mupawaenda
RECENT weather-related disasters around the world, including the deluge in Spain that killed more than 200 people last month, are a tragic indictment of how human beings have been bad stewards of the environment.
After decades of pollution and environmental degradation, Mother Nature is now fighting back in the most brutal way imaginable.
In this part of the world, which is already not best resourced to respond to both extreme weather events and freak weather conditions, we continue to keenly feel the effects of climate change.
The 2024/2025 summer cropping season is currently what stands between food security and food insecurity in the region.
Everyone is praying for good rains to guarantee a better agricultural season than last year.
Some scientists are already sounding the alarm.
For example, a December 2022 study published in Science Advances — a peer-reviewed multidisciplinary open-access scientific journal established in early 2015 and published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science — states that “the planet has entered the sixth mass extinction”.
It also warns that current anthropogenic trends, particularly regarding climate and land-use changes, could result in the loss of more than a tenth of plant and animal species by the end of the century.
Fortunately, we still have the power to change this apocalyptic narrative by restoring the environment, which is critical to our survival.
This makes the National Tree Planting Day, which was commemorated yesterday, critical to the life of every Zimbabwean.
Our forest and woodland resources enhance biodiversity and household food security, as well as help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Clearly, tree planting is more than just an act of beautifying our surroundings; it is a powerful tool for fostering healthier ecosystems and combating climate change.
Trees, which are the backbone of our ecosystems, provide habitats for countless species and promote rich biodiversity.
They also prevent soil erosion and improve soil fertility, ensuring that the land remains productive and resilient.
Further, by enhancing groundwater recharge and reducing runoff, trees play a crucial role in maintaining the water cycle.
Most critically, they are our most reliable natural allies in the fight against global warming, as they absorb carbon dioxide, which is one of the main greenhouse gases.
They are, thus, the lungs of the earth.
This makes tree planting more than a ceremonial gesture, but an existential rite that needs to be religiously observed to sustain life on earth.
Thankfully, President Mnangagwa continues to crusade for the restoration of natural ecosystems and the environment, which is one of the goals of the National Development Strategy 1.
“We are currently in the United Nations-proclaimed Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which runs from 2021 to 2030. Government will continue to promulgate policies and programmes that promote the United Nations’ environmental goals and to facilitate global cooperation for the restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems, while fostering efforts to combat climate change, safeguard biodiversity, food security and water supply,” he said in his message to mark the Tree Planting Day last year.
“Our commitment to ecosystems restoration will not succeed if we do not acknowledge that trees and forests are a critical component of terrestrial ecosystems, and that it is important to establish, conserve and protect these forest resources that provide a wide array of ecosystem goods and services. These are the critical targets that Government has deliberately enshrined in our National Development Strategy 1.”
And Government is indeed walking the talk.
A fortnight ago, it banned all alluvial mining operations and imposed fines of not less than US$5 000, or up to 12 months in jail, on individuals or companies found carrying out such activities.
The new law — Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024 — also ordered those in possession of riverbed and alluvial mining permits and licences to immediately stop operations.
Any special permits or licences that were valid before the new law came into effect are now invalid.
Further, the new law empowers the authorities to confiscate equipment, machinery or vehicles used for alluvial mining until the case is concluded before the courts.
All these measures were meant to eliminate the danger and threat posed by alluvial mining to both the environment and human health.
But the responsibility to protect the environment is not the Government’s alone.
The private sector and communities also have a crucial role to play.
No effort can be considered small.
Planting even a single tree will make a difference.
This is akin to, in astronaut Neil Armstrong’s words, one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.
Let us commit to do everything in our power to restore the environment because our future — or existence — depends on it.
daniel chigunwe
