JUST ONE Tree and Let’s Go Zero have joined forces to help schools reduce their environmental impact and become carbon zero by 2030 by driving reforestation in areas where it has the most impact and benefit.
Schools are being actively encouraged to hold a JUST ONE Tree Day on Friday 15 October (Friday 1 October for Scotland), raising funds to reverse deforestation and provide species with safe habitats to increase biodiversity – a tree is planted on behalf of the children for every £1 raised. In return, schools get access to a wide variety of learning tools on the environment.
To date, over 420 schools have signed-up to partner with JUST ONE Tree and in the 18 months the non-profit has been established, close to a million trees have been planted at a rate of one every 53 seconds.
Let’s Go Zero is a coalition of sustainability organisations working with schools in the UK providing help and resources to schools, teachers and students on their school journey to zero carbon.
Amanda Bronkhorst, founder of JUST ONE Tree, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Let’s Go Zero’s national campaign calling for government backing for zero carbon schools.
“We’re asking parents to encourage their children’s school to host a JUST ONE Tree Day and be part of a global movement empowering children in making a real difference for a greener future.
“JUST ONE Tree Day is a simple – and free – way for schools to help compensate for their environmental impact.
“Forests are the lungs of the planet, cleaning the air and absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. On average, a tree absorbs 48lbs of carbon dioxide per year and it’s estimated forests can provide 30% of the solution to keeping rising global temperatures below 2°C. Tree planting is vital for the future of our planet and JUST ONE Tree Day is a way for children to take direct action in protecting their own future. The ‘children’s forest’ already stands at over 150,000 trees; we’re thrilled to be joining with Let’s Go Zero this year to help grow it even further.”
Alex Green, Project Manager for Let’s Go Zero, added: “We love the work that JUST ONE Tree does with schools – it really helps children to learn about the link between local and global actions, and that they can make a difference. We look forward to seeing lots of Let’s Go Zero schools signing up to take part in JUST ONE Tree Day this year!”
