KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Forestry Department is urging Jamaicans to take steps that will count towards a climate resilient future by planting a tree, as it leads the 16th observance of National Tree Planting Day on Friday, October 5.

In a release this morning, the Forestry Department said that a 2013 publication in the British scientific Journal, Nature, said that Jamaica is expected to experience climate departure by 2023 with the possibility of it changing to 2028 with carbon dioxide mitigation.

Marilyn Headley, CEO and Conservator of Forests, indicated that two ways to help reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is by not burning our forests and by engaging in more tree planting activities.

“One of the many functions of trees is the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When we cut trees, we are reducing the number of trees that are able to absorb this greenhouse gas and when we burn our forests we add to the levels of greenhouse gases. However, when we plant trees we are increasing the capacity for the absorption of greater levels of the gas. It’s really clear what we need to do going forward and it is not the responsibility of one agency or one individual, it is everyone’s responsibility,” Headley said.

The agency is urging all Jamaicans to play their part this National Tree Planting Day, which is being held under the theme “Every Tree Counts: 1, 2, 3… Plant Yours Today”.

“Every year we make the call for individuals to get involved and plant trees and the call remains just as urgent today. We lose trees every year, whether as a result of forest fires, illegal cutting or a result of road and building construction. If we are to continue reaping the benefit that these trees provide at the national level, we have to continue planting to replace those that we have lost,” Headley said.

The agency noted that it began distribution of an assortment of free timber and ornamental seedlings on Monday to give individuals the opportunity to get involved.

Interested individuals may visit the agency’s nurseries at its head office at 173 Constant Spring Road; in Moneague, St Ann, adjacent to the JDF Camp; and Williamsfield, Manchester to collect seedlings for tree planting projects.

It said distribution will continue until Friday, October 12, however, there will be no distribution on Friday, October 5 to facilitate tree planting activities in observance of the day.