Tree Planting Exercise at St. Mark Church Of Uganda Rotary Vijana Poa Centre

The environmental tide is turning; we need to act quickly, ambitiously, and sustainably. We need to act together!

In a world where the effects of climate change and environmental degradation are increasingly apparent, the call to undertake meaningful action has never been more urgent. At the St. Mark C.O.U Rotary Vijana Poa Centre in Sekiwunga, the Rotaract Club of Akright City, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Akright City, has taken a significant step in response to District 9214 Governor Agnes Batenga's call to "Plant The Balance." As a centerpiece of this project, we are planting native tree species that will act as natural carbon absorption barriers at this center.

Trees play a critical role in absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, a natural process that not only helps reduce greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere but also enhances the planet’s ability to support diverse ecosystems. This is a nature-based solution aimed at addressing climate change and promoting environmental sustainability.

But the vision extends beyond the trees themselves. St. Mark C.O.U Rotary Vijana Poa Centre is also set to become home to a plastic recycling facility. Plastic pollution is a persistent problem and as Susan Freinkel writes in her book A Toxic Love Story, plastic is a "menace of modern life" that won’t dissolve or rust or break down, at least not in any useful time frame, considering it takes an estimated 450 years for a plastic bottle to break down and 81% of tap water around the world is contaminated with microplastics. This is a stark reality.

By planting native tree species at this center, we are tackling two critical environmental challenges simultaneously. This innovative addition demonstrates that economic growth and environmental protection can go hand-in-hand. This plant will create green jobs and protect the environment sustainably boosting the local economy.

As we commemorate 100 years of Rotary in Africa this year by “Planting The Balance”, the Rotaract Club of Akright City and the Rotary Club of Akright City are leading by example as environmental stewards, demonstrating that with a collaborative approach—the mentality required to achieve magical things—we can make a significant difference. This tree planting activity is a step towards a sustainable future, where natural carbon absorption barriers play a pivotal role in combating climate change and promoting a healthier environment, on which we are utterly dependent.

Together, we are curating the balance that our environment needs to support our livelihoods and those of future generations.

Special thanks go out to the following Rotarians for participating in this event: