EDITORIAL - Plant more fruit trees

The youth of Barbados have been encouraged to do their part to support the Million Trees for 2020 Project by planting a fruit tree or any other tree they can, and the wider Barbadian public has also been invited to help reach that target.

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, issued the call last year as she introduced the Million Trees for 2020 Project at the Daryll Jordan Secondary School in St. Lucy, where she told the students that she was starting the initiative with the youth there in the North and she was looking forward to others being part of the exercise. She meanwhile emphasised the value of planting
fruit trees, which could prove beneficial in the health and well-being of Barbadians.

This very week, a call was made for more Barbadians to engage in the exercise of tree planting, in keeping with the vision for We Gatherin’ 2020, to have over one million trees by the end of December. Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Santia Bradshaw, who is the Parliamentary Representative for St. Michael South East, queried whether the tree planting could take place even as locals engage in community clean-ups across the country.

Indeed, whilst there is much hype about “tree planting” in Barbados, there must be a greater focus on planting fruit trees, as this will contribute to food sovereignty and ensure that were are truly planting for the future. There are too many foreign fruits imported into Barbados and some of the youth have never been up close and personal with a cherry tree, a golden apple tree or even a sugar apple tree for that matter. Instead, they can identify foreign apples, grapes and pears and have acquired a taste for these. However, in times of plenty, food wise, we must prepare for times of famine, since we never know what may cripple us down the road when it comes to delivering food for all our citizens. Thus, a plan in hand is key.

That said, there are many benefits to planting trees in general. Information gathered from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), a non-profit organisation supporting tree care research around the world and dedicated to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees, suggests that there are many positives to having trees around.

In terms of the social benefits, we certainly like trees around us because they make life more pleasant. Indeed, we feel more serene, peaceful, restful, and tranquil in a grove of trees. We are “at home” there.

In terms of environmental benefits, trees alter the environment in which we live, by moderating climate, improving air quality, conserving water, and harbouring wildlife. Climate control is obtained by moderating the effects of sun, wind, and rain. We are cooler when we stand in the shade of trees and are not exposed to direct sunlight. Air quality can also be improved through the use of trees and shrubs.

Speaking to the economic benefits, direct benefits are usually associated with energy costs. Air-conditioning costs are lower in a tree-shaded home. Heating costs are reduced when a home has a windbreak. Trees increase in value from the time they are planted until they mature.

So you see, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to this whole discussion of trees and the planting of trees and the benefits they bring, and when fruit is added to the mix, the
food sovereignty aspect becomes a big benefit as well.