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The inaugural 500 Million Tree Walk: A big success

While it has been a long, toilsome walk covering a distance of about 275 kilometres, the journey has been made lighter by the enthusiasm, passion and determination to succeed that powered the more than 60 men and women who took part in this noble initiative.

It became tougher and tougher as the walk progressed. But the resolve to complete the journey became stronger and stronger as the distance to be covered became shorter and shorter.

What kept and continues to keep the team going to this last day is not just the desire, the excitement and sense of fulfilment that comes with reaching the final point. It is more to do with getting the message across and be able to demonstrate that nothing is impossible: It can be done.

It also has something to do with creating the momentum to current and future efforts aimed at protecting Zimbabwe's thinning forests from those who seem to view this God-given resource wherever they find it as their enemy.

While the message is slowly filtering through, victory can only be achieved once the ideal has been achieved i.e. when Zimbabwe's forests have been restored.

PS 280 Students plant trees in their neighborhood

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Make your Christmas even greener!

For those of us trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle, this time of year poses yet another green dilemma. Which is more eco-friendly -- a real or artificial Christmas tree? One of the most common reasons for buying an artificial tree is longevity. Although artificial trees do last for years, eventually they are discarded and remain in a landfill forevermore. Fake trees are non-biodegradable; they never break down.

Part of what makes artificial trees so sturdy are the components used in their construction. PVC plastics are made from petroleum byproducts, heavy metals are used to stabilize the plastics and the metal branches are mined from the earth. In California, warning labels are even required on artificial trees to alert users of the potential risk of hazardous materials, including lead.

The idea of buying local and supporting area businesses doesn't apply to artificial trees. Most are made in China, shipped across the Pacific and then travel many more miles to reach their final destination.

Now, having pretty much bashed the argument in favor of artificial trees as better for the environment, I certainly respect that there are circumstances in which they are more appropriate for certain users. Moreover, if you already have one, discarding it prematurely is not environmentally responsible, either. However, when the opportunity presents itself, think twice before opting for artificial Christmas trees as the greener option, because they're not.

Contrary to a common misconception, live trees are a better environmental choice. While growing, they're absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, stabilizing soil and providing habitats for wildlife.