YEREVAN — As part of the global 350 climate change campaign, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) worked with the Young Armenian Scholars NGO and Agricultural Development Program to plant 350 pine seedlings in northern Armenia. The tree-planting campaign was held on October 24 in the village of Jrashen in the Lori region.
“We formed a group of 40 students from four secondary schools — all of them are members of Eco-Clubs in their schools — along with teachers and staff of the partnering organizations to supervise the initiative,” noted ATP Yerevan Director Mher Sadoyan. “Participants planted 350 trees on a hillside at one of ATP’s newly-established forests.”
We were proud to represent Armenia in this international 350 movement to raise awareness of climate change. This campaign was initiated by activists and scientists concerned about rising levels of carbon dioxide that is causing climate change globally and even in Armenia, where we are witnessing more weather extremes and drier weather that has implications for forests and agriculture,” explained Sadoyan.
“Activists all over the world planned actions on this day to let global leaders know that carbon dioxide concentrations in our
atmosphere need to be lowered to 350 parts per million, or scientists predict we will face climate changes that could lead to widespread disruptions for people and ecosystems,” added Sadoyan.
Armenia was represented by Armenia Tree Project, the Young Armenian Scholars NGO, and the Agricultural Development Program, all of which have been active in the environmental, educational and agricultural spheres. The United Nations Development Program supported the event as part of its initiative on “Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia,” and volunteers from Birthright Armenia also planted trees with the schoolchildren.
“We speak about climate change but unfortunately not much is being implemented to fight against it. We are thankful to ATP for such a great initiative. I’m happy today to see the enthusiasm of schoolchildren planting trees,” stated biology teacher Nvard Gevorgyan.
