The nation of Pakistan has been enrolling workers laid off due to the CoVid-19 pandemic to work on their ‘10 Billion Trees Tsunami’ project. ‘The 10 Billion Trees Tsunami’, also known as ‘Plant for Pakistan’ is a project started by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan that aims to plant 10 billion trees in order to combat climate change. The project which started in 2018 hopes to reach its target by 2023.
Trees assist in the fight against global warming as they suck carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, carbon dioxide being the main greenhouse gas that traps the Sun’s heat and increases the Earth’s temperature. They also assist by fighting pollution and generating the oxygen which we all breath.
While due to the CoVid-19 pandemic, the tree planting project had to be temporarily halted it is now back in action thanks to many of the workers laid off from other roles. This has been a relief to many in a country with a limited welfare system, high levels of poverty and a large number of individuals working in the informal economic sector. Abdul Rahman a construction worker, told Reuters:
“Due to coronavirus, all the cities have shut down and there is no work. Most of us daily wagers couldn’t earn a living … all of us now have a way of earning daily wages again to feed our families.”
Great idea!
— Erik Solheim (@ErikSolheim) May 10, 2020
Pakistan 🇵🇰 is paying people out of work in the pandemic for planting trees 🌳. Triple win - good for climate, good for nature, good for jobs!
pic.twitter.com/j4VX3oCCXq
While Mr Rahman’s wages, 500 rupees ($3) are around half what he would make on a good day as a construction worker he is grateful for the position given the ongoing situation.
Mr Rahman isn’t the only one to benefit from the project. The reforestation program is expected to create a further 63,000 jobs. While it is great that the project is hiring workers, especially ones to do such a noble environmental task, it is scant relief to the approximately 19 million Pakistani workers laid off due to CoVid-19.
Malik Amin Aslam, a climate change advisor to the Prime Minister, stated in regards to the job creation program:
“This tragic crisis provided an opportunity and we grabbed it … nurturing nature has come to the economic rescue of thousands of people.”
It is believed that the project, like the rest of society, will enforce strict social distancing regulations and that personal protective equipment (PPE) will be given out to all workers. CoVid-19 has made itself known in Pakistan with 42,000 confirmed cases and over 900 deaths to date, therefore it is essential for the workers to maintain proper standards.
We hope the tree planting project gets up to speed again soon and that all the other Pakistani workers can return safely to their work.
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