In celebrating the environment, UNDP South Sudan commemorated World Environment Day with a 15-tree planting event at the Naivasha Residence compound in Juba, which hosts UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, WHO, RWANDABATT and UNMISS DSRSG/UNRC.

Advancing this year's theme – Biodiversity, UNDP South Sudan recognizes that trees are an integral part of the earth's biodiversity. Trees provide a multitude of benefits, both long and short term. Apart from being attractive aesthetically, trees provide habitats for a diverse range of living species, conserve soil and water, facilitate carbon sequestration, enhance air quality and improve the urban heat island effect by reflecting sunlight and providing shade. Besides, the physical weight of a tree consists of approximately 50% carbon, as such trees have a substantial climate change mitigation effect when in high enough numbers.

Tree planting is indeed one of the most engaging, environmentally-friendly activities that people can take part in efforts to better the planet. Science has proven that trees have a positive impact on the mental wellbeing of humans. In line with this, the activity at the Naivasha Residence Compound-Juba in itself provided the much-needed social interaction that has been recently limited by the precautionary measures put in place to contain COVID-19 pandemic.

“Both above and below ground, trees are essential to the ecosystems in which they reside. They are a vital part of the biodiversity of the earth” Dr. Kamil Kamaluddeen - UNDP Resident Representative