‘Plant trees to fight climate change’

The Department of Forestry says lack of balance between the cutting down of trees and replanting them is the main cause of climate change in the country.

Deputy Director of Forestry Thomas Makhambera said people should ensure that they plant more trees for each one they cut down.

“The problem of deforestation is not about cutting down trees for charcoal. Rather, it is replanting those trees that have been cut and there is no problem when there is a balance (between cut and replanted trees),” said Makhambera.

He said this recently in Mzuzu during a workshop on mainstreaming climate change issues in forestry organised by Improved Forestry Management for Sustainable Livelihood, funded by the European Union (EU).

The workshop brought together officials from implementing districts of Chitipa, Karonga, Rumphi, Mzimba, Kasungu, Ntchisi, Ntcheu, Dedza, Machinga, Zomba, Chikhwawa and Nsanje.

Makhambera said the officials will help solicit funds to fight climate change effects in the country.

According to the sector survey by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), a US State Department, and Greenpeace, energy supply is the main culprit in greenhouse gases.

The survey says energy supply contributes 25.9 percent, seconded by industry which contributes 19.4 percent.

This is followed by forestry with 17.4 percent, agriculture 13.5 percent, transport 13.1, buildings 7.9 and waste and waste water 2.8 percent.

Makhambera said in addition to planting more trees, people should invest in improved cooking stoves which use less firewood or charcoal.