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The UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) has announced that on November 28, over 1 billion trees - a target set by the United Nations - have been planted all over the world as a measure against global warming. Tree planting efforts on such a global scale first began when the Kenyan environmentalist and 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai encouraged all to take part in the regeneration of forests lost due to logging and slash and burn farming. This year, the momentum for such tree-planting efforts as a measure to prevent global warming has grown even stronger. Significant contributions by developing countries such as Ethiopia and Mexico have helped in reaching the goal.

Among such countries, Ethiopia has planted 700 million trees. Ethiopia has drastically lost their forests, due to greater need for firewood, and land for farming and grazing. The forests cover has shrunk in size; forests, which covered 40% of the land in the 20th century, now only cover 3% of the land. This gave rise to a nation-wide tree planting effort and lead to this large-scale planting.

Other large contributions were made from countries such as Mexico (217 million), Kenya (100 million), Cuba (96.5 million), and Rwanda (50 million).

"You responded beyond our dreams," said Ms. Maathai. "Now we must keep the pressure on and continue the good work for the planet. Plant another tree today in celebration."

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