24 September 2023, Hagonoy, Bulacan – report communicated and written by Natalia “Nats” Sali, FEED Ambassador; Founder of One Child, One Tree.
On September 24, 2023, Cathay Pacific celebrated its 77th year anniversary in the Philippines. What better way to celebrate it than planting mangroves?
Youth volunteers and members of the Hagonoy Fish Farmers Producers Cooperative (HFFPC) San Sebastian chapter led by Mr. Ireneo Pascual, Sr., or ‘Ka Macho’ as he is fondly called planted 1,500 mangroves in the Hagonoy Mangrove Sanctuary to commemorate Cathay Pacific’s anniversary. The partnership with Cathay Pacific and FEED, OCOT’s partner NGO since 2017, once again proved that private companies, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), and local communities can join hands in saving our environment.
The support by Cathay Pacific is a testament to their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) advocacy which, among others, focuses on mitigating climate change by promoting biodiversity and supporting community efforts in the conservation of natural resources. This is not the first time they funded a planting event. In April of 2023, they planted their first 8,000 mangroves with OCOT and FEED as a result of their successful “One Ticket, One Tree” campaign.
Planting is an important part of the mangrove reforestation program in Hagonoy but equally important is the monitoring and nurturing of the mangroves. Part of Cathay Pacific’s support is some funding for quarterly monitoring of the mangroves with the help of our local fisherfolks.
The increasing sea water level, surges of water and wind during the Habagat season, and frequent flooding in Hagonoy affect people’s social and economic well-being. The mangrove reforestation program hopes to contribute to lessening the impact of climate change natural hazards on people’s lives and livelihood sources.
As Cathay Pacific’s motto says, ‘Move Beyond’, OCOT and FFED, our youth volunteers and local fisherfolks worked together towards a successful mangrove reforestation program, leading to a better life for all.
Congratulations on your 77th anniversary Cathay Pacific, May the Forest be with you always!
GPS Coordinates & Site Pictures
Use any GPS (Global Positioning System) software / applications to input the latitude and longitude coordinates to be able to remotely see the location of your trees planted. Some examples include:
- https://www.gps-coordinates.net
- https://gps-coordinates.org
- https://www.maps.ie/coordinates.htmlhttp://www.mapcoordinates.net/en
Photo Collage
Related Article:
About the Cathay Pacific Group
Together, leading the way for a sustainable future
We’re committed to adopting sustainable practices that safeguard the future of our planet, and we’re proud to be ramping up our role in the fight against climate change. As an airline, we take our responsibility to protect the environment and work for sustainable development seriously. We’re committed to a carbon neutral future, and we are ramping up our efforts to fight climate change with strong sustainability practices which guide our operations and resourcing.
We’re also dedicated to serving our communities, both in Hong Kong and across the globe, and protecting the natural habitat from exploitation.
Learn more about Cathay Pacific’s approach to sustainable development and climate change here: https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_PH/about-us/sustainability-old2.html
On Carbon Sequestration – How Much CO2 can our trees absorb?
Trees are often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth” as they are able to store carbon and produce oxygen, which is essential to many life forms. Trees also stabilise soil and reduce air temperature and humidity, whilst also reducing flooding and improving water quality. Without trees, most fauna and flora would not survive, what more humans?
It is widely accepted that a typical tree can absorb around 22 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year when in fully grown status, meaning that saplings, seedlings and younger trees – whether mangroves or primary or secondary forest trees – absorb around half, so conservatively say 11 kgs per year (also widely used by most international forestry agencies around the world).
So, over a lifetime of a tropical tree (100 years), one tree can absorb around 1 tonne of CO2. Although this figure seems large, it should be measured in perspective: to date we humans generate around 40 billions tonnes of CO2 each year on Earth. Which means, that we need to plant 40 billion trees annually to offset these emissions.
NATURE IS SPEAKING (Narrated by Julia Roberts)
What can I do to stop climate change?
“As the world warms, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, sea levels are rising, prolonged droughts are putting pressure on food crops, and many animal and plant species are being driven to extinction. It’s hard to imagine what we as individuals can do to resolve a problem of this scale and severity.
The good news: We are not alone. People, communities, cities, businesses, schools, faith groups and other organizations are taking action. We’re fighting like our lives depend on it — because they do.
In a world of more than seven billion people, each of us is a drop in the bucket. But with enough drops, we can fill any bucket.” – David Suzuki
Check out some of the ways you can take more climate change action.
For example, Climate Action groups are the local solution to a global crisis. Right now people just like you are coming together to develop practical, local solutions and make their towns and cities more climate-friendly. Are you ready to join them? Find out what’s happening near you.
More here: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate-change/what-can-I-do-to-stop-climate-change
Contact FEED
In 2015, the Philippine government submitted to the United Nations the country’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The country committed to reduce its carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030. The carbon dioxide reductions will come from the sectors of energy, transport, waste, forestry and industry. Join us! Help us reverse the Earth’s “hothouse climate” tipping point.
Tree-Planting with FEED
Contact us at FEED for more details, to join our regular activities or to design your own tree-nurturing event: info@feed.org.ph or call/text +63 (0)917 552 4722.
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