18 January 2024, Siniloan, Laguna, Sierra Madres.  As a result of their unified environmental campaign, Digital Edge Philippines Inc. conduced a tree planting of 200 seedlings with their 25 volunteers in Laguna Quezon Land Grant, specifically planting native trees: Malaruhat (50), Bani (50), Lipote (50) and Palong Maria (50).

“At Digital Edge we have embedded ESG principles in our business from day one and are committed to empowering our teams to take action and deliver a positive impact in the communities in which we operate. We are delighted to partner with FEED in our first tree-planting activity in the Philippines in recognition of the vital importance of environmental stewardship. Reforestation is not merely about offsetting carbon emissions; it’s about restoring ecosystems, preserving biodiversity, and fostering resilience in the face of climate change. Every tree planted in a forest is a beacon of conservation and a symbol of our dedication to build a more sustainable future.”  – Vic Barrios, President, Digital Edge Philippines

GPS Coordinates:

The following forest guardians typically spend  their 6-day workdays patrolling the Laguna Quezon Land Grant, an over 9,000 hectare protected forest managed by the University of the Philippines  (UP), relegated to UPLB – with who FEED has held a decades long partnership for Reforestation.

Acnowledgments to our staunch and always present forest guardians: Randy Velina, Rowel Doria, Rodante Rasay, Teofilo Breganza, Lester Ravisa and Renato de Leon, and Jimlee Ortega.

FEED considers 3 major factors when designing and implementing a collaborative tree-planting activity with the public at large, whether for public/private oranizations, schools or individuals:

1. It is necessary to only plant native/indigenous/endemic trees because these species are already adjusted to the local climate and pest resilience in that particular  location;
2. FEED conducts planting only on site with constant and committed displays of strong local community involvement and leadership. Aside from the direct ecological benefits, this also serves as an alternative livelihood for local communities; and
3. Tree planting is one of the easiest things to carry out, but the maintenance of  seedlings anywhere from 3-5 years onwards, as well as their protection and ensuring their survival requires special attention, patience and skills.  FEED also continues to study and research and be prepared for shifting planting seasons, as it is very beneficial to plant during the rainy season due to high survival of the seedlings. High humidity level and rain lessen the mortality rate of the planted trees in their infancy and youth.

Nature and forests are highly likely to survive without any human intervention, but through the collaboration by Digital Edge Philippines, Inc. with FEED – and partner University of the Philippines (UP) Laguna Quezon Land Grant Management Office – we are together able to facilitate the forest’s faster recovery; hoping also that our efforts will increase awareness among fellow Filipinos – again at the individual level but also at the corporate and organisational leadership levels across the country. By doing so, we stand a solid chance to recover unprotected coastlines, rivers and the respective Bantay Dagat and Gubat (Sea to Summit) communities that dwell there and provide our water and food security, not to mention our safety.

It is high time to urgently face the real-world issue of climate change.  Majority of Philippine forest cover is gone because of illegal logging, slash and burn practices, and the lack of sustainable livelihood opportunities not only for forest dwellers, but others seeking to subsist in and from (typically poorly managed and patrolled) forests due to limited life options elsewhere.

Climate change impacts our daily lives and health, from the severe melting of polar ice caps contributing towards rising sea levels, up to coastal erosion and total ecosystem collapse. As habitants, one must adapt and cope with the new reality of climate extremities; dry seasons are getting unbearably hotter, while drought seasons seem to be lasting  longer. Typhoons strengthen every year and earthquakes are not only more frequent, but intensified too. The impacts of natural calamities thus are projected to worsen, at the same time that our water and food resources are compromised and unevenly dispersed around the world.

Though tree planting cannot immediately stop climate change, it can reduce the rate of its progression and encourage more community and collaborative action from all walks of life – through proactive participation in and supporting environmental initiatives and monitoring our ecological awareness, footprints and consumer choices.

Thank you Digital Edge Philippines Inc. for your commitment to caring for a better planet for all – May the Forest be with you always!

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About Digital Edge Philippines Inc.

“At Digital Edge we have embedded ESG principles in our business from day one and are committed to empowering our teams to take action and deliver a positive impact in the communities in which we operate. We are delighted to partner with FEED in our first tree-planting activity in the Philippines in recognition of the vital importance of environmental stewardship. Reforestation is not merely about offsetting carbon emissions; it’s about restoring ecosystems, preserving biodiversity, and fostering resilience in the face of climate change. Every tree planted in a forest is a beacon of conservation and a symbol of our dedication to build a more sustainable future.” -Vic Barrios, President, Digital Edge Philippines

For more details, visit: /www.digitaledgedc.com/about

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.

© Fostering Education & Environment for Development, Inc.