A global coalition of municipalities have joined forces to improve forest management and fight climate change, both within and outside of their cities.
Cities4Forests, lead by the World Resources Institute (WRI), is a commitment by municipalities around the world to integrate forests and sustainable development into their city planning. Cities4Forests activates governments and urban residents politically, socially, and economically against deforestation and degradation of global forests.
Currently, 52 cities across 6 continents (Antarctica being the exception) have signed on to the global coalition. Member cities receive technical support on sustainable best-practices from WRI and their partners, as well as benefit from a network of like-minded innovative and sustainably focused cities.
People living in the concrete jungle are often insulated from the more obvious signs and effects of deforestation, and may not realize just how integral forests are to ensuring cities stay livable. But forests, both near and far, have considerable value for people in urban centres.
Cities4Forests organizes the significance of forests to cities into three broad categories -inner, nearby, and faraway forests- to illustrate for urbanites just how necessary forests are for health and well-being even in the safety of a big city.
Inner forests are the trees found within city limits. From the trees lining your street to parks throughout your neighbourhood, these inner forests have a bigger impact on residents’ lives than just offering a nice spot for a picnic. They shade roads, sidewalks, buildings and people from the sun helping everyone stay cool and reducing energy bills. Trees in the city also clean the air of toxins and pollutants like CO2, minimizing smog and supplying residents with fresh oxygen to breathe.
Forests just outside of the city limits are called nearby forests. These green spaces are your weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of living in the city. Even more importantly, forests surrounding the city limits reduce flooding and landslides while providing clean drinking water for people in town.
Faraway forests are further from cities and tend to be the main targets of deforestation. Despite their geographic distance, their impact on the lives of those in the city is incalculable. They sequester massive amounts of carbon, help generate rain for growing food, are essential for producing medicines and plant products, and host some 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity.
As the world’s population inevitably climbs and urban areas become more populated, recognizing the significance of forest coverage for those living in cities is critical. Currently 55% of the world’s population lives in an urban centre (more than 4 billion people). With a rapidly growing global population, that number will increase to nearly 70% by 2050.
With such large populations already, cities are major contributors to climate change and in many cases they have the most to lose.
The world’s biggest cities consume ⅔ of global electricity and contribute some 70% of global CO2 emissions. But with 90% of major cities on a coast, rising sea levels brought on by climate change threaten the viability of these cities in the future, putting 800 million people at risk of losing their homes.
Cities4Forests hopes to mitigate these effects by doing what is within their "power to reduce deforestation, restore forests (including more trees in cities)," raise awareness and "harness the power of forests to achieve climate goals.'
Coming up with effective public policy and innovative means of mitigating the impact cities have on the environment is a necessary next step for combating global warming. Ensuring forests remain intact, expand and thrive as cities grow means our planet will continue to provide us with a happy and healthy environment to live in. Cities4Forests, and other coalitions like it, take up this mantel and represent a welcome, positive initiative against deforestation.
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One Tree Planted, Inc.'s mission is to work with our partners to reforest our planet, empowering communities, and fostering a healthier, greener future. Financial and other information about our charity’s purpose, programs and activities can be obtained by contacting Leila Melody, Chief Financial Officer, 145 Pine Haven Shores Rd Ste 1000D Shelburne, VT 05482-7812 United States, 1-800-408-7850. If you are a resident of any of the following states, please review the relevant disclosure statement.
FLORIDA: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-HELP-FLA OR ONLINE AT www.fdacs.gov/ConsumerServices. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION #: CH66616
GEORGIA: The following information is available upon request: a full and fair description of the charitable program for which the solicitation campaign is being carried out and, if different, a full and fair description of the programs and activities of the charitable organization on whose behalf the solicitation is being carried out, and a financial statement or summary consistent with the financial statement required to be filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to Code Section 43-17-5.
MARYLAND: A copy of the current financial statement of One Tree Planted, Inc. is available by writing to One Tree Planted, Inc. at 145 Pine Haven Shores Rd Ste 1000D Shelburne, VT 05482-7812 United States, or by calling +18004087850. Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Maryland Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401, (410) 974-5534.
MICHIGAN: MICS No. 65659.
MISSISSIPPI: The official registration and financial information of One Tree Planted, Inc. may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1-888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement by the Secretary of State.
NEVADA: The state of incorporation of One Tree Planted, Inc. is Vermont. Contributions may be tax deductible pursuant to the provisions of Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.
NEW JERSEY: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING 973-504-6215 or 201-504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT https://njconsumeraffairs.nj.gov/public-charity-search-results REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT.
NEW YORK: A copy of the latest annual report may be obtained, upon request, by writing to One Tree Planted, Inc. at 145 Pine Haven Shores Rd Ste 1000D Shelburne, VT 05482-7812 United States, or from the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau, Attn: FOIL Officer, Department of Law, 120 Broadway – 3rd Floor, New York, New York 10271, (212) 416-8401 or https://ag.ny.gov/resources/organizations/charities-nonprofits-fundraisers
NORTH CAROLINA: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1-888-830-4989 (within North Carolina) or (919) 807-2214 (outside of North Carolina). The license is not an endorsement by the State.
OREGON: One Tree Planted, Inc. registration in no way constitutes or implies any endorsement, sanction, or approval of a solicitation, its purposes, the manner in which it is conducted, or of One Tree Planted, Inc. by the Attorney General or any other governmental agency or officer.
PENNSYLVANIA: The official registration and financial information of One Tree Planted, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
VIRGINIA: A financial statement is available from the State Office of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218 upon request.
WASHINGTON: The registration required by the Charitable Solicitation Act is on file with the Washington Secretary of State. Information relating to the financial affairs of One Tree Planted, Inc. is available by calling the Secretary of State at 360-725-0378 (the toll-free number for Washington residents is 800-332-4483).
WEST VIRGINIA: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, West Virginia 25305. Registration does not imply endorsement.
WISCONSIN: A financial statement of One Tree Planted, Inc. disclosing assets, liabilities, fund balances, revenue and expenses for the preceding fiscal year is available upon request.
CONTRIBUTIONS ARE DEDUCTIBLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW. REGISTRATION IN A STATE DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION OF ONE TREE PLANTED, INC. BY THE STATE.
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