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Keep Calm and Plant Trees: Lessons from the Coronavirus

by Diana Chaplin ● June 04, 2021 ● 3 min read

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Keep Calm and Plant Trees: What We Learned From the Coronavirus

The last year has been one for the record books, and things may never be quite the same. But while the world was gripped by the Covid-19 pandemic, we couldn't help but feel inspired by the way the global community came together to address the crisis. People everywhere masked up, worked from home, learned how to use Zoom, gained new appreciation for essential workers, spent holidays away from loved ones, and did what they could to help and support each other.

Health and safety were of paramount importance, and we at One Tree Planted worked together with our planting partners to ensure that everyone was taking the necessary precautions to reduce the spread of the virus. But while we were all affected in both our personal lives and professional environments, we couldn't help but make the connection to the health of our planet.

And now that mass vaccination programs are rolling out and restrictions are easing in countries around the world, many of us are thinking about what environmental work will look like in a post-pandemic world. Because as the Coronavirus slowly subsides as a global threat, climate change is only getting more intense — and just as we all came together to address the virus, so too must we come together in force to address the crisis of a rapidly changing climate.

How You Can Help the Environment in a Post Pandemic World

1. Keep Calm and Plant Trees

Reforestation has been recognized as a top climate change solution, and now more than ever we need to work together to restore forests around the globe. When native trees are planted in the right places, they help address climate change by sequestering carbon in their roots, trunks and branches. They also increase climate change resilience by reducing ambient temperatures, slowing the flow of water through landscapes, absorbing pollutants, holding the soil together, providing food and habitat for biodiversity, and more!

2. Create a New Carbon Baseline

Decreased air travel may not have been great for the airline industry, but itwasgood for nature and demonstrated how quickly we could reduce carbon emissions if we treated climate change like the crisis it is. As the world begins to open back up, resist the urge to fly to all the places and consider traveling more sustainably if you can.

3. Enjoy and help to Clean Up the Great Outdoors

The pandemic lockdowns forced many people to reconnect with nature in a big way. After all, most outdoor activities are naturally COVID-safe and helped people to reduce stress and get out of their homes (and heads) even if just for a little while. Although you may no longer have as much time for those long hikes or glorious bike rides, try to get out there as much as you can. And to show your appreciation for Mother Nature's role in keeping you sane over the last 13 months, take a tote bag with you to pick up any trash you find along the way.

4. Eat What You Bought

On average, 30% of the food we purchase is wasted because we often stock up with the best of intentions, only to eat out meal after meal as the lettuce slowly wilts in the fridge. But 2020 saw a lot of us getting reacquainted with our kitchens as restaurants closed down and food costs skyrocketed. And while we encourage you to support your favorite restaurants as they reopen after a really tough year, we hope you'll keep some of those pandemic eating habits with you — like shopping more efficiently, eating at home more often, and actually consuming your leftovers. These simple habits will go a long way in reducing food waste and the methane that results from landfills.

5. Plan Your Next Sustainability Initiative

As the world slowly opens back up, it's a great opportunity to green up (or keep green) every area of your life. Individual actions like composting or recycling are fantastic, but what if you challenge yourself to think bigger? What more can you do with the skills, connections, or resources that you have? Can you give a presentation at your school, initiate a local tree planting, or start a massive campaign geared toward political leaders?

It’s also worth noting that deforestation, pollution, and the consumption of certain wildlife species helps create the conditions in which deadly diseases spread. The more we can restore and preserve biodiversity and adopt common sense consumption practices, the more we can maintain the health of the environment and ourselves. So let's all take what we learned from 2020 to come together and address the ongoing climate crisis — because just like the pandemic, it's not going to get better on its own.

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Fundraising Disclosures

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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Keep Calm and Plant Trees: Lessons from the Coronavirus

Get news, updates, & event Info delivered right to your inbox:

Keep Calm and Plant Trees: What We Learned From the Coronavirus

How You Can Help the Environment in a Post Pandemic World

1. Keep Calm and Plant Trees

2. Create a New Carbon Baseline

3. Enjoy and help to Clean Up the Great Outdoors

4. Eat What You Bought

5. Plan Your Next Sustainability Initiative

Get news, updates, & event Info delivered right to your inbox:

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How to Reduce Waste: 21 Ideas for Zero Waste Living

Fundraising Disclosures

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