LET THERE BE FOREST UNDER THE TREE

LET THERE BE FOREST UNDER THE TREE

On the other side of the window, snow falls like swan feathers, drifting in lazy large eyes. Peace. The dirt of the big city is covered by whiteness. The street, the square, the air are clean. It feels as if we are living normally, just like decades ago, when at this time of year, the most observant student would shout, “Snow!!!”, and the whole class would rush to the windows, leaving everything behind.

Such experiences are becoming rarer. While here the snowfall changes pace and begins to pour down, the Arctic ice sea has shrunk from 6 million km2 to below 4 over the last four years, the last time I saw cotton balls falling from the sky from my desk. Twenty-one times the size of Hungary, often 10-20-30 meters thick ice masses have melted into the world’s oceans. Just as much less white surface reflects the sun’s rays from the Earth’s surface and absorbs the incoming heat. The process is not linear but exponential. There is no scientist who can accurately predict what will come of this.

But now, let us rejoice in the snow! It is beautiful and atmospheric. Precipitation, a blessing, which may seem like too much, but in this drying Carpathian Basin landscape, it will not be for a long time. We, the 10 million Tree Planters, are already preparing for Christmas, although there is still a lot to plant before then. We await the holiday because, like the snow now, it promises Peace, a few days of relaxation, family, and laughter.

What could be the best gift? – we ask ourselves this question year after year. Another pile of socks and ties for dad, a blender or colorful tights for mom? Wouldn’t it be better to give something that transcends the tedious decisions, the routine, and is good for both the giver and the receiver, and beneficial for everyone living on this Earth?

For years, we at 10 Million Trees have lived with the offer to give a tree as a gift. Not just the orphan sapling grown for this purpose in the Zala pine plantations, but a drought-resistant native tree that, when planted, can commemorate this Christmas even 100-150 years from now.

However, for some time now, we have raised the stakes and the level. The dramatically changing reality demands it from us. One tree is not enough! Perhaps as a gift, but from the perspective of climate and biodiversity protection, it is now insufficient. Only those who seriously and responsibly look to the future buy a forest. Right now, we are planting trees in Monorierdő, and those who wish to plant a tree under the tree today will have their forest planted by us together there.

It is not true that you cannot see the forest for the tree! You can, and you must. It is not true that a forest cannot fit under a tree. Trust in 10 Million Trees and make an experiment! Buy a forest for yourself, for your children, for the future, for your homeland. You name the beneficiary, yet we will all enjoy the blessing of your decision.

Our campaign related to this will start in the coming days; we are still negotiating with the little angels. In the meantime, you can inquire at 10milliofa@10milliofa.hu.

Let there be Forest under the Tree! Merry Christmas!