In the recent past, it has become crystal clear that climate change poses a threat to human life. Deforestation is a major driver of the changes we are experiencing. Research indicates that over the decade since 2010, the net loss in forests globally was 4.7 million hectares per year. However, deforestation rates were significantly higher.

The UN FAO estimates that 10 million hectares of forest are cut down each year.

Deforestation causes the loss of habitat for millions of species and is also a driver of climate change. Trees act as a carbon sink: that is, they absorb carbon dioxide, an unwanted greenhouse gas, out of the atmosphere. Removing trees releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and leaves behind fewer trees to absorb the increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air. In this way, deforestation exacerbates climate change. When trees are removed from forests, the soils tend to dry out because there is no longer shade, and there are not enough trees to assist in the water cycle by returning water vapour back to the environment. With no trees, landscapes that were once forests can potentially become barren deserts. The tree’s roots also help to hold the soil together, so when they are removed, mudslides can also occur. The removal of trees also causes extreme fluctuations in temperature.

Although measures are being taken towards reafforestation it is important to sensitize our communities on the importance of planting trees and coexisting with them. We as human beings need food and shelter for our survival it is therefore crucial to find a solution where humans and our trees coexist peacefully. Agroforestry can be used effectively as a restorative measure. Agroforestry plays a crucial role in environmental restoration by promoting biodiversity, improving soil health, mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration, and providing habitat for wildlife. It combines agricultural crops or livestock with trees and shrubs in a symbiotic system that mimics natural ecosystems. This approach helps to restore degraded lands, prevent erosion, enhance water quality, and contribute to sustainable land management practices. Agroforestry also provides economic benefits to farmers by diversifying their income sources and increasing resilience to climate variability. Overall, agroforestry is an effective tool for restoring and sustaining healthy ecosystems while supporting human livelihoods as well as promotes food security.

AEN Kenya is dedicated to promoting agroforestry and restoring our ecosystem, with over 25,000 trees planted in schools, river banks and agricultural lands and 500 farmers trained in agroforestry we are committed to bringing about change. Our tree planting initiative is supported by a dedicated tree nursery which has a capacity of about 100,000 trees.