More trees need to be planted across Barbados to improve the island’s carbon footprint, the European Union’s envoy here said on Friday as Barbados observed World Arbour Day with the planting of 30 trees at the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary.
The planting also formed part of celebrations marking 50 years since the EU established an office here.
Sustainability remains at the core of the bloc’s policies, said EU Ambassador to Barbados Fiona Ramsey, as she touted Europe’s role in climate change policy and action around the world.
The planting of just one tree out of several being planting around the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary. (Photo Credit: Lourianne Graham/Barbados TODAY)
She said: “We have global leadership, I think, on climate change policy, green climate financing and partnerships that deliver results in terms of decarbonising fuels and value chains, protecting biodiversity and managing coastal areas.”
Ramsey described the tree-planting exercise as a practical contribution to preserving Barbados’ environment.
Staff of the European Union Barbados Office participating in the planting activities. (Photo Credit: Lourianne Graham/Barbados TODAY)
“As we plant these trees and, well, soon to be trees and bushes, I’m delighted that we can, in a very modest but very personal and tangible way, as the European Union delegation here, contribute to the preservation of Barbados’ natural heritage, showcased through the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary.”
She underscored the importance of such initiatives to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean:
“Our small and, I would say, modest contribution today is to help increase the tree coverage in the sanctuary by planting a number of indigenous species. And that’s part of the recognition of the important role that trees play in our environment, both in terms of protecting the Earth, but also in improving human health and well-being.”
In 2019, Prime Minister Mia Mottley set a target to plant one million trees across Barbados. Ramsey said this magnifies the necessity of such efforts to the “resilience, economic stability and long-term prosperity” of small island developing states like Barbados.
Referring to global environmental developments, EU Ambassador noted that these highlight the urgency of the climate crisis. “Rising temperatures, extreme weather events and environmental pressures; all of these are not distant concerns, they are immediate, everyday concerns that demand action.”
Ramsey also raised concern about the cutting down of trees for commercial and housing developments.
“The prime minister’s ambition to plant a million trees is, I think, a very laudable one because tree coverage is particularly important for small island developing states in terms of protecting the soil, acting as carbon sinks and also increasing biodiversity by providing wildlife habitats.”
She stressed the need for a more deliberate and sustained approach to replanting:
“It is very important to maintain trees in the natural environment, but also to continually renew the tree stock as trees die. And that is what we’re doing here today: planting new trees. They will take time to reach maturity, but over that lifetime, they will provide many beneficial results and impacts for Barbados.”
The EU also plans to partner with other organisations across the island to plant up to 50 trees.
Geoffrey Roach, Graeme Hall’s general manager, highlighted the benefits of tree planting in boosting carbon capture:
European Union Ambassador to Barbados, Fiona Ramsey and General Manager of the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary, Geoffrey Roach. (Photo Credit: Lourianne Graham/Barbados TODAY)
“The Graeme Hall space is an environmentally conscious space and the carbon reserves here at Graeme Hall are significant. While we welcome the opportunity with the EU to increase that through the planting of some trees and other decorative plants today, we want to encourage all Barbadians to be aware and be conscious about the importance of meeting our carbon footprint.”
Roach also pointed to the need for increased planting amid ongoing development:
“As you look across the country, you realise that there is a lot more housing development taking place, which means that we lose some trees. In the interest of preserving that, we definitely need to take a more conscious approach to expanding biodiversity through more tree planting.”
The sanctuary intends to deepen collaboration with other organisations on environmental initiatives, he added.“There are many persons who have approached us and there are many more whom we’re looking to speak to as well, not just on, you know, tree planting, but on a diverse range of things.”
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