Tree Army

Good News Good Planet

For more delicious news, go to www.GoodNewsGoodPlanet.com, and scroll to bottom for more ways to find the feel good stuff!* AN ARMY OF TREES While a beautiful and mysterious country, China is also known for the blanket of smog that overcomes its cities on a regular basis. Its air pollution alone is attributed to causing over a million premature deaths per year. In an effort to combat their high levels of air pollution and reduce their carbon footprint, the People’s Liberation Army has deployed over 60,000 soldiers to plant trees and create new forests. China plans to grow over 32,400 square miles of forest, which is equivalent to the size of Utah. The goal is to increase their forestation rates from 21.7% to 23% by the end of the decade, and up to 26% by the end of 2035. A majority of the soldiers will work in the heavily polluted Hebei Province, where there are three new forests planned. Hebei is well known for producing the fumes and smog that often blanket Beijing and Northern China. In addition to planting trees, China has also worked to lessen its dependency on coal in recent years, and is looking towards renewable energy sources, by making considerably large investments in the research and implementation of solar and wind technologies. China is also an emerging world leader in the development of electric cars. Zhang Jianlong, head of China’s State Forestry Administration, says "Companies, organizations and talent that specialize in greening work, are all welcome to join in the country's massive greening campaign." He also went on to say that "Cooperation between government and social capital will be put on the priority list.” This new Chinese green army is setting an extraordinary example of the positive actions that can be accomplished with military might, by fighting for the planet, peacefully and with a loving consciousness to our Mother Earth. #### *Hungry for more of the Good Stuff? Search "Good News Good Planet" on YouTube, Instagram, Patreon, Alexa and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.