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Philippines Passes Law Requiring Students To Plant 10 Trees

by viralbandit May 31, 2019, 5:36 am 1k Views

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Graduation Legacy for the Environment Act Philippines

Stock Photos from A3pfamily/Shutterstock

Environmental issues are at the forefront of many people’s’ minds, but it’s the younger generation who is particularly concerned about the future of our planet. From global school strikes for climate change action to amazing teen activists, kids are now having to take it into their own hands to ensure they will grow up in a sustainable world. In an effort to foster this love and care for the earth, a new bill has been passed in the Philippines that requires students to plant 10 trees each before graduating.

The Graduation Legacy for the Environment Act was introduced by congressman Gary Alejano in 2016 in a bid to promote “inter-generational responsibility” for the environment. On May 15, 2019 it was officially passed, marking a huge step in the right direction towards a healthy planet.

The Philippines has lost more than 30% of its forest cover due to illegal logging, but the new bill means that the younger generation can help to reverse the issue. Under the new initiative, 175 million new trees could be planted by students each year. If only 10% of them survive, that means that 525 billion trees could flourish over the course of one generation. According to the details outlined in the bill, the rule applies to all students in order to graduate primary school, high school, and college. Trees can be planted in either forests, mangroves, reserves, urban areas, abandoned mining sites, or in indigenous territory.

You can find out more about the Graduation Legacy for the Environment Act here.