It’s no secret that Haiti’s forest cover has been decimated in recent years.
But a new coalition is looking to reforest the country with an initiative called “Haiti Takes Root.”
Spearheaded by Sean Penn and his J/P Haitian Relief Organization, along with funders including former French Presidential Candidate Segolene Royale, the plan seeks to reforest the country over the next 10 years.
The project was announced at the recent COP21 climate change talks in Paris.
The goal of the project is to “restore the productivity and ecological services of the land by reestablishing tree cover, ultimately improving the economy, livelihood and natural habitat of Haiti, as well as making it more resilient to damaging effects of climate change,” according to a statement from J/P HRO.
“I’ve been working on the ground in Haiti with people who are heroic to me,” Penn said. “This is our chance to help these heroes. We must take this historic opportunity at a time when the world is focused on addressing climate change, and give the people of Haiti the chance to rebuild their country.”