Ethiopia is currently in the middle of a campaign to plant four billion trees between May and October and it looks like they're well on their way as people living there have planted more than 350 million in just one single day.
The enormous amount of trees were apparently planted by Monday evening which is believed to have been a record breaking amount and one that also surpassed their initial goal to plant 200 million.
The Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, tweeted on Monday morning saying: "Today Ethiopia is set in our attempt to break the world record together for a green legacy. The 12hr countdown has begun."
Six hours in and they tweeted again saying: "Ethiopia the six hour result shows we're halfway to our goal. Congratulations for this milestone as we all #PlantOurPrint for a #GreenLegacy. Let's build on the momentum in the remaining hours."
Advert
At the end of the day, a final tweet came commending the work that was put in.
According to the Independent, the tree-planting initiative is part of the prime minister's plan to help restore the country's landscape, which experts say is quickly being eroded by deforestation and climate change.
The previous world record for the most trees planted in a day was 50 million and it has been held by India since 2016, reports the Guardian. What d'ya know, there's literally a record for everything.
Advert
Speaking to the Guardian, Dr Dan Ridley-Ellis, the head of the centre for wood science and technology at Edinburgh Napier University, said: "Trees not only help mitigate climate change by absorbing the carbon dioxide in the air, but they also have huge benefits in combating desertification and land degradation, particularly in arid countries."
He continued: "They also provide food, shelter, fuel, fodder, medicine, materials and protection of the water supply.
"This truly impressive feat is not just the simple planting of trees, but part of a huge and complicated challenge to take account of the short - and long-term needs of both the trees and the people.
Advert
"The forester's mantra 'the right tree in the right place' increasingly needs to consider the effects of climate change, as well as the ecological, social, cultural and economic dimension."
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: World News, News
