Photographer And His Wife Plant 2 Million Trees In 20 Years To Restore A Destroyed Forest And Even The Animals Have Returned
According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, 129 million hectares of forest, an area almost equivalent in size to South Africa, have been lost from the Earth forever since 1990 due to deforestation. An area roughly the size of the country of Panama is being lost every year.
With some 15 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions come from deforestation, and countless species of plants and animals losing their habitats every single day. These are absolutely devastating figures for the health of our planet, and this rate of natural habitat destruction simply cannot be allowed to continue.
Image credits: Ricaro Beliel
But what to do in the face of such massive environmental carnage? It can make the individual feel small and helpless, as we ponder the impact that we can actually make. Will anything that we do make the slightest bit of difference? Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado and his wife Lélia Deluiz Wanick Salgado decided to show what a small group of passionate, dedicated people can do by turning deforestation on its head, and begin the process of reforestation.
Image credits: Sebastiao Salgado
Because really, Mother Nature is a hardy soul that will always find a way to bounce back, given the right conditions. Salgado is a renowned figure, having won nearly every major award in photojournalism and publishing more than a half-dozen books. Back in the 1990s, exhausted physically and emotionally after documenting the horrific barbarity of the Rwandan genocide, he returned home to his native area of Brazil, which was once covered in a lush tropical rainforest. He was shocked and devastated to find that the area was now barren from forest trees and devoid of wildlife, but his wife Lélia believed that it could be restored to its former glory.
Image credits: institutoterra
“The land was as sick as I was – everything was destroyed,” Salgado said in The Guardian back in 2015. “Only about 0.5% of the land was covered in trees. Then my wife had a fabulous idea to replant this forest. And when we began to do that, then all the insects and birds and fish returned and, thanks to this increase of the trees I, too, was reborn – this was the most important moment.”
Image credits: institutoterra
Together, Sebastião and Lélia founded Instituto Terra, a small organization that has since planted 4 million saplings and has brought the forest back from the dead. “Perhaps we have a solution,” Salgado said. “There is a single being which can transform CO2 into oxygen, which is the tree. We need to start tree planting on a massive scale. You need forest with native trees, and you need to gather the seeds in the same region you plant them or the serpents, and the termites won’t come. And if you plant forests that don’t belong, the animal population won’t grow, and the forest will be silent.”
Image credits: institutoterra
And so, after taking utmost care to ensure that everything planted is native to the land, the area has flourished remarkably in the ensuing 20 years. Wildlife has returned, where there was a deathly silence, there is now a cacophony of birdcalls and insects buzzing around.
Image credits: institutoterra
In all, some 172 bird species have returned, as well as 33 species of mammals, 293 species of plants, 15 species of reptiles and 15 species of amphibians, an entire ecosystem rebuilt from scratch.
Image credits: institutoterra
Image credits: Sebastião Salgado
The project has inspired millions by giving a concrete example of positive ecological action and showing how quickly the environment can recover with the right attitudes.
Image credits: Weverson Rocio
Image credits: Sebastião Salgado
“We need to listen to the words of the people on the land,” Salgado explained. “Nature is the earth and it is other beings and if we don’t have some kind of spiritual return to our planet, I fear that we will be compromised.”
Image credits: YASUYOSHI CHIBA
Here’s what people had to say about the amazing reforestation initiative
Looking for more good news? Check out how this guy cleaned up 20 years’ worth of litter from a beach in India
I learned about this in a documentary which follows the life of Sebastião Salgado. called The Salt of the Earth (2014). I highly recommend it, as it shows that this man has been full of compassion for his entire life, truly coming to love and understand everything that he put in front of his lens. Truly his life's work has gone beyond what seems possible for a single human being, and it should inspire us all to become better.
This. The land is all scarred from cattle paths. It's hard to come back from that. This is so great.
Load More Replies...I like it❣️. I do what I'm able by planting and caring for plants that🐦🦋🐝🐞 luv! And always plant native wildflowers around every year. It's not s Brazilian Rainforest. But I'm extra concerned about the continuation of the food chain. Anything with a gestation period is endangered because of pesticides. A healthy plant requires little when properly chosen, placed, and cared for. Hummingbirds too❣️
You can. I'm sure you live near somewhere that could use some more green.
Load More Replies...Everyone involved is a hero and their actions are a measure of how to be a successful person.
Amazing, wonderful people! Why can't governments and industry realise that a) it's so much more attractive b) it's so much better for the planet c) it's entirely possible.
"There is a single being which can transform CO2 to oxygen, which is the tree" Actually phytoplankton in the ocean produce more oxygen than trees do.
Glad to see so many of us get inspired by this story! My challenge to all of us who got energized by this: find a reputable charity who’s planting the right trees in the right way in the right places to combat climate change and give generously—today. Even better, donate to top rated environmental groups that take a comprehensive approach (EDF and NRDC are 2 examples) and get active in mobilizing others to do the same. I gave to a tree planting group last week and signed up the get more info on EDF today. What steps can you take today?
This is so cool! Since I don't think everyone can necessarily go out and plant a bunch of trees, you can download the Ecosia extension for your web browser and the ad revenue helps plant trees. So cool that things like these exist.
Help me plant 1 Billion trees. Donate Here: https://www.bapscharities.org/user/yuri4568/
I am impressed with his vision. It's something good to emulate in other parts of the world.
They did a great job, really, that's fantastic! It also shows how easy it is to restore natural vegetation. If a journalist with his very limited budget could do it for such an area, imagine how much more could be done with more people and more capital investment. The good news is that the entire planet has been greening significantly, since 1850, especially the arid regions, to a large extent thanks to the slight increase in CO2 - plants were really CO2-starved at under 400ppm. Deserts 'greening' from rising carbon dioxide: Green foliage boosted across the world's arid regions https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130708103521.htm I just wish people stopped believing that CO2 causes "climate change". As physicist, I know that this is utter nonsense. CO2 does not retain heat and the concept of "backradiation" would violate every principle of thermodynamics. A study over 425 million years shows that there's only a tiny negative correlation between CO2 and temperature.
The link to https://institutoterra.org/ in the article is broken and returns a 404. But the site is still active. I was hoping you may be able to update the links in the article so that people who'd like to donate can go right to their site. Amazing and wonderful people.
This is incredible. Thank you to Sebastião and Lélia for their persistent and hard work. Is there a way to contact them directly?
This is incredible. I would love to do something similar. Is there a way to contact them directly?
Fantastic - perhaps people in governments all over the world ought to take note!
While what Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado "and his wife" have created is an amazing gift for the earth and the species that live on it, I am nevertheless dumbfounded that in the year 2019 this article should be headlined by "Photographer And His Wife". Brazilian anthropologist and film producer Lélia Deluiz Wanick Salgado is hardly an "And His Wife". The editors of this piece need to go back to school. Shame on them.
Forest is a living thing it needs right type of food, minerals, water and sun to keep it alive just like humans and animals do!
This is clear evidence that we can restore the planet back to a healthy condition. So where are the rich and famous? They could use a small amount of their wealth to buy degraded land and pay people to restore it and help bring the planet back from the brink of total collapse which at the moment is not that far off.
I'm from Brazil, they get donations and a lot of people volunteer... But to further answer your question, they don't need to "buy" them, trees are not manufactured. They have over 2M trees to get plant seedlings.
Load More Replies...Where does all the trash go to and is it then disposed of properly?
Great job....inspiring couples I'm from India.. (Harish)....
I think they are wonderful and we could take a lesson from their example.
What a fantastic couple, they really put the governments of this world to shame. Everyone should plant a tree and grow flowers.
Today, on net, forests are returning to the world. Of course on local levels this may or may not be true, but on a global level it is. Efforts like these, smaller efforts, and just leaving land be is causing it to happen.
Wow these people are my heros! So happy to see this, and made me want to do similar here in Australia
It is possible, one tree at a time, one person, at a time.. we can do this together!
Good news! Some decent people corrected a problem that some psychopathic monsters created!
Damn shame trees are useless and don't give out wifi signals or donuts... just ya know... oxygen... the small little petty thing that is our shield from suffocation. The useless thing that keeps everything alive
Yesssss this is the content I come for!! I want things that put a smile on my face and make me happy!! Not all that "people clap back to antivaxxer" c**p!!
Agreed, but you have to admit that "c**p" you speak of is pretty funny
Load More Replies...Whoever paid for this reforestation was the VALE DO RIO DOCE, responsible for the two largest environmental disasters in Brazil that occurred in this same Brumadinho site in the Minas Gerais state. Such a matter is sad and also a true environmental lie, though, this really took place. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rompimento_de_barragem_em_Brumadinho
The corruption of governments in Latino America is killing the forests.
Shhh! Be quiet! Else, the trees will soon be cut again by the lodgers.
Well done. The initial state, however, is not restored by far. The report suggests that destroying nature is no problem, since it can be restored quickly. Nevertheless, it takes hundreds of years until the initial biodiversity may be reached - if ever.
We really are supposed to believe these two people planted 2,000,000 trees in 20 years? Don't let the facts get in the way of a good headline.
Did you even read the article!? The two of them started the project, and in time, people joined in. It's now over 2M trees, in 20 years. They didn't plant all of it by themselves, obviously.
Load More Replies...When you have good intentions everything is easy.
Load More Replies...I learned about this in a documentary which follows the life of Sebastião Salgado. called The Salt of the Earth (2014). I highly recommend it, as it shows that this man has been full of compassion for his entire life, truly coming to love and understand everything that he put in front of his lens. Truly his life's work has gone beyond what seems possible for a single human being, and it should inspire us all to become better.
This. The land is all scarred from cattle paths. It's hard to come back from that. This is so great.
Load More Replies...I like it❣️. I do what I'm able by planting and caring for plants that🐦🦋🐝🐞 luv! And always plant native wildflowers around every year. It's not s Brazilian Rainforest. But I'm extra concerned about the continuation of the food chain. Anything with a gestation period is endangered because of pesticides. A healthy plant requires little when properly chosen, placed, and cared for. Hummingbirds too❣️
You can. I'm sure you live near somewhere that could use some more green.
Load More Replies...Everyone involved is a hero and their actions are a measure of how to be a successful person.
Amazing, wonderful people! Why can't governments and industry realise that a) it's so much more attractive b) it's so much better for the planet c) it's entirely possible.
"There is a single being which can transform CO2 to oxygen, which is the tree" Actually phytoplankton in the ocean produce more oxygen than trees do.
Glad to see so many of us get inspired by this story! My challenge to all of us who got energized by this: find a reputable charity who’s planting the right trees in the right way in the right places to combat climate change and give generously—today. Even better, donate to top rated environmental groups that take a comprehensive approach (EDF and NRDC are 2 examples) and get active in mobilizing others to do the same. I gave to a tree planting group last week and signed up the get more info on EDF today. What steps can you take today?
This is so cool! Since I don't think everyone can necessarily go out and plant a bunch of trees, you can download the Ecosia extension for your web browser and the ad revenue helps plant trees. So cool that things like these exist.
Help me plant 1 Billion trees. Donate Here: https://www.bapscharities.org/user/yuri4568/
I am impressed with his vision. It's something good to emulate in other parts of the world.
They did a great job, really, that's fantastic! It also shows how easy it is to restore natural vegetation. If a journalist with his very limited budget could do it for such an area, imagine how much more could be done with more people and more capital investment. The good news is that the entire planet has been greening significantly, since 1850, especially the arid regions, to a large extent thanks to the slight increase in CO2 - plants were really CO2-starved at under 400ppm. Deserts 'greening' from rising carbon dioxide: Green foliage boosted across the world's arid regions https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130708103521.htm I just wish people stopped believing that CO2 causes "climate change". As physicist, I know that this is utter nonsense. CO2 does not retain heat and the concept of "backradiation" would violate every principle of thermodynamics. A study over 425 million years shows that there's only a tiny negative correlation between CO2 and temperature.
The link to https://institutoterra.org/ in the article is broken and returns a 404. But the site is still active. I was hoping you may be able to update the links in the article so that people who'd like to donate can go right to their site. Amazing and wonderful people.
This is incredible. Thank you to Sebastião and Lélia for their persistent and hard work. Is there a way to contact them directly?
This is incredible. I would love to do something similar. Is there a way to contact them directly?
Fantastic - perhaps people in governments all over the world ought to take note!
While what Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado "and his wife" have created is an amazing gift for the earth and the species that live on it, I am nevertheless dumbfounded that in the year 2019 this article should be headlined by "Photographer And His Wife". Brazilian anthropologist and film producer Lélia Deluiz Wanick Salgado is hardly an "And His Wife". The editors of this piece need to go back to school. Shame on them.
Forest is a living thing it needs right type of food, minerals, water and sun to keep it alive just like humans and animals do!
This is clear evidence that we can restore the planet back to a healthy condition. So where are the rich and famous? They could use a small amount of their wealth to buy degraded land and pay people to restore it and help bring the planet back from the brink of total collapse which at the moment is not that far off.
I'm from Brazil, they get donations and a lot of people volunteer... But to further answer your question, they don't need to "buy" them, trees are not manufactured. They have over 2M trees to get plant seedlings.
Load More Replies...Where does all the trash go to and is it then disposed of properly?
Great job....inspiring couples I'm from India.. (Harish)....
I think they are wonderful and we could take a lesson from their example.
What a fantastic couple, they really put the governments of this world to shame. Everyone should plant a tree and grow flowers.
Today, on net, forests are returning to the world. Of course on local levels this may or may not be true, but on a global level it is. Efforts like these, smaller efforts, and just leaving land be is causing it to happen.
Wow these people are my heros! So happy to see this, and made me want to do similar here in Australia
It is possible, one tree at a time, one person, at a time.. we can do this together!
Good news! Some decent people corrected a problem that some psychopathic monsters created!
Damn shame trees are useless and don't give out wifi signals or donuts... just ya know... oxygen... the small little petty thing that is our shield from suffocation. The useless thing that keeps everything alive
Yesssss this is the content I come for!! I want things that put a smile on my face and make me happy!! Not all that "people clap back to antivaxxer" c**p!!
Agreed, but you have to admit that "c**p" you speak of is pretty funny
Load More Replies...Whoever paid for this reforestation was the VALE DO RIO DOCE, responsible for the two largest environmental disasters in Brazil that occurred in this same Brumadinho site in the Minas Gerais state. Such a matter is sad and also a true environmental lie, though, this really took place. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rompimento_de_barragem_em_Brumadinho
The corruption of governments in Latino America is killing the forests.
Shhh! Be quiet! Else, the trees will soon be cut again by the lodgers.
Well done. The initial state, however, is not restored by far. The report suggests that destroying nature is no problem, since it can be restored quickly. Nevertheless, it takes hundreds of years until the initial biodiversity may be reached - if ever.
We really are supposed to believe these two people planted 2,000,000 trees in 20 years? Don't let the facts get in the way of a good headline.
Did you even read the article!? The two of them started the project, and in time, people joined in. It's now over 2M trees, in 20 years. They didn't plant all of it by themselves, obviously.
Load More Replies...When you have good intentions everything is easy.
Load More Replies...
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