Addressing the Threats of Global Warming and Forest Destruction: Carbon Nature and UGM Encourage Elementary School Students to Plant Trees for the Earth

The Threat of Global Warming and Forest Destruction

Getas-Ngandong, September 20, 2025 – Global warming is becoming increasingly urgent with rising global temperatures, triggering floods, droughts, and extreme storms. This phenomenon further highlights the importance of concrete actions to preserve the environment. Forest destruction due to land conversion contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, threatening the balance of ecosystems and sustainability. This situation calls for collaboration among various parties to reduce the negative impact on the earth.

As a tropical country with vast forests and high biodiversity, Indonesia plays an important role in reducing GHG emissions through forest conservation and ecosystem restoration to preserve water, protect biodiversity, and reduce the risk of disasters. These efforts are not only important for Indonesia, but also for the world, given that Indonesia’s tropical forests are one of the world’s lungs that are vital in absorbing carbon dioxide.

Synergy for Nature

In support of concrete actions for forest conservation, Carbon Nature, in collaboration with Gadjah Mada University (UGM), organized a tree-planting and environmental education activity in the Getas-Ngandong Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK) on Saturday, September 20, 2025. This activity involved students from Tlogotuwung Elementary School and Getas Elementary School as an important part of fostering environmental awareness from an early age. Through the active participation of children, it is hoped that a new generation that cares about and is responsible for nature conservation will emerge.

Carbon Nature promotes a nature-based solutions approach, which are climate change mitigation solutions based on nature. The organization encourages concrete reforestation actions involving various parties, including local communities and the younger generation, so that environmental conservation can become a sustainable collective movement. This approach has proven effective in reducing carbon emissions while strengthening ecosystem resilience in various regions.

On the other hand, Gadjah Mada University, through its Forest Product Harvesting Laboratory, acted as the initiator of the activity. UGM not only provided the location for the Getas-Ngandong KHDTK, but also facilitated collaboration between academics, practitioners, and local communities. For UGM, universities have an important role not only in education and research, but also in concrete actions that have a direct impact on society and the environment. This collaboration serves as an example of synergy that can inspire various parties to contribute to nature conservation.

Efforts Made: Planting and Educating

Activities at the Getas-Ngandong KHDTK do not only focus on planting tree seedlings that are suitable for the local ecosystem. Students from Tlogotuwung Elementary School and Getas Elementary School are also invited to participate in interactive lessons on the importance of forests as the lungs of the world, carbon sinks, guardians of water availability, and protectors of biodiversity. This fun learning method aims to foster a love and responsibility for the environment from an early age.

This kind of education is important for instilling ecological awareness from an early age. Children are encouraged to understand that protecting forests is not only the responsibility of scientists or the government, but everyone’s responsibility. By planting trees and learning about their role, they are expected to grow into a generation that is active in protecting the environment. This activity also teaches the values of togetherness and social awareness that are urgently needed in facing global environmental challenges.

Building Hope, Expanding Impact

Carbon Nature emphasizes that tree planting is a long-term investment to reduce GHG emissions and improve environmental quality. With the support of UGM, this activity is expected to become an example of cross-sector collaboration that can be replicated in various regions of Indonesia. This cooperation model opens opportunities for various parties to contribute to broader and more structured nature conservation efforts.

The main objective of this activity is to foster a sense of concern for forest conservation among the younger generation, while also conveying the message that climate change mitigation is a shared responsibility. In addition, this activity is expected to motivate the wider community to contribute to reforestation efforts. This collective awareness is essential to creating significant and sustainable change in protecting the earth.

Through this initiative, Carbon Nature and UGM invite everyone to plant not only trees, but also hope for a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future for the earth. The more people who join this effort, the greater the chance of leaving a balanced environment for future generations. Let’s support and follow in the footsteps of this green initiative for the sake of life on our beloved planet.