Plant-for-the-Planet

Plant-for -the- Planet is an initiative whose goal is to create in children and adults an awareness of global justice and climate change and to actively combat the latter by tree planting. Each tree planted will be appointed by the students as a symbol for climate justice.

Formation

The student initiative Plant -for-the -Planet was founded by the then nine -year-old student Felix Finkbeiner from Pähl near Starnberg in 2007. The decisive impetus to the idea of Plant- for-the- planet received Felix, as he was preparing for a presentation on climate change. When Felix spoke before the United Nations, he met the Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, who in 30 years about 30 million trees planted in Africa with their movement "The Green Belt Movement ". At the end of his presentation Felix set out a vision that children could plant one million trees in every country. To launch the initiative, the first tree was planted on 28 March 2007 at Felix's school. Students in Bavaria and throughout Germany took up the idea and in April was followed by other plantings. After one year 150,000 trees were planted. 2008 Felix was elected at the UNEP Tunza International Children's Conference in the UNEP Children Board.

Development

The idea of the organization evolved into a worldwide movement. In many cities (among Hamburg, Stuttgart ) and local children joined together and declared that they would want to plant 100,000 trees in their community or one million trees in their country. By the children tell each tree has become a symbol for climate justice, they combine environmental protection and social justice. About 100 children from 53 countries of the Organization insured their support and also announced to want to plant trees in their country. Meanwhile, children are already participating from 93 countries. The goal is world 14 billion to plant trees, which are promised already been planted 12.6 billion trees and 13.8 billion trees until now (March 2013).

A new dimension has received the motion on December 7, 2011. During the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban, the UN Environment Programme UNEP was responsible for the "UN Billion Tree Campaign " at Plant-for -the-Planet. Thus also were over twelve billion during the campaign planted trees in the tree counters.

Another success gained the organization with the idea of ​​" Future Fee ", a voluntary levy for the benefit of the organization. For events in the spring of 2012, among others, representatives of well-known confectionery manufacturer agreed to provide 0.01% of the company's turnover for this purpose.

Tree planting

The reforestation takes place entirely on their own initiative, that is, students speak to Rangers or environmental organizations that provide the seedlings available to take over the forest education teaching and the care of trees. In Germany children complete in cooperation with the BUND communication links with a 20,000 km long Wildkatzenweg and deal with biodiversity. The tree -planting campaigns are financed exclusively by donations from both individuals and companies. For a euro partner organizations guarantee (eg "Trees for People" in Namibia) afforestation and maintenance of a tree in the countries of the South. The reforestation will be audited by auditors.

Plant-for -the-Planet Academies

In Plant-for -the-Planet Academies children are other children of ambassadors for climate justice. Through group work and presentations, the children learn all important things about climate justice and also practice how to prepare a presentation to win others for ideas and visions. As an ambassador for climate justice they contribute the idea of ​​planting trees and the vision of climate justice in their schools and to their friends and acquaintances.

Special features of the Academies:

• Sensitize students to the climate and justice issues
• Children learn from children
• Children speak to adults and be heard
• Tree planting as the first action
• Climate Ambassador package with high-quality information material to the deepening of the experienced
• Offer children the opportunity to become part of a worldwide movement
• Free participation

Partner

Upon reaching its goals, the children are supported by adults: Prof. Klaus Töpfer is patron. AVINA Foundation, the Club of Rome and the Global Marshall Plan Foundation support content Develey, Ernst & Young, Hess Natur and Toyota financially.

In February 2010, a Children's Foundation, the Plant-for -the-Planet Foundation, founded. This is with the partners to coordinate the work and activities of the children in further cooperation and thus relieve the Global Marshall Plan Foundation, which previously took over the Secretariat.

In spring 2012, representatives of several confectionery manufacturers declared their intention to support the Plant-for -the-Planet - organization with 0.01 % of the company's turnover. According to the organization belong to Bahlsen, Becks Cocoa, Brandt, Buhler, Choclats Halba, Chocri, Trolli, Heilemann, Pit Hoffmann, Sweet Tec, SR Sales and Zotter. In addition, also be, inter alia, Connected Zott, Ehrmann, Heads!, Targetmedia, BrandLogistics.NET and DMV Diedrich brand sales of this commitment.

The campaign " Stop talking. Start planting. "

On 21 September 2009, during the UN General Assembly in New York launched the global campaign, " Stop talking. Start planting. ". You should create an awareness of climate change among children and adults. The photos of the campaign each show an ambassador for climate justice, the zuhält the mouth of a prominent person. The message is simple: a first step towards climate protection is less to talk about, but to be active. Celebrities supporting this campaign include Prince Albert II of Monaco, Wangari Maathai, Peter Maffay, Gisele Bundchen, Hans Küng, Mary Robinson, Princess Haya of Jordan, Gesine Schwan, Achim Steiner, Oliver lime kiln, Felipe of Spain, Martin Winterkorn and many more.

On 8 October 2010, the campaign received the EFFIE in the Social National / International. The award is awarded annually in fifteen categories, to reward voluntary organizations and initiatives and their efficient social marketing communications.

Awards

• 2009 Bavarian State Medal for services to the environment to Felix Finkbeiner
• International TREE special price to Felix Finkbeiner

• International Young Eco - Hero Award (USA) Felix Finkbeiner
• GWA Social Effie - Gold for " Stop talking. Start planting. "
• 21st Century Superhero (Global Tolerance and UNESCO)

• Humanity4Water Award 2011 in the category of Polar Bear
• Success for Future Award 2011

• European University Social Responsibility Award 2012
• Sea ​​Award 2012 " lifetime achievement "
• Winspiration Award 2012
• You and Peace Ecology 2012

• Citizen Culture Award of the Bavarian Parliament to Felix Finkbeiner
• Hamburger social Oskar 2012 Silver
• Climate Week Awards 2013 "Most inspirational young person "
• Ekotopfilm 40th IFSDF 2013
• One World Family Award 2013
• Reineccius Medal