It's time for all of us to reconnect with nature

According to government estimates, Tanzania loses around 2,500 acres of forests every day, with an estimated 61 per cent of our nation currently facing a real threat of turning into a desert.

Environment minister January Makamba says the massive scale of destruction to the country’s environment means that many sources of water, mostly in rainforests, are rapidly vanishing.

"One of the biggest causes of deforestation is the widespread use of charcoal for cooking food," Makamba told a press conference ahead of World Environment Day which will be marked on June 5 under the theme: ‘Connecting People to Nature.’

The minister added: "As a result of this situation, water supply for Tanzanians is being constrained even when we build infrastructure for the supply of water."

Charcoal is big business in Tanzania and continues to flourish. More than 90 per cent of all families in the country either use firewood or charcoal as a source of energy.

As Tanzanians gear up to mark the World Environment Day on June 5, it is time for us to collectively think about how we are all part of nature and how we intimately depend on it.

The World Environment Day challenges us to find fun and exciting ways to experience and cherish this vital relationship between man and nature.

On a global scale, deforestation accounts for one-fifth of the world’s greenhouse gases — more than the emissions generated by all of the world’s cars and trucks. And the world is doing far too little to stop it.

An estimated 30 million acres of rain forest disappear every year, destroying biodiversity and pouring billions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

It is important to note that this year's World Environment Day will be marked by tree-planting campaigns across the country.

Trees are an essential part of the environment, even in urban ecosystems. They provide oxygen, improve air quality, produce food, conserve water, preserve soil and support wildlife. They deflect sunlight, reducing the heating effect caused by pavement and buildings. And they’re aesthetically pleasing, adding value to our streets, parks, playgrounds and backyards.

We can all help to save the environment in Tanzania by planting more trees to halt deforestation.