Tree Talk, April 2008

Care for your climate! With

this Tree Talk, 18,000 schools countrywide are receiving tree seed. Start your nursery and woodlot now.Right: Brenda of the Twogere Kaati Radio Program with her mvule seedlings

British High Commission This special Tree Talk on climate change was produced with the Uganda Carbon Bureau. It is sponsored by the British High Commission in Kampala. The British Government is committed to a low carbon global economy.

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The climate is changing! But we can fight climate change with trees also has one of the best climates in the world for growing trees. But more and more trees are being cut down for charcoal, firewood and timber and to clear land for agriculture. When the wood is burned,

Trees naturally trap carbon dioxide, which they use during photosynthesis. At the same time they emit oxygen, which we need to breathe. Uganda is lucky, it still has some natural forests. It

it releases the carbon dioxide that was stored. This contributes to global warming. Cutting down forests also means that there are fewer trees to produce oxygen. Deforestation, especially in tropical

areas, accounts for 20% of man-made greenhouse gas emissions each year. You can fight this by protecting the forests that are left and by growing more new trees.

Save ts fores w Gro s tree

What are greenhouse gases, global warming?

Greenhouse gases naturally act like a blanket and keep the Earth warm. This is good: without them, the Earth would be very cold! Unfortunately humans have caused too much

carbon dioxide to be released. Cars, planes and factories burn fuel, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. When forests are burnt, they also release carbon dioxide. Today 20% of all man-made

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All over the world, the weather is changing: this is called climate change. Climate change is dangerous because it disturbs our crops, water and health.

They are called "greenhouse gases" because they trap the sun's heat like the plastic sheeting that is used to make greenhouses. Have you seen such greenhouses near Entebbe that are used for growing flowers and vegetables?

There are now more floods and droughts in Uganda due to global warming. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Does your favourite wetland for swimming now have little water? Is the temperature hotter than before?

The atmosphere (the air we breathe) is naturally made up of different gases, including carbon dioxide. Some of these gases are called "greenhouse gases". Why do they have this name? ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Is the weather in your area changing? Is there dry land where it was once wet, or floods where it was once dry?

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Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide. They naturally encircle the earth. But too many greenhouse gases cause the earth to heat up. This is global warming.

greenhouse gases come from the destruction of forests. To reduce the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and thereby fight climate change, we can grow trees and protect forests.

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What happens when the Earth heats up?

Global warming is already changing the Earth's temperature. In the last 100 years, the Earth’s temperature has risen by 0.75°C. This might seem little, but climate change is already happening.

Drought

Flooding Whereas some districts are not receiving enough rain, others are getting too much! In 2007, Teso suffered terrible floods. Families lost crops and homes,

Half of the weight of this huge mahogany tree is carbon. As it grows, it pulls even more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

crane, is under threat!

and more people got sick with diarrhoea from drinking unclean water.

Pests and diseases Higher temperatures mean pests can move into areas that were too cold for them before. The tsetse belt in Uganda has grown, causing more livestock to die. In 2005 grasshopper plagues destroyed crops in Katakwi district.

All over the world extreme weather is increasing with big storms, such as Hurricane Katrina in the USA, causing terrible damage.

Loss of species

Malaria will spread to parts of Uganda where it has never been before, such as the cool highlands. Temperature changes mean the disease-carrying mosquito can breed in the new warmer areas. In Kabale this is already happening.Have you always had malaria in your area, or has it started to come?

Insects, plants, birds and animals are very sensitive to even small changes in temperature. Climate change, plus human impacts like deforestation, make it difficult for species to live in their natural environment. 1906 Many will have to move to a new home, but they might be blocked by rivers or human settlements. Can you imagine life without local trees and wildlife? Even Uganda's national symbol, the crested

Melting glaciers The snow on the Rwenzori Mountains is melting, the Semliki River 2005 causing to shift its course. This is disrupting peoples' lives and homes.

Trees capture and store carbon Carbon naturally moves in our environment Trees are called "carbon sinks" because they move carbon from the atmosphere and store it.

Trees also help because:

• They bind the soil with their roots to stop it from washing away. • They encourage cloud formation, which keeps the climate cooler. • They bring more regular rainfall and moisture, minimizing the impacts of drought. • Some trees keep the soil fertile with nutrients that help crops to grow well. By cutting too many trees, humans have disturbed the natural movement of carbon: the exchange of carbon is no longer balanced! There is too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This excessive amount of greenhouse gases is making the world hotter: global

warming is taking place. In Uganda, most of the carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere comes from burning firewood, charcoal and bush. So what can we do since most of us need to cook with firewood or charcoal everyday? First, we can all be more careful about how many trees we use:

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Drought is affecting Uganda's cash

crops like coffee. Coffee needs cool weather to grow: if temperatures keep increasing, areas suitable for growing coffee will shrink. Farmers are now planting trees to shade their coffee.

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In Karamoja, the herdsmen know where to take their animals for water. Twenty years ago, they used to have at least six months of pasture every year. Now they have to move frequently to find enough grass and water for their cows.

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There are more droughts. In 20042005, drought caused the water levels in Lake Victoria and the River Nile to go down. With less water to run through the dam at Jinja, there were electricity shortages. The drought in 1999-2000 created big water shortages: many animals died, and food became scarce and expensive.

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By reducing bush burning and clearance of forests to make way for land for agriculture, Uganda can reduce the amount of carbon it contributes to the earth's atmosphere. Protecting forests will help to stabilise Uganda's weather.

A greenhouse: the plastic sheeting traps the sun's heat. That is what greenhouse gases are doing to the world.

•If we use charcoal, we can use a fuel efficient stove. If we cook on wood, we can get a stove that burns it efficiently, not wasting heat. •We can start our own woodlot and use trees that we have planted ourselves instead of cutting big forest trees that already hold a lot of carbon. •We can protect forests.

Collecting from the bush is hard work and eventually destroys the environment. It is better to grow your own woodlot!

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Tree growing easy, even in dry areas These great mvule trees give protection from wind, rain and sun to the inhabitants of this IDP camp in Lokung, Kitgum. How much more difficult would their lives be if they did not have these trees? These trees were planted by a human being just like you. You too can plant trees that become permanent features in your community.

Send photos of your Tree Talk nursery and trees to PO Box 22366, Kampala. Win a residential training in tree growing! With this Tree Talk, 12,600 schools are receiving a packet of mvule seed. For schools in extremely dry areas such as Karamoja, Tree Talk is sending cassia seed. The rains have begun in Uganda. Do not delay. Now is the time to prepare your seed bed.

Then cover your nursery bed with a shade and keep the soil moist. The seeds will germinate in 8-20 days. After 2-3 weeks, move the

seedlings into small pots. Protect your seedlings from animals and always remember to water. After 7 months, plant your seedlings out by digging big holes and filling them with good topsoil and compost. Continue to water and protect them. Watering is especially important if it is the dry season. Every school needs big trees like Mvule to provide permanent shade and windbreaks. Mvule is termite-resistant. The wood is extremely hard.

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Mvule seeds are very small but are easy to grow. They need no special treatment. Plant the mvule seeds in your seedbed. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.

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Mvule (Milicia excelsis) is Uganda's most famous hardwood. It grows in three-quarters of our districts. It grows very big and keeps growing for a long time. Not only does it absorb a lot of carbon dioxide, but in two to three years you will have a tree you can sit under!

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Plant your Tree Talk seeds as soon as you receive them! You can also collect seed from local trees. Start your nursery today. Cassia (Senna siamea) is fast growing and good for poles, charcoal, furniture, shade and soil conservation. It resists termites. To germinate its seeds, soak them for two days in cold water. Plant the seeds in lines and cover with a thin layer of rough sand.

Tree Talk woodlot in Panjira PS This cassia and neem woodlot at Panjira PS in Kitgum was planted less than two years ago. It is already providing shade and will soon provide fuel. A school with 1000 pupils needs about 4000 trees or four acres of woodlot to be self-sufficient in wood.

Water until the seed bed is moist. After that, water the seeds every day. Build a shade to protect the seeds. They will germinate in 6 to 18 days.

The kitchen at Panjira PS: all schools need big amounts of wood. Children usually carry sticks from home. In deforested areas where there is no wood, pupils often do not eat. Every school needs a woodlot!

Transplant the small seedlings into pots 3 days after germination. Give them water everyday. Keep the pots under the shade for one month, then remove. After 3 months, plant the seedlings.

Every school needs a woodlot: tips for successful woodlots Good nursery practices are the key Select a good site, make a raised bed (1x2meters), fill the top with loam soil and sand mixed in equal proportions. Make lines and sow seeds in the lines. Water regularly but gently. Make a shade.

When seedlings start to germinate, water in the mornings and evenings. Avoid too much watering. It may encourage fungal growth. (Shade not shown in this picture!)

When seedlings are ready to put into pots, transfer them gently. Do not pull seedlings by their leaves!

Keep young seedlings shaded. Then gradually remove shade. Shaded woodlot seedlings will be ready for transplanting after 3 months.

Lay manure in the bottom of the pit. Place the seedling together with its pot. Then remove the pot and fill the pit with topsoil. Prepare your planting area by digging holes 30 x 30 cm deep and wide. Transport seedlings to the planting area in a good container.

Fence the woodlot or place protection around the young seedlings to prevent them from being destroyed by animals!

Write to PO Box 22366, Kampala. Every letter published wins a T-shirt.

We appeal to other schools that receive Tree Talk to practice afforestation, reforestation and agroforestry so that we can chase away environmental degradation in our country and the world at large. Headteacher Rukundo Robert, Rwanga PS, Kihihi, Kanungu The Karimojong culture and tradition on the preservation of trees is excellent for today’s Tree Talk programmes in schools and beyond. I want to encourage every Karimojong pupil to grow and care for at least one tree in a school where they learn. Let’s co-exist with trees to notice the value they give us. Locheng, P6, Nakapelimoe PS, Kotido

Pupils at Oriyoi PS, Tororo, in their Lusambya woodlot. They write, "Thank you Tree Talk for initiating the planting of trees in all schools! This has added to the beauty of our environment."

My school St. Comboni PS loves trees and this is why it is nice and beautiful in Kotido Town Council. Long live Tree Talk, long live the ongoing rainfall. Oyugi Bill Brian, P5, St Comboni PS, Kotido

P6 students at Kyangyenyi PS in Bushenyi celebrate the Environment Day by planting seedlings.

We planted many trees in our compound and they are doing very well, for example, musizi, eucalyptus and cassia. Lumansi Erinesta, P6, Busowa PS, Bugiri Our teachers have been teaching pupils and the community how to plant trees. Our demonstration garden has been fenced to avoid animals attacking it. And we also received seeds like senna, neem, lusambya and eucalyptus. Okeya Gideon Hoyte P7, Chairman Farm Talk Club, Orago PS, Tororo

Tree Talkers at Rubimbwa PS in Kanungu have planted Musizi, Eucalyptus and Pine trees. Here they are weeding their protected school garden.

We planted calliandra trees in our school woodlot. We are caring for them and they are very healthy. Tree Talk, keep sending us more tree seeds. Namugaya Bitaminsi, P6, Katala PS, Bugiri Thank you for your publications. I am very glad that even my grandmother has a woodlot, where we frequently get firewood, shade and poles for building our kitchen. Please send Myco PS some publications from Tree Talk and seeds for our nursery beds. Nueamanya Timothy, P4, Myco PS, Masindi

Tree Talkers at Bumanya PS in Kaliro prune their trees. They write, "Locally we have collected mango seeds and planted at least 250 seedlings of mangoes. Through sensitization during parents' meetings, the community has taken up tree planting as their home projects."

Members of the Chawo Youths Association in Busia build a thatch shelter to provide shade for their seed nursery.

In 2008, Tree Talk will send its newspaper and seed to 18,000 schools. Its field staff will also work on the ground in 330 schools. Under WILD, funded by USAID, Tree Talk will work with 180 schools in Adjumani, Moyo, Amuru and Kitgum. Each school will have a nursery, grow 2000 trees and plant two-acre woodlots as well as boundary trees.

Protecting biodiversity means conserving all plants, animals and insects that naturally occur in our habitat. They are all there for a purpose. Biodiversity is a safety net and a life support for us. TREE TALK is a project of:

Straight Talk Foundation 4 Acacia Ave, Kololo PO Box 22366, Kampala Tel. 0312-262030/1

Once self-sufficient in fuel, these schools will not need wood from the bush. This will protect biodiversity in Murchison Falls Park, Madi and Dufile Wildlife Reserves and the Central Forest Reserves of Zoka, Mt Otzi and Agoro Agu. Under WILD,

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Tree Talk in 2008: protecting biodiversity Tree Talk will also train 360 teachers and 40 community groups and work closely with Uganda Wildlife Clubs. Do you have a wildlife club? UWC can help you if elephants or other animals are disturbing your school or village. Hunting is banned, and UWC knows kinder ways to help animals stay inside their protected areas. Elsewhere, Tree Talk is working in 45 schools with the National Forestry Authority to protect Yumbe's Mt Kei Central Forest Reserve. In Kumi, Tree Talk is in 15 schools. In Gulu and Kabermaido, it is in 90 schools with FAO. Tree Talk thanks all district and school authorities for the warm welcome you have given us. Together we will grow over 500,000 trees this year to fight climate change, help pupils to feed, and protect biodiversity. So many benefits from trees!

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Your letters

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Keep your school gardens alive! At Iryango PS in Mbarara/Isingiro, the newly posted headmistress and some staff members plant avocado trees in the school compound during the holiday.

Tree Talk Club members at Bitare PS in Kisoro write, "We are planting tree seedlings of black wattle in the boundary of the school because of the knowledge acquired from Tree Talk newspapers.

The life I have now is because trees care. When I push out carbon dioxide, they do not forget to organise for me oxygen. Opolot Masereka, teacher, Kasese Junior PS, Kasese

Win!

Send in photos and stories of what your school is doing to fight climate change. The best 20 responses will win a copy of the Pocket Issue on Global Warming. This book explains the science behind climate change and the problems that the world will face if climate change continues. Every Member of Parliament has been given a copy! Win yours today! Write to PO Box 22366 Kampala.

The seeds for this Tree Talk were collected by the National Tree Seed Centre. This issue was produced with the Uganda Carbon Bureau, funded by the British High Commission. Costs for Northern Uganda were met by WILD, a partnership of Wildlife Conservation Society, Wildlife Clubs of Uganda, Flora and Fauna International, Jane Goodall institute and Tree Talk., supported by USAID.

Editor: C Watson; Writers: K Manchester, J Farmer, SP Amunau; Reviewer: Bill Farmer; Design: G B Mukasa Printer: The New Vision