With extreme weather events and global temperatures on the rise, trees have become invaluable assets against climate change. They help to remove atmospheric carbon dioxide and lower surrounding temperatures by deflecting the sun’s radiation. Mangrove trees, in particular, deserve special mention. These tropical trees have unique adaptations that allow mangroves to survive harsh conditions like coastal waters and tidal wetlands.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of planting mangrove trees and how you can support such efforts with susGain’s charity partner, Eden Reforestation Projects (Eden).

Benefits of mangrove tree planting

• High Carbon Sequestration Capacity: Thriving in swamps and marshes, mangroves have tangled roots above ground that can form dense thickets. They help “store three to five times more carbon per hectare than other forest types”, making mangroves excellent carbon sinks.
• Biodiversity: Mangrove trees promote vibrant ecosystems with nutrient-rich habitats in sediment deposits, supporting aquatic life like reptiles, birds, fish and crustaceans.
• Natural Regeneration: Mangrove trees can easily regenerate by spreading their propagules via wind, water and animal vectors. This natural process requires minimal human intervention, which makes mangrove propagation fast and efficient.
• Natural Protection: The dense roots of mangrove trees bind to soil and slow water down, reducing coastal erosion and flooding. Thus, mangroves serve as a natural barrier against storm surges and heavy rain, protecting nearby ecosystems and local communities.

Supporting the right charity

There are several environmental organisations committed to planting mangrove trees, so how to determine which one to support? Here are some of susGain’s considerations in selecting Eden Reforestation Projects (Eden) as our charity partner.

• Authentic & Transparent: Eden is a registered US non-profit that is internationally renowned. They work with local communities to restore forests, including mangrove trees, on a massive scale. This creates jobs, protects ecosystems and mitigates climate change. They also publish their reports publicly for reference and accountability.
• Reforestation Approach: Eden’s approach towards reforestation goes beyond just planting seeds; it commits to growing and caring for trees that join together to form strong healthy forests.
• Social & Economic Benefits: Eden exists to alleviate extreme poverty through environmental stewardship. Eden creates livelihoods by employing villagers in the local community, from picking propagules off mature mangrove trees to sorting them by species and planting them into the ground. This gives the locals a consistent income to provide for their families and empower them with fair wages. Charity donations to Eden contribute to wages from tree planting efforts, with no add-on services/technologies like GPS trackers and blockchain.

How to plant trees with susGain

For every green action or habit, susGain rewards you with points which can be used to plant trees.

Plant 1 tree for every 1,000 susGain points earned. To reach and maintain your “Advocate” membership tier, you need to earn at least 2,000 points to start planting. In “My Profile”, click on the “Let’s Plant Trees!” button to initiate the tree planting process. Go to “How do I earn points?” to learn more.

You can also plant trees for your purchase or for joining events of susGain partners. susGain has a number of partners who offer tree planting rewards for your purchases in-store, online, on their product  (e.g. The Fashion Pulpit, Gemstory, UOB Evol, Mixed Greens, CRUST…) or when you attend an event. Scan the QR code or enter the PIN displayed on collateral and instantly earn the number of trees as indicated.

Click here to find out how many trees have been planted by our susGain community thus far.

Thank you for reading our article! Plant a tree with us to celebrate International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem which is celebrated on July 26 each year. Search ‘Plant a Mangrove Tree‘ on the susGain app and enter pin 2771 to plant.

At susGain, we want to make sustainable lifestyle choices easier, more accessible, and convenient for you. Check out our sustainable lifestyle app now!

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