“One hundred trees have been saved!”

-A A +A
Recycle3.jpg
A report by the Environmental Protection Unit of Than Hsiang Temple Youth Group

The month of April 2007 marked not only the World Health and Earth Day, but also the first anniversary of the Than Hsiang Environmental Protection Unit. The idea of the Environmental Protection Unit was mooted and subsequently established by the Than Hsiang Youth Group a year ago with the objective of promoting the protection of our environment through preserving our depleting natural resources and at the same time seek to educate the new generation on the importance of environmental protection. On the 1 st of April 2006, the Unit managed to collect 86 kilo of old newspapers. Gradually, we expanded our range of recycled items from papers to aluminum, plastic, metallic products, electrical and electronic products. We have come a long way in this one year through consistent diligence and faith.

In our review during our 1 st Anniversary, we discovered that just on the item of recycled papers; we had accumulated a total weight of 10,000 kilograms. Our estimation confirmed that in order to produce a stack of newspapers of six feet in height weighing 100kg, one would need to cut down one tree. By extension, 10,000kg of accumulated paper weight means that we have saved 100 trees from disappearing from the surface of our planet.

We must bear in mind also that by sparing 100 trees, we have also saved the time needed for their replenishment, which could easily take another ten years or more. Moreover, we must not forget the law of interdependence in the world of nature. The destruction of a tree will inevitably disrupt the natural habitat of the flora and fauna with adverse consequences. Can we afford to wait and pay the price of destruction of endanger species, diminishing natural resources, and the calamities brought about by the earth warming effect? We can ill afford to take the chance for we may never get back what we have lost and the mother earth may never look the same again.

Though our effort may appear to have very little impact, we take pride in the sense that we have taken a step in the right direction. Imagine where the 10,000 kilograms of recyclable paper would have landed in - a rubbish dumping ground, an incinerator or buried under the ground of a newly built condominium? In short, they would have gone to waste and the earth will be further exploited with the disappearance of another 100 precious trees. We may not be able to stop the paper mills or the lumber companies from cutting down trees, but through our project, we are extending the life span of recyclable papers and consequently the reduction of tree cutting.

The action taken by an individual may not yield much result. However, if we remember the old adage, “Unity is strength” and pool all our energies together; we will make a difference. We therefore appeal to all responsible citizens of the planet to participate in this “Earth saving endeavor”. Wouldn't you want to join us to save another hundred trees?

Recycle4.jpg
Recycle2.jpg