#HUGaTree on Earth Day 2014

About two years ago, the widespread online and offline protests fueled by social media stopped the cutting of trees to pave the way for a shopping mall expansion in Baguio City. After this, more tree-cutting controversies graced the headlines and social media circles like the ones in España Boulevard in Manila and more recently, the widening of a national highway in Pangasinan .

In the mining sector, it is an open secret that the mountains and forests that the government opened to mining operations will involve the cutting of trees. This is the case for the controversial Tampakan mining project in South Cotabato where 3,900 hectares of forests are set to be cleared to givew way to mining operations affecting around 800,000 trees in conservative estimates. The assertion also holds true for the Homonhon island. Homonhon, an island within the territory of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, was the first to be hit by Supertyphoon Yolanda and relief workers themselves witnessed how the mining firm there sets several trees on fire. Residents attest that this is the miners’ fastest, albeit very environmentally-destructive, way to clear the areas for mineral extraction purposes.

It is about time that we connect the issue of mining, still unheard by many people, to the very popular cause of saving trees. One of the ways to do it without much costs is via social media.

Aside from mining, we can also connect this campaign to our advocacy on climate change. Experts say that the presence of thick natural forests is one of the earth’s natural carbon sinks. Carbon sinks help in curbing global warming by absorbing greenhouse gases in the air.

Action:

The idea is very simple. Supporters of the cause will just post online a picture of themselves hugging a tree. They could post it on Facebook, on their own blog, on Twitter, or wherever so long as it can be seen by the public online. To generate bandwagon effect and to monitor the success of the campaign, we will use the hashtag #HUGaTree.

It is optional for the poster to explain why he/she is participating in the campaign, why he/she chose a particular location or tree, or anything that could add hype to the campaign. It is highly encouraged that the members of our network explicitly connect their explanation to mining, sustainable agriculture or climate change.

April 20-22
Uploading of individual pictures in support of the campaign

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