GravityKit partners with Eden Reforestation Projects to help combat deforestation

We’re excited to announce that GravityKit is now a “Seed Partner” with Eden Reforestation Projects – a nonprofit organization that works to combat deforestation and create job opportunities in the Third World.

With GravityKit’s monthly contribution, Eden plants an additional 1,000 trees, furthering their goal of protecting forests on a global scale.

By recognizing the link between deforestation and extreme poverty, Eden has developed an effective model for reforestation.

Eden’s methodology is called “Employ to Plant”; they provide sustainable employment to local people to restore and protect their natural environment!

What is Eden’s vision?

Eden provides fair employment opportunities to people living in poor communities who then become transformational agents by planting trees and helping to combat deforestation. 

As stated on their website, Eden’s vision is to “create livelihoods for millions of people living in extreme poverty by empowering them to restore and protect forests on a massive scale.”

The problem of deforestation

The term “deforestation” refers to the intentional clearing of forested land. Forests are cleared to make space for agriculture or animal grazing. Trees are also cut down to obtain wood for fuel, manufacturing and construction.

Deforestation is a global crisis. In fact, researchers estimate that over 15 billion trees are cut down each year. That means we’re losing 42 million trees every day!

The regions most impacted by deforestation are impoverished and underdeveloped areas. Deforestation can have a dramatic impact on the biosphere, causing flooding, erosion and desertification. The long-term effects of deforestation result in even worse environmental destruction.

According to Eden, “Often members of impoverished communities are forced to destroy their local environment to survive, such as cutting down trees for construction, fuel, heat, and agricultural purposes.”

Combating deforestation and alleviating poverty

Eden works with communities in Ethiopia, Madagascar, Haiti, Nepal, Indonesia, Mozambique, Kenya, and Central America where they utilize their innovative “Employ to Plant” methodology to alleviate poverty and combat deforestation.

Eden has a holistic approach to reforestation and ecological restoration.

We start by hiring people in local communities to plant trees. This gives them a consistent income so they can provide for their families again. As the reforestation effort goes on, healthy forests begin to emerge, and the harmful effects of deforestation begin to disappear.

Prior to supporting Eden, GravityKit sponsored Ecologi. However, Ecologi is not a registered non-profit, but rather a “social enterprise” that directs funds and support towards various climate-related initiatives (including those run by Eden). Therefore, we felt it would be more impactful to support Eden directly.

GravityKit is proud to support Eden Reforestation Projects in their mission to combat deforestation and create livelihoods for people living in impoverished communities!