By: Sani Firmansyah (Supporter Center Officer)

Everyone knows the importance of trees for humans and other living things in the world. Trees provide oxygen and reduce carbon dioxide, retain water and erosion, maintain soil fertility, and produce fruit for the needs of living things. Because of this, the balance of the food chain is maintained and the environment becomes more comfortable.

However, in a short period of time, forests in Indonesia are decreasing due to land use change. Forests are turning into plantations, industries, and settlements. This is directly proportional to the decrease in the number of animals in the forest, the quality of clean water, and the quality of the environment which results in climate change so that the Earth is getting hotter.

This condition is the reason for WWF-Indonesia's Panda Mobile to share information about Earth at SMK Santa Theresia on Wednesday (30/05). With the theme "Let's Adopt a Tree!", the activity invited the enthusiasm of the students. Many questions were asked about the forest. "Sis, why are more forests being cut down nowadays?" asked Maria, an 11th grade student of SMK Santa Theresia. Sani Firmansyah, Supporter Center Officer of WWF-Indonesia answered that the increasing human needs for products derived from trees in the forest, such as paper, makes more trees cut down. "It does not mean that we should not use paper, but we must be wise in its use, such as using both sides of the paper and not wasting paper," said Sani giving tips on environmentally friendly lifestyles.

"Sis, I read on the WWF-Indonesia website about the MyBabyTree program. Why is there such a program and what is the impact of supporting this program on the environment?" asked Ele, an 11th grade student of SMK Santa Theresia. "The creation of MyBabyTree program is one of the efforts that can be done by the community in supporting the preservation of nature in Indonesia because the preservation of the Earth is not only the responsibility of WWF. We live on the same Earth and we must contribute to preserve it for our children and grandchildren. MyBabyTree is a conservation effort that everyone can do by planting trees virtually. Later, people who have supported this program will be informed of the development of the tree through the geotag that has been given," Sani replied.

[Read also: MyBabyTree Program]

"I represent SMK Santa Theresia to thank you for the information that has been given to our children. Hopefully today's event can increase our children's sensitivity and concern for the environment. And starting today, we are holding a tree saving program, where every money saved will be donated to WWF-Indonesia to support the MyBabyTree program," said Alfon, a teacher at SMK Santa Theresia.