We are aware of the crucial role the Amazon rainforest plays in balancing the planet’s carbon dioxide. The plants and trees in the Amazon rainforest absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen back into the air in the process of photosynthesis, so it is considered the lungs of the planet – producing 20% of the oxygen needs for the world. Here are some more interesting facts about the Amazon rainforest.

4 facts about the Amazon

1. According to the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, 25% of the planet’s species are found in the Amazon rainforest, namely: 30,000 types of plants, 2,500 fish, 1,500 birds, 500 mammals, 550 reptiles and 2.5 million insects.
2. The Amazon has more than 30% of the world’s primary forests and provides 20% of the planet’s unfrozen fresh water.
3. The Amazon is the world’s largest river and by some accounts – since new research was carried out in 2007 – the longest, running for up to 6,900 kilometres.
4. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the forest acts as a carbon sink, absorbing more carbon dioxide than it emits, while releasing oxygen, and stocking 90 to 140 billion tonnes of CO2, which helps in regulating climate change.

How Vodacom supports Arbor Week

Vodacom understands the value of planting trees, so we have planted trees in all our buildings and offices. We are aware of the importance of trees for the environment, as they absorb more than 30% of the fossil fuel carbon emissions, sulphurous dioxide and nitrous oxide that cause climate change and health issues. The absorbed carbon dioxide is used for photosynthesis and for emitting oxygen. On an annual basis, our trees absorb approximately 23 kilograms of carbon dioxide and release oxygen in exchange. The leaves also remove pollutants from the air.

We are also aware that trees play an important role in the water system, as the roots absorb harmful pollutants from the soil when they take in water. Trees also help in preventing flooding and runoff, as the leaves direct the water to the soil instead of into sewage drains. In our buildings and offices, our trees are strategically planted around buildings, as the shade reduces the amount of energy needed for cooling the buildings. This reduces our energy consumption and thereby reduces our carbon emissions. At our Midrand campus, we have various tree species that each have numerous benefits. Here are some of these species and their benefits:

Tree Species	Interesting fact
Cypress	Has various health benefits
Prunus	Considered a medicinal plant
Populus	Provides quality air, water and soil
Phoenix reclinate palm	Has antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic and hepatoprotective agents
Podocarpus	Can be used in the treatment of diseases
Celtis varieties	A tolerant species that can grow in a range of environmental and soil conditions
Combretum	Has anti-diabetic agents
Mix of indigenous and exotic	Other various benefits
Sersia	Assists in the fermenting of beer

The history of Arbor Week

Arbor Week is celebrated every year to raise awareness of the importance of trees. The value of trees is often underestimated and the truth is we simply cannot live without them. Arbor Day originated in the US in 1872 in a treeless Nebraska. A newcomer, noticing the treeless plains of Nebraska, convinced the local agricultural board to set aside a day for planting trees. The newcomer encouraged communities to participate in the planting of the trees and also shared his knowledge and awareness on the importance and value of planting trees. Years later, this idea extended globally and become recognised and celebrated as Arbor Day. 

Arbor Day in South Africa

In South Africa, Arbor Day was first celebrated in 1983. It serves to highlight the importance of trees, particularly for food, medicine and building materials. In 1999 the national government extended Arbor Day to Arbour Week (the first week of September) annually. Interestingly, Southern Africa has approximately 1,700 different native trees. The largest tree in diameter in South Africa is Limpopo’s Sunland ‘Big Baobab’, which is 1,700 years old! Overall, the largest tree in South Africa is the Sagole Baobab, which stands at a height of 22 metres with a crown diameter of 38.2 metres.

Written by Lungile Manzini, Executive Head of Sustainability