ASEZ WAO Beautifies El Agustino, Lima, Peru

On November 20, 2022, around 120 ASEZ WAO members and citizens who supported ASEZ WAO’s activities came from El Agustino, San Juan de Lurigancho, San Borja, and La Molina to conduct Mother’s Forest Project on 1 de Mayo Ave, El Agustino, Lima, Peru. Mother’s Forest Project is one of climate actions which aim to prevent the spread of desertification and build green forests across the whole global village. The Municipality of El Agustino provided the volunteers with 55 saplings, expressing its support for ASEZ WAO’s activities that are carried out in various countries of the world: Peru, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Rep. of Korea, etc.

ASEZ WAO members split into teams and planted 55 trees provided by the Municipality and 50 flower saplings such as dahlias and Portulacarias in order to beautify 1 de Mayo Ave. They also painted murals that express green nature, around the avenue, hoping that a sustainable environment would be created. Ángela, Environmental Director from the Municipality of El Agustino, said, “All the activities that you do in consideration of others are very important, and your activities should be more actively supported.” Kazumi Yto, District Councilor, encouraged ASEZ WAO to continue its activities, saying, “I’m truly thankful to the young adults for making efforts to restore the environment by planting trees. I greatly support all your activities, and I hope that many other young adults, children and their family, too, will come to participate in your wonderful activities.”

Earth is suffering from desertification that is rapidly spreading across the global village. Desertification refers to the phenomenon where forests and pastures disappear due to natural or artificial causes and rivers and lakes dry up and become deserts. According to the data released by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, 20% of Earth’s surface has already been desertified and desertification is worsening in over 100 countries around the world, which is equivalent 75% of the Earth’s surface. On the desertified surface of Earth, dry descending air currents are formed, which causes various abnormal weather conditions such as droughts and water scarcity.

Accordingly, the UN has adopted the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification [UNCCD] and the international society is making efforts to prevent the spread of desertification by designating June 17 as “World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.” It is expected that the international society will more actively participate in ASEZ WAO’s Mother’s Forest Project with great interest.