Cities4Forest launches photo #ForestChallenge - an invitation to reconnect with nature #ForNature

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Reconnect with nature and post images with friends, family and colleagues around trees and forests. Cities4Forests commits to planting 1 tree for each of the first 2,000 images posted on Facebook and Instagram: use the hashtag #ForestChallenge and tag @Cities4Forests. Together with Reforest’Action, they will plant mangroves in Indonesia to advance forest-related climate action. The photo contest starts today 22 April - on #EarthDay in partnership with the Earthday network - and runs through 5 June - World Environment Day (#ForNature) with the winners to be announced on 29 June - International Day of the Tropics. 

During this time of crisis due to COVID-19, the call to preserve the environment and restore forests is more important than ever. Globally, many cities and their residents face persistent stress on water, energy, and food supplies; they suffer from air pollution and severe heat, and face environmental problems such as droughts and floods.

"The Forest Challenge is an excellent way to help restore nature, as well as for people to celebrate and appreciate it. We have lost one third of all forest area compared to pre-industrial levels. Biodiversity is the theme of the 2020 edition of UN World Environment Day, and reversing its loss is critical for a healthy planet that benefits everyone. Involving residents and cities in global forest action in this effort is vital since 55% of the world’s population currently live in cities, and this is expected to increase to about 70% by 2050. The initiative is therefore also a welcome contribution to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) which unites the world around a common goal: halting and reversing the degradation of ecosystems worldwide." - Musonda Mumba, Chair of the Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration, United Nations Environment Programme.

You can join the contest by posting an existing or new photo with people and nature using the hashtag #ForestChallenge, tagging Cities4Forests and adding the location on Instagram or Facebook between 22 April and 15 June. Participants will have the opportunity to win awards and all posts will appear on the Cities4Forests website where you will find the criteria for participating and their partners.

The photo challenge is a partner event of World Environment Day

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