Contact : +254 725 877 146
When Numbers Lie!
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty.
If someone claims to have planted 23,326 trees in a single effort,what does that actually mean? Does it suggest planting one tree every 3.70 seconds? In real terms, who can sustain that? Personally, it takes me about 20 minutes to properly plant one tree, digging, placing, covering, and watering it.
So the real question is: are we planting trees, or are we growing trees?
Can those making such claims share the details:the process, the team, the method so others can learn and genuinely contribute toward the 15 billion trees agenda? Or are we planting trees for visibility, fame, and quick recognition?
On Earth Day 2026, reports emerged of a Kenyan environmentalist planting 23,326 trees while attempting a 24,000 record. But beyond the headline, where is the transparency? Where is the accountability?
It’s becoming increasingly concerning how environmental conservation is sometimes reduced to numbers without substance. At least with an athlete, you see the performance unfold. But in this space, much happens behind the scenes and unfortunately, sometimes the numbers don’t add up.
I speak as an environmentalist myself: it has taken me 5 years to plant and nurture 10,500 fruits and medicinal trees. That’s the reality of commitment.
Another important question: are we planting trees the right way?
What are the survival rates of thousands planted at once? How many will still be standing in two years?
As Wangari Maathai said:
“Until you dig a hole, you plant a tree, and water it and make it survive , you haven’t done anything. You are just talking.”That is the standard. That is the integrity we should uphold.
Wangari Maathai remains a true hero of environmental conservation, her work was grounded in honesty, care, and a deep love for nature. Today, some seem driven more by attention, funding opportunities, and media visibility than by impact.
So here’s the question we must all ask:
Are we planting trees we can track, nurture, and account for in the years to come?
”Planting trees is climate action,but growing trees is a commitment to the planet”, Risper Asembo.
This is a very important and timely reflection. Climate action risks losing credibility when impact is reduced to impressive numbers without clear methodology, follow-up, or transparency.
Tree planting, in itself, is not the end goal, tree survival, ecosystem restoration, and long-term stewardship are what truly matter. Without proper care, monitoring, and community involvement, even the largest numbers can become symbolic rather than transformational.
I deeply resonate with the reminder that “planting is not enough; growing is the real commitment.” In many local contexts, the success of restoration efforts depends on ownership, ecological understanding, and sustained engagement over time, not just one-time interventions for visibility.
At the same time, I believe this conversation is not about discouraging ambition, but about strengthening integrity in climate action. We need both scale and accountability. Large-scale initiatives can be powerful, but they must be accompanied by transparent reporting on survival rates, maintenance strategies, and community involvement if they are to create real impact.
Wangari Maathai’s words remain a powerful benchmark for all of us working in environmental space, action must be grounded in care, patience, and responsibility toward the living systems we claim to restore.