In times like this (epidemic, global warming, deforestation...) it is of vital importance that we take action steps, collectively and individually, toward a more sustainable living on this planet. There are many ways how can we do this and here is “a small example” of how.
Mr. Rajko had been a principle and a high school teacher for over 30 years. He has taught many generations of students, many from the city, on his unique and truthful way. He has always been a real support to them. Some years ago he decided that he will “impress” his students on their very first day at school. The students expected a dull lecturing about the school rules they will need to obligate, but instead he gave them seeds and pots and guided them how to plant a seed of a tree. Majority of these kids have never ever planted anything before! Afterwards they were watering and nurturing their plants and after four years they planted them in the nature. Their very own trees! That was much more than just a diploma they got at the end.
Another inspiring story is the one about Miha and Jaka, brothers from Slovenia, who truly believed that they could make a difference in the world and established a certified and mission-oriented environmental company that was created to help end the crisis associated with unnecessary deforestation.
Miha and Jaka come from a family who has have a carpentry business for three generations. Although carpentry is small, they were restless knowing that globally every second a hectare and a half of forest has been cut down and that their family and they personally are part of the problem. As a younger generation, they wanted to drastically change their approach to the wood industry, so they have completely reshaped the meaning of carpentry by putting nature and forests first and products second.
Their path to sustainability began in 2018, and by the beginning of 2019 they became the first CO2-neutral craftsmen in Slovenia by planting trees. They planted a lot of trees, much more than they used in their production. To make their carpentry even more sustainable, they asked an authorized organization to calculate CO2 emissions. Thus, they began to replace the electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of their vehicles by financing even more tree planting projects.
But they felt they were alone in this. Namely, their influence did not reach the global level, so they wanted to attract more like-minded people. To that end, they had to show people that if we are in this together, anything is possible. Inspired by other mission-focused brands, they decided to introduce a business model that will allow them to make a major contribution to nature and grow rapidly so that they can effectively pay workers, fund tree planting projects and raise awareness about deforestation through social media. Treecelet bracelets were created. They are committed to planting trees for each bracelet sold through funding tree planting projects with non-profit partners and contributing additional donations to other forest and animal related organizations. Almost 400.000 trees have been planted so far, but according to them “Our mission will only be completed when we see green forests where the earth is now deserted.”
