YouTubers band together to plant 20 million trees to fight climate change
With a combined 650 million subscribers — nearly double the population of the United States — a coalition of YouTubers wants to tackle the climate crisis by raising $20 million to plant 20 million trees.
Known for his elaborate stunts — like going through the same drive-through 1000 times and donating $40,000 to a Twitch streamer, YouTuber Mr. Beast is leading the campaign in celebration of gaining 20 million subscribers. In May, his followers spammed him with requests to plant 20 million trees to celebrate his subscriber count.
"Today, we will be planting 20 million trees," Mr. Beast said in a video posted Friday. With the help of volunteers, they managed to plant 1,700.
Instead of singlehandedly saving the planet, Mr. Beast put out a call to subscribers: Every dollar donated to the Arbor Day Foundation accounts for one tree planting.
He also partnered with Mark Rober, Rhett & Link, Marshmello, AsapScience, Jeffree Star, Simone Giertz, The Try Guys, and others to call upon their subscribers to do the same. Under the hashtag #TeamTrees, the YouTubers will post videos on Friday asking their audience to donate in an effort to better the planet.
The Verge reports that YouTube will cover all transaction fees for donations. By flooding the platform with tree content, the coalition hopes to play the algorithm into pushing environmental videos to the top of trending pages and recommended playlists.
The Arbor Day Foundation is currently in the middle of its own tree-planting mission to get 100 million saplings in the ground by 2020, but planting for #TeamTrees will start in January 2020. The project is ambitious, with hopes to make it to the goal by December 2022. Most of the trees planted will be native to a variety of state and national forests managed by government agencies.
Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer turned YouTuber, told fellow creators in an unlisted video that planting 20 million trees won't "cure climate change" but it's worth it in terms of raising awareness.
"The point here is to end the decade on a super strong note. It's a constructive way to send a message to the politicians that it's freaking time to do something about climate change," he said. "Plus, we just really love trees, so this is like a fist bump to Mother Earth."
Yes , do something that is productive . Also pick up cigarette butts by all the stoplight intersections .And carry your own reusable water bottle and look into the thousands of products that the miracle called oil makes . From everything plastic to Vaseline CDs DVDs cellphone , cars , TV's , video games and console . Ya try to live without them for a week .
ReplyDeleteTotally agree about the cigarette butts. Disgusting habit by the most slovenly & unthoughtful human beings.
DeleteGreat idea! Making a POSITIVE effort to combat Climate Change.... instead of marching around town and crying about it! Good job !!
ReplyDeleteBet each of them will take sole credit for this with a click bait title on their channels. Already seen Mr. Beast!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure Mr Beast is the one that *did* start it, though....
DeleteGo a few steps further. Throw out all your electronics. Sell your cars, motorcycles, mopeds and trucks. Never fly anywhere or take a train. Even electric powered trains because the electricity is generated by fossil fuels. Learn how to spin thread and to use a hand powered loom to make fabric and a trundle sewing machine to make your own all natural, non-petrolium clothing. Start growing/raising your own food. So it doesn't have to get brought to you via fossil fuel powered vehicles.
ReplyDeletePlanting trees means nothing, if we don't change our habits and way of living. But yeah let's all think that world is going to heal itself just because we've planted trees.
ReplyDeleteSee, planting trees are the best way to go. Good job! Mother Nature is awesome.
ReplyDeletelots of forest fires.
ReplyDeleteNow this is something I can get behind because regardless of someone’s opinions on climate change everyone should agree that more trees is always a good thing.
ReplyDeleteNow there is a real environmental hero!
ReplyDeleteAt least they’re not whining
ReplyDeletePlant the trees is all you need to do! Don’t throw money at what you can not control!
ReplyDeleteI'm planting some too.
ReplyDeleteNext year they should plant them outside Area 51. Everybody that is going to storm the base can bring some trees or shovels.
ReplyDeleteYes yes
ReplyDeleteShould have been fruit and nut trees to fight hunger. Or, hardwoods you don't want to cut till fully mature. The US should have a retirement program of planting hardwoods and retiring on the harvest.
ReplyDeletesorry but trees won't be enough - emissions must be reduced also.
ReplyDeleteThe greatest contributor to CO2 in the atmosphere is decaying vegetation. But YouTubers can congratulate themselves for contributing to a HOAX.
ReplyDeleteSo ......
ReplyDeleteCalifornia is painting their roads white.
The Climate Change INDUSTRY will never die.
little do they know 1.2 billion trees are planted in this country every year. about 600 million of those by ordinary people..
ReplyDeletebut hey, warm fuzzies all around..
Gonna need a lot of CO2 to make them grow
ReplyDeletePLANT ALL THE SEEDS !
ReplyDeleteHier kan Greta en anuna nog een topke aan zuigen.
ReplyDelete