Plant more trees drive

On October 18, Mayor Martin Chavez gave away 5,000 trees to Albuquerque citizens.

The City of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department, based in New Mexico, US, in partnership with the organisation Tree New Mexico gave away these trees to increase tree canopy in residential neighbourhoods and citywide.

Trees save money by reducing energy costs, increasing property values and cleaning the environment. All tree species were approved for low water use and are primarily large shade trees.

In June 2006, Chavez adopted the 2030 Challenge as a goal for Albuquerque. The Challenge stipulates that by the year 2030, Albuquerque will be carbon neutral. These trees will help the city reach that goal.

Trees have an amazing ability to offset human carbon emissions.

The average person in America generates approximately 2.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. An average healthy tree stores about six kilogrammes of carbon annually.