German 'tree-planting boy' saves the Earth by planting one million trees at age 11

Reported by journalist Lin Yuling / Comprehensive report

This spring has seen little rainfall, putting the Shimen Reservoir on alert once again. Taiwan’s climate is abnormal — but isn’t that also true elsewhere? Cherry blossoms in Japan bloomed earlier than usual, while South Korea and North America experienced rare spring snowfall. Climate anomalies and greenhouse effects have long been global issues. A German boy named Felix Finkbeiner, after watching the environmental documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" at age 9, became worried about the future of the Earth. He launched a plan to plant one million trees in countries around the world. Within two years, by the age of 11, he had reached the one million tree target in Germany and continues to promote the project in other countries.

▲ The 'tree-planting boy' Felix reached his goal of planting one million trees in Germany by the age of 11 and is now promoting the initiative in other countries. (Photo / Provided by Da Tian Publishing)

The German 'tree-planting boy' Felix started worrying about the future of the Earth two years ago after watching the environmental documentary "An Inconvenient Truth." He was only 9 years old at the time, yet he realized that preventing climate anomalies was an “urgent matter.” Inspired by Kenya’s “Tree Mother” Wangari Maathai, he immediately made a vow to “plant one million trees in every country around the world,” so that the Earth could have more trees that absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, bringing greenhouse gases down to acceptable levels.

Felix’s determination and actions were also featured in the program "Wen-Si’s World Weekly." Two years later, despite being just 11 years old, he demonstrated remarkable resolve and initiative, achieving his goal of planting one million trees in his native Germany. Felix even went to the United Nations to deliver an impressive presentation, passionately addressing adult delegates and young people alike: “We must fight for our future. If not us, then who? If not now, then when?”

Under the support of many, Felix founded the "Plant-for-the-Planet" organization, calling on children all over the world to join him in “planting trees to save the Earth!” The results have been outstanding, with over 2,000 children from 70 countries becoming “climate justice ambassadors” taking action across the globe. This rigorous and ambitious “plant-trees-to-save-the-Earth” initiative has also been compiled into a book titled "The Prayer of an 11-Year-Old Boy," which was published in Chinese in March 2013. It attracted extensive media coverage, as well as attention from Taiwan’s Environmental Information Association and various environmental organizations.

The publishing house also specially invited Zhang Liangyi, founder of the "Taiwan Youth Climate Coalition," to write the preface for "The Prayer of an 11-Year-Old Boy." In the preface, he wrote that although there was a ten-year age difference between him and Felix, and they lived in different corners of the world, they were on the same path — continuously thinking about better solutions for action and striving for the Earth's environment. Zhang Liangyi had been appointed as a UN youth NGO representative but had also recently faced controversy over nationality issues, though he still had the support of many friends, family, and voices from all walks of life.

Zhang Liangyi was heavily criticized due to the nationality controversy, and his emotions hit rock bottom for a time. But in the end, he chose to press on, courageously continuing to work on climate change issues and proposing improvement plans. Not long ago, he insisted on going to Antarctica to witness firsthand how climate change affects the world, earning much support and recognition. After all, climate change is a “global” issue, and many young people from other countries have said that it was because of him that they learned about the issue. In the book’s preface, Zhang Liangyi also urged: “Please become fellow fighters for the climate in the future,” “Stop talking; start ACTING!” and “Don’t be one of those adults who are indifferent to the environment and only talk.”

▲ Felix has rallied thousands of children and adults around the world to plant trees together. (Photo / Provided by Da Tian Publishing)

Felix has called on thousands of children and adults around the world to plant trees together. In addition to spreading environmental awareness and action, the book "The Prayer of an 11-Year-Old Boy" also succinctly explains the current state of climate change and practical energy-saving and carbon-reduction actions that individuals can take. Covering knowledge, lifestyle, and emotional aspects, it serves as an easy-to-understand environmental book suitable for both students and adults. The publishing house has also organized class-wide reading activities in schools, hoping to educate the next generation from an early age about the current state of the environment and their goals for action.