The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris on December 7-8, is still six weeks away, but a campaign it triggered has already planted 45,000 virtual trees. For each virtual tree planted, a real tree will also be planted somewhere in the world to fight against deforestation and support agroforestry projects in developing nations.
The project, 1 Heart 1 Tree, is the idea of conceptual artist, Naziha Mestaoui, who launched it as a Kickstarter in May this year.
The idea is simply this: You download the 1 Heart 1 Tree app, then use its sensor to take your heartbeat. Between November 29 and December 4, a virtual tree will blossom around the Eiffel Tower, growing to the rhythm of your heart. You can watch it live from your app and share it online. The suggested donation of AU$12.50 (approx) will fund 1 real tree. Participants all over the world will be able to connect to the installation through the app, to cover the Eiffel Tower, the Gare du Nord and potentially the Arc de Triomphe with their own personal saplings. Each virtual tree will be unique.
By planting at least 180 trees this way, 1 Heart 1 Tree will cancel out the carbon footprint left by the 60 projectors and nine miles of wire that bring the public installation to life. The Eiffel Tower and other Parisian landmakrs will glow green during the United Nations Climate Change Conference to send the UN a strong message about sustainability and deforestation in modern policy.
“The aim is to reconnect us with ourselves, others and our environment and give the power to anyone to act to change the world,” Mestaoui stated.
The website displays this message, “How we treat the environment is one of the biggest challenges the world is facing. And the COP21 is the most important international environmental event of the year, gathering 196 nations to find solutions to tackle climate change. Protecting forests is essential to supporting a healthy environment: trees are one of the solutions to fighting the greenhouse effect, saving clean water, and providing a habitat for wildlife. Trees are also a source of life and energy.
“1 Heart 1 Tree is an artistic and collective event with a long-term positive impact. In the project, art becomes action. Together we will create a unique work of art on the Eiffel Tower, while showing world leaders that climate change is a serious issue that people care about.”
