MEXICO CITY — Officials in Mexico said they’re considering allocating 1% of the military budget for a countrywide tree planting program, with the aim of restoring forests and combatting climate change. President Claudia Sheinbaum proposed dedicating $24 billion of the military’s annual budget to support six million tree planters in the reforestation of around 15 […]

Key ideas:

  • Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum proposed allocating 1% of the military’s annual spending, or around $24 billion, to support six million tree planters in the reforestation of around 15 million hectares (37 million acres).
  • If carried out successfully, it would be the largest reforestation effort in the country’s history, equivalent to the surface area of all of Guatemala, Belize and El Salvador combined.
  • Military participation in reforestation programs has struggled in other parts of the region, critics noted, while pointing out that Mexico’s congress may cut funding for conservation in other government agencies.