Most of us tend to see the environment as something that's out there. However, the environment is nothing more or less than our own total interdependence on every living creature.
By refusing to recognise this, we'll end up destroying not only what's out there but also ourselves for we are an intrinsic part of living Earth.
Thirty years ago, as member of a women's group from Kenya in Mexico, I found myself drawn to the story of women in rural areas there. They told us of shortage of firewood, food and clean drinking water.
That triggered off something in me... I began to reconnect to the environment of my childhood. We had plenty of everything. Why not them?
I realised all the shortages were due to degrading of the environment. I suggested tree planting because all these women were talking of issues that were connected to the land, things that were disappearing from the environment as it got degraded. I had stumbled on a very important part of the environment, the tree.
It became crystal clear that the tree was more than firewood. I came to appreciate why the tree is held sacred in many parts of the world for the tree is a symbol of hope and endurance; the tree is the very symbol of life.
I understood why Holy Scriptures give trees special place. I was on a journey of self-discovery. In many cultures — including my own — the tree was the abode of God, just as Mount Kenya was regarded as an abode of God.
When I talk to people of the significance of planting trees I try to share my perception of the tree from all aspects to drive home the point that by taking care of our trees, we help care for the environment and ourselves and all that is part of living Earth.
I do talk about the practical aspects — that we need firewood that we need trees to clean the air we breathe, to help us build homes, to source food, to hold the soil together, to ensure adequate rainfall... I relate all this to daily life and also connect it to holistic philosophies enshrined in Holy Scriptures.
God is presented as an entity — as one who is often depicted as appearing in bushes or trees. In the Bible, God is said to have created the Garden of Eden. What we believe is what we get.
The tree is the only living creature that goes deep into the belly of the Earth and brings out the goodies of the Earth to the surface through its roots and trunk; it brings up all the goodness for common good.
The tree is a powerful recycling 'plant'! More importantly, the tree is our cosmic connector for it brings Earth and Sky together.
Trees survive for hundreds of years. So there is a certain quality of endurance and stability that evokes respect and awe. The tree recycles life and enables us to see the different cycles of life.
Trees give us food in fruits; shade, shelter. In scientific terms, trees fix the problem of carbon emissions by absorbing them.
Trees are natural air-conditioners; they're life-supporting systems. So, go! Plant a tree today. Nurture it for the tree nurtures you.
Noble laureate and recipient of the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding, Wangari Maathai — who has planted more than 40 million trees — spoke to Narayani Ganesh during her visit to New Delhi as guest of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.