During lockdown, 6-year-old Aleesha began writing letters and emails to companies and politicians to find out what they are doing to help save rainforests.
Aleesha, who is in year 1 at Hollygirt School, first became inspired to help the planet whilst taking part in a school project. She learnt about trees being chopped down and animals losing their homes.
Following sending her letters and emails, she had responses from Mondelēz International (Cadbury), Kimberly-Clark Corporation (Huggies, Andrex, Kleenex, etc), Douwe Egberts, Keir Starmer MP, Ocado and Nestlé.
She even had a handwritten response from Sir David Attenborough himself, plus a reply from Buckingham Palace on behalf of the Queen!
Aleesha’s next incredible mission is to fundraise for the rainforests. The 6-year-old’s goal is to raise £1000 by clocking up miles around West Bridgford on her pink scooter during her summer holidays.
Aleesha said, “I am raising money for Cool Earth. I would like to do my part and save the rainforests. All the money raised will go towards making this a greener planet.
“Please help save the planet and think about climate change. We only have one Earth so let’s treat it better! It’s not just our home, it’s the home of lots of different animals and they can’t speak up, so let’s do that for them.”
Pooja Gadhia, Aleesha’s mum said, “We are super proud of Aleesha. I hope that Aleesha’s mission encourages others her age to get involved and help save the planet.”
In the Amazon rainforest alone, a single square mile of rainforest often houses more than 50,000 insect species.
Tropical forests have the highest carbon density of all forest types due to their ability for vast carbon sequestration. Therefore, protecting rainforest is one of the most effective actions we can take to tackle climate breakdown.
Deforestation releases as much carbon into the atmosphere as the global transport sector and destroys the best carbon capture and storage technology we have
The reality of climate change is no longer up for debate. It is real and it is happening now. Our changing climate is the most pressing challenge facing our world today. Forest loss plays a major part in this, contributing to more than 12% of all CO2 emissions. Keeping rainforest standing is the simplest and cheapest way to mitigate climate change.
Cool Earth is a charity that works alongside rainforest communities to halt deforestation and its impact on climate change.
If you would like to support Aleesha’s inspiring mission, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/aleesha-gadhia
