Karachi: May 9, 2016. (By Mansha Noor) Air pollution is a major problem across the country, affecting the health of thousands each year while Karachi is ranked number one in noise pollution in the country and eighth in the world. To celebrate the 47th Priesthood Ordination Anniversary of Rev. Fr. Augustine Soarea, Parish Priest of St. Jude’s Parish, Caritas Pakistan Karachi under the Livelihood program organized Tree plantation at St. Jude’s Parish by planting more than one hundred trees of various species, including the Neem and Conocarpus species. The initiative is part of the Caritas Pakistan Karachi ongoing tree plantation campaign 2016 “Trees for the Earth” to save earth and save life launched by Caritas Karachi in collaboration with the Churches and the support of the Karachi Social Forestry and Sindh Forest Department. Mr. Mansha Noor, Executive Secretary, shared the objective of program and said, “Today we gathered here to plant trees to show love to save our mother earth and environment from pollution. It is imperative to decrease the level of the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Trees absorb carbon dioxide which is harmful for human health and produce oxygen which vital for human health and our atmosphere.” He further shared, “In fact that, in a single year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the same amount of CO2 produced by the driven car 26,000 miles at an average. Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.” His Honorable Mr. Khalil George, member National Assembly of Pakistan Muslim League was the chief guest and His Grace Joseph Coutts Archbishop of Karachi also graced the occasion as special honorable guest, the other Distinguish Guests were Mr. Augustine Gill, Executive Board member of Caritas Pakistan, Mr. Shafiq Bhatti, Mr. John Rehmat, Mr. Naveen Rogers and Mr. Javed Iqbal from Caritas Pakistan Karachi. The Honorable Mr. Khalil George (MNA), in his remarks said, “I appreciate Caritas Pakistan Karachi for organizing tree plantation campaign ‘Trees for the Earth’ to create awareness among communities and children about their environment and earth and planted trees to greener the environment to fight against climate change.” He extended full cooperation and support for this campaign and announced to help Caritas to donate Mangroves plants and provide the logistic support through Karachi Port Trust (KPT) for Mangroves plantation for the coastal areas of Karachi to protect the livelihood of the Fisher Folk Communities.” His Grace Joseph Coutts Archbishop shared, “Trees absorb carbon dioxide which is harmful for human and produce oxygen which is vital for health and our atmosphere. Action on war foot basis is needed to plant more and more trees in our community and all parishes to save mother earth.” He concluded his remarks stating, “Today we have committed our self to protect the trees which we planted today because trees are our friends.” Afterwards His Honorable Mr. Khalil George (MNA), His Grace Joseph Coutts Archbishop of Karachi, Rev. Fr. Augustine Soars, Mr. Mansha Noor, started planting Neem trees at the ground of St. Jude’s Parish as a gesture to combat climate change and deforestation. His Grace Joseph Coutts, Archbishop Prayed for the success of the campaign and blessed all the trees planted. In the end Rev. Fr. Augustine Soars presented traditional Ajraks (Sindhi shawl) to the Honorable Chief Guest on behalf of Caritas and to His Grace Joseph Coutts Archbishop. Mr. Mansha Noor Executive Secretary presented the Golden Jubilee Booklet of Caritas Pakistan to Chief Guest. His Grace Joseph Coutts also presented traditional Ajrak to Rev. Fr. Augustine Soares on his 47th Priesthood Ordination Anniversary as token of love from Caritas Pakistan Karachi.