“Our goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty. The objective is an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures.”
― Senator Gaylord Nelson
In 1970, Earth Day emerged as a pivotal event, marking the inception of the contemporary environmental movement. Triggered by concerns over pollution and its repercussions on public health, the idea gained momentum through the efforts of Democratic Senator Gaylord Nelson, who sought to channel the fervor of anti-war protests into environmental activism. Aided by Denis Hayes and a dedicated team, Nelson orchestrated a nationwide teach-in, strategically scheduling it for April 22 to maximize student engagement.
Renamed Earth Day, the initiative garnered widespread attention and participation, mobilizing 20 million Americans, a remarkable 10% of the population, to rally against decades of industrial development's adverse effects. This support catalyzed bipartisan action, resulting in the establishment of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and landmark environmental legislation, including the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.
In observance of Earth Day, we want to make forests great again with our partnership with EcoTree. Through our collaboration and your purchases, every $10 investment facilitates the planting of a new tree. Each tree planted can sequester approximately 800kg of carbon throughout its lifespan. Considering the average monthly carbon footprint of an American, estimated at around 1000kg, it's evident that a few transactions with Sainte Jean can effectively offset nearly your entire carbon footprint.
According to EcoTree, here are a few ways their work is a response to climate change:
Sustainable Forest Management
The sustainable forest management we conduct in our forests respects tree diversity, forest soil fertility, and diverse living organisms (bacteria, fungi, insects, mammals, flora, etc.). We avoid chemicals and clear-cutting. We promote the resilience of forest ecosystems through continuous cover silviculture, which is based on natural regeneration, stand irregularisation, and species mixing.
Development of Nature-based Solutions
The Nature-based Solutions we propose align with the recommendations of qualified international bodies (e.g. UN, COP 15) to respond to the societal challenges we face while having a multi-faceted, positive impact on the environment. Defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as "actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously benefiting people and nature," NBS receive only 3% of global climate funding, whereas "30% of climate mitigation needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement can be provided by Nature-based Solutions.
Social Engagement
Our projects include school groups, persons with disabilities, and the unemployed.
Celebrate Earth Day by incorporating Sainte Terre into your jewelry collection and contributing to forest restoration by planting two trees with your purchase. This pendant boasts a 14k two-tone gold tree within a round textured frame crafted from yellow and white gold, fastened securely with a lobster clasp.
Best, Tenay Mathis