In 2019, Amanda Bronkhorst founded JUST ONE Tree with a simple yet powerful mission: to combat climate change through reforestation. What began as a small initiative has grown into a global movement, making a tangible difference to ecosystems and communities worldwide.
The journey started with the first JUST ONE Tree Day – a non-uniform day for the planet where every £1 raised planted a tree – which coincidentally took place just days after Greta Thunberg’s major climate strikes in 2019. News of the upcoming event went viral, reaching over 500,000 people and engaging over 72,000 individuals. Thanks to the enthusiastic response from parents, students and schools, 350 schools participated in the first JUST ONE Tree Day, planting over 100,000 trees and raising climate awareness in the classroom and beyond.
Since then JUST ONE Tree Day has become an annual event in schools across the UK. The funds raised through this initiative not only support reforestation but the day itself brings vital climate change resources into school classrooms at no cost to the schools, ensuring that students gain the knowledge and tools to take meaningful action.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, JUST ONE Tree continued to thrive, expanding its reach and solidifying its role in the climate conversation. The initiative grew, launching additional restoration projects and cultivating corporate partnerships, with schools across more and more countries participating in JUST ONE Tree Day. By 2021, the team had reached the remarkable milestone of planting a tree every 46 seconds, marking just the beginning of its global impact. These accomplishments were a testament to the dedication and hard work of the team and their supporters.
The Power of Schools and Businesses in Climate Action
This success has been made possible through partnerships with schools and corporate donors, whose funding has enabled JUST ONE Tree to plant over five million trees (one every 34 seconds) and engage over 240,000 children across 17 countries in climate education. These efforts have provided over 48,500 days of rural employment and restored vital ocean ecosystems, from mangrove forests that protect coastal communities to kelp regeneration projects that absorb CO₂. The initiative extends beyond land restoration, tackling climate change holistically.
Businesses have played a crucial role in funding these efforts, demonstrating that corporate action can drive meaningful environmental impact. Meanwhile, UK schools are leading the charge in reforestation efforts, embedding sustainability into children’s education and giving young people a sense of agency in tackling the climate crisis – all thanks to JUST ONE Tree Day.
A Call for Parliamentary Support
As JUST ONE Tree celebrates its sixth anniversary in 2025, the team is advocating for JUST ONE Tree Day to become a permanent fixture in the UK school calendar. With climate anxiety on the rise among young people, embedding an annual event that empowers students to take real-world climate action is more important than ever.
JUST ONE Tree needs all the help it can get from MPs from all parties who believe in a brighter future for today’s children. Champion JUST ONE Tree Day and help secure its place as a nationwide initiative. By backing this movement, Parliament has an opportunity to support a proven, scalable solution that equips the next generation with knowledge, action, and hope.
Amanda Bronkhorst’s vision for JUST ONE Tree was inspired by her desire to create a better future for her daughter. Six years on, the organisation continues to grow and evolve, now as a partner in the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The team remains committed to their mission of reforestation and environmental education, empowering individuals and communities to take action against climate change. With each tree planted, JUST ONE Tree has shown that small actions lead to large-scale change. Amanda’s message is clear: anyone can make a difference, regardless of the size of their contribution.
With government support, the UK has the opportunity to set a powerful example in climate education and restoration efforts—empowering future generations to tackle the climate crisis and ensuring a healthier, greener world for all. Let’s empower students. Let’s plant trees.
About JUST ONE Tree
JUST ONE Tree is a non-profit initiative and a partner in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. We remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and restore biodiversity by regenerating ecosystems on land and in the ocean. We make it simple—just £1 plants 1 tree.
We plant in areas severely affected by deforestation to have the greatest impact on reducing global warming while supporting local communities with agricultural education, training, and sustainable incomes.
Through our global JUST ONE Tree Day in schools, we help shape the next generation of planet-conscious thinkers, raising climate awareness and bringing environmental education into classrooms around the world.
www.justonetree.life
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