In my continuing series on "Stories that don’t make you want to cry", I have found once again the universe lining up to help me. This time though, it’s more than just a step in the right direction, it’s a step away from the brink.

According to Greenpeace, Indonesia had the fastest pace of deforestation in the world between 2000 and 2005, with an area of forest equivalent to 300 soccer pitches disappearing each hour.

But they’re looking to turn things around and, in all reality, on their heads!

Ahead of the U.N. climate change summit being held in their native Bali this December, the Indonesian people – from the lowest to the highest in status, including the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono – will be planting a total of 79 million trees in one day!

Scheduled for November 28th, the tree planting will be part of a global initiative launched at U.N. climate change talks in Nairobi last year. The Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign has so far planted 346,469,727 trees, with a total pledge of 1,130,983,692 trees. 79 million is definitely going to help matters!

"Everybody, residents and officials from the lowest unit of the government to the president, will take part in this movement," said Ahmad Fauzi Masud, spokesman for the Indonesian forestry ministry. "It will be a national record and, possibly, a world record."

Indonesia is listed as Southeast Asia’s biggest economy – not surprising when you’re home to Bali – but sadly, they are also one of the world’s three biggest greenhouse gas emitters, along with the U.S., China and Brazil. This comes as a result of its massive deforestation, in conjunction with peatland degradation and forest fires, according to a recent report sponsored by the World Bank and Britain’s development arm.

Additionally, environmental groups are worried that the continued and rapid growth of palm oil plantations throughout Indonesia are damaging the countries rainforests. Despite the fact that many of these plantations are out to fuel (haha, get it, “fuel”?) new plans for biofuels, the damage to the rainforests may be a greater threat.

Participants from 189 countries will be gathering in Bali this December to discuss a new deal to fight global warming. With the Kyoto Protocol running out in 2012, and in the wake of earlier talks between envoys from participating countries, the talks will hopefully bring about a new goal that countries like the U.S.,, Australia, China and India will all be able to agree too.

ENN - Indonesia to Plant 79 Million Trees in One Day

Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign

Photo © UNEP