ESB Tree Week launches today with a survey of parents that reveals almost a third of children in Ireland (31%) have never climbed a tree and 1 in 10 have never even visited a forest or wooded area.

Running from March 6th - 13th, ESB Tree Week hopes to reignite the nation’s  love of trees through hundreds of events all over the country.
 
Showcasing the disconnect Irish people have with trees, ESB embarked on a journey, bringing parents and children through local woodlands, assessing their behaviour and asked both groups, “Why are trees important?”

The journey was brought to life in a short film titled ‘Wood for the Trees’,  available to view at welovetrees.ie.



While parents were distracted by their phones and focused on the functional aspect of trees; oxygen, in stark contrast, the children came to life when surrounded by these magnificent beings and their love for them.
 
People are encouraged to visit welovetrees.ie. to find out about local events happening in their area, and to find ways to get outside to learn, grow and enjoy trees.

Screen time

The findings of the survey also reveal that parents claim nearly half (48%) of Irish children spend more time in front of a screen than outdoors, demonstrating that the proliferation of digital devices in the lives of Irish children is keeping them from enjoying the beneficial effects of trees.

Generational divide

Highlighted in the results was a generational divide, with 74% of parents saying they used to climb trees “often” or “all the time” when they were children, yet they say only 5% of Irish kids climb trees “all the time” today.

Mental Health & Wellbeing

At a time when mindfulness and meditation are increasing priorities for families across Ireland due to work-life imbalances, stress and financial pressure, trees are proven to have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. The research backed this up with 82% of the respondents commenting that walking through a forest has a calming effect on them.

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