Since 1997, in Spain, Scientologists plant trees in woodland areas that have been destroyed by fire assisting with the reforestation of these damaged areas. In Valencia, Scientologists worked alongside city officials replanting over 12,000 trees on the surrounding hills that had been destroyed by uncontrolled summer fires.

Ecologically minded South African Scientologists celebrate Earth Day each year with educational campaigns to stress the importance of safeguarding and improving their environment. A church-organized anti-litter campaign in Durban, South Africa, involving hundreds of volunteers from both the church and the community, received special recognition and a warm letter of thanks from the Durban City Council. In Australia, the “Clean Up Australia Day” organization recognized the Church of Scientology’s community clean-up events with a proclamation acknowledging the Church’s “outstanding contribution”. In Melbourne and other Australian cities Scientologists run an ongoing educational campaign to reduce pollution in the environment.

A Commitment to the Environment

Scientologists are constantly engaged in smaller, unreported projects: discouraging neighborhood youth from defiling property with spray cans, or encouraging those around them to keep streets and parks free of litter. These activities are all part of the Church’s larger view that ultimately no dynamic can thrive unless all thrive, and that each man is not only vitally linked to all other men but also to the world in which he lives.