A Kenyan girl, who earlier this year made headlines by hugging a tree for an astonishing 48 hours in Nairobi’s Michuki Park, is now setting her sights on an even bolder challenge: a 72-hour embrace of a 300-year-old Samaúma tree in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
Truphena Muthoni, currently awaiting the official ratification of her Guinness World Record for the longest tree-hugging marathon, previously held at 24 hours and 21 minutes, has received the green light for her next adventure inside the “lungs of the world”.
“As the world turns its gaze toward COP30 in Brazil, I’m heading to the Amazon with a mission fueled by love, responsibility, and resilience,” Muthoni shared with www.big3africa.org. “I’ll embark on a 72-hour silent tree-hugging marathon at Quilombo do Abacatal.”
The Amazon rainforest, often dubbed the “lungs of the Earth,” plays a crucial role in regulating the planet’s climate and oxygen supply. Spanning over 2.5 million square miles and straddling nine countries of Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and the overseas territory of French Guiana, it proudly holds the title of the world’s largest tropical rainforest.
This sprawling ecosystem, which stretches from the Atlantic Ocean and encompasses the Amazon River Basin and the lush Amazon Rainforest, is a veritable treasure trove of biodiversity. It houses a staggering 10% of the planet’s known species and contributes a remarkable 15 to 16% of the world’s total river discharge into the ocean.
With billions of trees standing tall, this forest absorbs tons of carbon dioxide each year, playing a crucial role in slowing down climate change. It also produces a whopping 20% of the Earth’s oxygen, earning it the well-deserved title of the “Lungs of the Earth.”
By shining a spotlight on the Amazon, Muthoni aims to awaken global collective conscience about how we treat Mother Nature: “In a time when modern development threatens ancestral ecosystems and communities, I believe it is essential to pause, reflect, and show the world that protecting the planet is not optional, but a shared human duty,” she passionately stated to www.Big3africa.org
It is estimated that over 20% of global rainforests have already been destroyed due to land clearing for agricultural production, logging, mining, and other human activities. In addition to its devastation of the natural environment, deforestation also contributes significantly to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
“My 72-hour challenge is an act in solidarity with the Quilombo communities, who have long safeguarded the Amazon rainforest. As discussions around the future of this land unfold, my presence at Quilombo do Abacatal is a reminder that progress must also appreciate that justice and sustainability must walk hand in hand,” says Muthoni.
So, as Muthoni prepares to wrap her arms around this ancient giant, she’s not just hugging a tree; she’s embracing a cause that resonates with the very heartbeat of our planet.
