Ghanaian Environmentalist Breaks Guinness World Record by Hugging 1,123 Trees in One Hour

Abubakar Tahiru, a 29-year-old environmentalist from Ghana, has set a new Guinness World Record by hugging 1,123 trees in one hour at the Tuskegee National Forest in Alabama. Tahiru, who is currently pursuing a master's degree in forestry at Auburn University, completed the remarkable feat while fasting for Ramadan.

The record attempt took place under strict guidelines, requiring Tahiru to wrap both arms around each tree in a close embrace for about three seconds. He was not allowed to hug any tree more than once or cause damage to the saplings. Despite the challenges of the repetitive hugging motion, moving quickly between trees, and not being able to consume water due to his fast, Tahiru persevered and averaged an impressive 19 tree hugs per minute.

Tahiru's achievement surpassed the previous record of 700 trees hugged, set by another environmental advocate. Growing up in a farming community in Tepa, Ghana, Tahiru developed a strong interest in nature and its conservation from a young age. He moved to the United States in 2023 to further his education and deepen his involvement in forestry.

Why this matters: Tahiru's tree-hugging endeavor serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that individuals can have on the environment through small but meaningful actions. By raising awareness about the importance of trees and environmental conservation, he aims to inspire youth in Ghana and around the world to make a positive difference.

After setting the record, Tahiru expressed his determination to continue advocating for the protection of the environment. "This Guinness World Record is a meaningful gesture to highlight the critical role of trees in our ecosystem and the urgency of environmental conservation," he stated. Tahiru plans to collaborate with environmental organizations and work on sustainable forestry practices to further his mission of safeguarding nature for future generations.

Key Takeaways

• Ghanaian environmentalist Abubakar Tahiru set a new Guinness World Record by hugging 1,123 trees in 1 hour.
• Tahiru completed the feat while fasting for Ramadan at Tuskegee National Forest in Alabama, USA.
• The previous record was 700 trees hugged, set by another environmental advocate.
• Tahiru's achievement aims to raise awareness about the importance of trees and environmental conservation.
• Tahiru plans to collaborate with organizations to advocate for sustainable forestry practices.