Save The Trees
Trees absorb carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide and release the very oxygen we breathe. Trees hold water and help prevent floods. Trees help preserve the soil. Trees help with temperature control by providing shade. (I was surprised to learn recently that temperatures are higher in poor neighborhoods than in affluent ones. I was flabbergasted by what seemed like a “natural discrimination”! As it turns out poor neighborhoods have fewer green spaces and tree-lined streets to keep them cool!)
How to stop deforestation. How to stop destruction of the rain forest.
Trees globally
The main tree issue globally is massive deforestation and the gradual destruction of the rainforest.
In most cases, deforestation takes place to expand mass-agriculture. (Earth is finite. We can’t expand mass-agriculture, forever. We MUST improve food distribution, reduce food waste and control population growth.)
The rainforest is our collective treasure. It serves as lungs of our planet. It nurtures biodiversity. It shelters undiscovered yet, cures. It protects us from more rapid climate change. It holds archeological mysteries. To trade the immeasurable value of the rainforest for exploitation of its natural resources or for agricultural space is a crime against humanity.
We must fight both, massive deforestation and the gradual destruction of the rainforest.
What can we do right now?
– Sign petitions to stop further environmental damage, to conserve what still is and restore as much as possible.
– Raise public awareness of these issues.
– Promote the prospect of penalizing those who perpetuate environmental destruction for profit.
– Contribute financially to non-profit organizations that protect, conserve and work to restore forests and the rainforest. Here are some:
https://www.amazonwatch.org
https://www.amazonconservation.org
https://www.ran.org
https://www.rainforesttrust.org
Trees domestically
Trees and forests are precious. Many of our forests burned and many burned down entirely in recent years due to the rapid rise in temperatures and increasing drought. (Both, brought about by climate change / global warming)
In Southern California where I live, we have more and more wildlife (including bears and mountain lions) visiting our backyards. These are not overly aggressive animals but survivors of fires and drought on the search for water, food and new living spaces. Yes, the catastrophic fires which burn trees, homes and kill people, kill also countless forest creatures. The lucky few who managed to escape need help.
We have to ensure ecological balance and bring our forests back as well as rethink our water use. Climate change is JUST BEGINNING to call for drastic measures. Mandatory water conservation measures are not far away.
Apart from voluntary water conservation, what can we do right now? PLANT TREES! There are many ways to become involved; the opportunities may vary depending on your location.
There are nationwide and statewide organizations that welcome your hands-on participation and / or donations. The best known nationwide organizations for tree planting are:
https://www.arborday.org
https://www.nationalforests.org/tree-planting-programs
https://www.treepeople.org/
Some of them have programs in your area.
Trees locally
Yes, there are also programs for tree planting in your immediate neighborhood. Search on Google for tree planting, your city. (instead of “your city”, use the actual name of your city.)
In Los Angeles, CA we have https://www.cityplants.org/ which provides free trees for MANY different purposes: for someone’s own yard, street, school, business and more! (You can also symbolically, adopt a tree.)
Trees personally
Take a good look at an old tree, so many of them are simply stunning! Most live several times longer than the average human being.
Trees are important not only for their invaluable contributions. They are also sort of long-lasting natural monuments. Consider commemorating milestones in your life by planting trees. Tree is tangible, living, long-lasting and everyone can see it. You can be with it. It can grow and mature with you. What a way to celebrate a graduation, falling in love with the right person, getting married, welcoming a baby or memorializing a loved one.
Give it a thought!
https://www.alivingtribute.org/
If each of us planted (and tended to) a few trees in a lifetime, they would – to some extent – alleviate the damaging impact of our carbon footprints…
