Too often, our verdant companions are seen as nothing more than commodities. Dig this: according to the
Wisconsin Paper Council,
an “interesting rule of thumb is that an acre of forested land may
yield an average of 10 – 15 cords of wood when harvested at
maturity—depending not only on the size of the trees, but how
productively the land has been managed.”
One cord can typically yield
any of the following:
12 dining room table sets (seating eight)
250 copies of the Sunday New York Times
942 one-pound books
460,000 personal checks
4,384,000 postage stamps
7,500,000 toothpicks
Astoria, on the other hand, needs trees, not toothpicks.
Here are seven simple ways to see your leafy neighbors in a new light.
1. Oxygen Source
By one estimate,
over a 50-year lifetime, a tree generates $31,250 worth of oxygen and
provides $62,000 worth of air pollution control. The process is rather
fundamental: during photosynthesis, a tree “inhales” CO2 from the air
and then separates the carbon from the oxygen molecules. The carbon is
absorbed by the tree, which then “exhales” pure oxygen back into the air
for us to breathe. In this process, trees also serve as carbon sinks.
As Wise Geek
explains, trees “naturally absorb carbon dioxide for photosynthesis,
sequestering the carbon and converting it into mass while releasing the
oxygen back into the atmosphere.” Such carbon sinks offset carbon dioxide emissions and reduce climate change.
2. Home
Trees are home to many creatures, from microscopic insects to
camouflaged reptiles to feathered friends to wily primates and beyond.
More than 1000 different species of insects live in just one kind of
rain forest tree. Each tree is a vast, thriving ecosystem in and of
itself. The destruction of even a single small tree not only disrupts
natural cycles, but also kills countless creatures.
3. Medicine
For 5.1 billion people—85% of the world’s population—herbs are the
primary source for medicines. Even in a modern society like the U.S.,
plants are the original source materials for as much as 40% of the
pharmaceuticals in use.
4. Shade and Protection
Due to ozone depletion, we earthlings now endure increased amounts of
potentially dangerous ultraviolet radiation. Our tree friends give us
shade and protect us from skin cancer.
5. Pollution Reduction
Trees absorb pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, ozone and nitrogen
oxides, through the stomata in the surface of their leaves. Up to a 60%
reduction in street-level particles has been found on tree-lined streets
and roadways. Trees also muffle urban noise pollution.
6. Flood Prevention
Deforestation negatively impacts the amount of water in the soil and
groundwater and the amount of moisture in the atmosphere. Holding soil
in place, tree roots fight erosion. Fewer trees leads to more runoff
and less sediment deposit after storms which, in turn, puts more
chemicals in our water and increases flooding. Over the course of a
half-century, a single tree can recycle $37,500 worth of water and control $31,250 worth of soil erosion.
7. Beauty
Some people see trees as lumber and a source of profits. Others see
trees as kindred spirits, fellow travelers and stores of wisdom from
which we can learn. As Henry David Thoreau
said, “I frequently tramped eight or ten miles through the deepest snow
to keep an appointment with a beech-tree, or a yellow birch, or an old
acquaintance among the pines.”
I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.
I’ve come here to celebrate Earth Day, so please
Come join me and help spread the message I bring.
Be a friend to the trees and to each living thing.
Sure, trees are fun to climb, to swing on, to picnic under or to hug.
But we’ve reached a critical point on Planet Earth. 80% of the world’s
forests are already gone, and the planet is running a little short on
green. Without proper appreciation and love for our barked
co-inhabitants, well… we’re screwed.
