Climate Change (here we go again)

Trees. Oxygen.

What do these two have in common? During the chemical process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide and produce the oxygen we breathe. Trees also improve air quality and the climate, conserve water, preserve soil, and support wildlife. Using trees in cities to deflect the sunlight reduces the heat effect caused by pavement and commercial buildings.

Trees are an essential part of our life – you find them in abundance along streets, in parks, playgrounds, and backyards. They provide not only food, medicine, and tools but shade from the sun and shelter from the elements. Trees absorb and store rainwater which reduces runoff and sediment deposit after storms. This helps the groundwater supply recharge, prevents the transport of chemicals into streams, and prevents flooding. Fallen leaves make excellent compost that enriches the soil.

As of this writing, the Amazon Rain Forest (yes, RAIN forest) is still on fire and has been for months. With its millions of trees, the Amazon provides 20% of the oxygen on this planet we call Earth. And of course, hundreds of thousands of living creatures call trees their home. Without trees and without a Plan B to replace those trees, all of us on Earth - the trees, the plants, the animals, the insects, the fish, us humans, are in danger of no clean air to breathe. Without this source, scientists predict atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations would increase and contribute towards higher global temperatures, thus making the viability of the Amazon a global concern. Further, when the forest is lost due to fire, additional carbon dioxide is released to the atmosphere, and could potentially contribute significantly to the total carbon dioxide content.

Also as of this writing, the country of Australia (yes, the WHOLE country) is on fire. Millions of acres of trees and animals will perish. Sounds overwhelming, the thought – doesn't it?

Trees are beautiful. They are the standing people on Earth. They change colors to brighten our dispositions, provide flowers to brighten our smiles and drop all kinds of foods to widen our bellies. Trees whisper to us to calm our mental state, yell at us when inclement weather is approaching, and lecture us about the need to plant more of them. They help record our history, and they become intricately linked with our life span. It's no wonder that organizations like Sierra Club, Arbor Day Foundation, American Forests, Trees for the Future, and Rain Forest Action Network, to name a few, have sprung up all around the globe focused on planting trees.

The next time you run out of rubber gloves, sponges, wine corks, chewing gum, car wax, hair dye, and..chocolate, think about a tree because that's what produces these items.

Planting a Billion Trees can help save the Earth from deforestation. It's a big number, but it can be done with your help. Click on the link for more info.

https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/plant-a-billion/

Thank you from a dedicated tree lover.

JoAnn