Trees are falling, just as their
leaves do in the fall. Most commonly people look to the trees for shade, but
despite their ability to provide shade, they hold the potential to answer
pressing environmental issues.
Trees are beneficial for many
different reasons. Most commonly people recognize that trees and plants in
general work through photosynthesis to convert sunlight into food for insect,
wildlife, and people. Trees also create natural shade, wood for fuel,
furniture, and even homes.
Unfortunately, humans are cutting
down one of the most natural and beautiful species on earth. Not only are
humans getting rid of trees—they are eliminating the biggest and strongest
trees of all. But why? Humans are uneducated and unaware of the harmful effects
that come with cutting down trees.
Marine chemist, Katsuhiko Matsunaga
says that, “What trees do is essential though often not obvious.” He seeks to
explain the many benefits of trees, which I think should also be reiterated.
First off, the leaves that fall from trees and decompose put acids in the ocean
that help to fertilize plankton. When plankton thrives, so does the entire food
chain. Second, trees are natural water filters. Trees are filters because a
dense community of microbes surrounds tree roots that clean water in exchange
for the nutrients. Not only do trees clean the water, but they also clean the
air. For people with bad asthma it is recommended to live in suburbs with more
trees because they filter air pollution. Trees also provide support to humans
in an emotional and physical way. It is hard to imagine this, but Japanese
researchers now claim that it is beneficial for people to go “forest bathing.”
Forest bathing is when people walk in the woods; on this journey peoples levels
of stress chemicals are reduced, their killer cells in the immune system
increase and help fight off infections, and it reduces anxiety and depression
for humans.
After seeing the positive effects
trees have on humans it is also important to recognize that chemically trees
also reduce beneficial chemicals that in turn regulate the climate. With out
trees the climate would have no chemicals to change the climate. One of the
most known ways trees help the environment chemically is that they emit carbon
dioxide to make the planet warmer.
Without trees the world would be
doomed. They food chain would collapse, water would need another way to be
filtered, air pollution would increase and cause health issues, and chemical
alterations would dissipate and the earth would potentially become a much
cooler place when the carbon dioxide is less plentiful.
So what can you do now that you
know more about how trees benefit the climate and daily life? How about trying
to plant a tree, sit in a tree, and SAVE a tree. No forest is too wide for
people to bind together and save. Remember saving the trees now only creates a
better future for all.
To find out more information visit Why Trees Matter by the NYTimes.
