The Trimming Tree Population

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.