The Natural History of an Ancient Forest’ opined that what we are doing to the forests of the world is simply a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another. Even if we fail to agree with him, don’t we all know how we should be mending our ways? Of course we do. Don’t we all know how we should be planting trees? Of course we do. Yet, don’t we always come up with one excuse or the other why we can’t plant one? Of course we do. Trust me when I say that you will never regret planting a tree. It will give you a bigger return. Do it for your own self, do it for the sake of larger humanity. Whenever you find yourself short of ideas before someone’s birthday or anniversary, just gift a sapling. It works every time. Now let the list speak for itself.
# Climate ChangeThis is no rocket science. You have known this all along. Trees absorb the infamous carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide traps heat and doesn’t let it escape our planet, thus paving the way for global warming. Quite unsurprisingly, an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide is the root cause of most of the environmental crises. No wonder trees are the ‘lungs’ of our globe.
# Noise PollutionThe trees that you see alongside a highway are aesthetically pleasing. Besides, they go an extra mile to peter out noise pollution. Trees are a source of bird songs and the sound of leaves rustling. Now who can say No to that? When you plant trees around your house or even in your neighborhood, you can finally bid goodbye to noises from the airport or nearby school or market. Plant a tree today and welcome home some respite!
# Clean The SoilPhytoremediation is a process by which dangerous chemicals and other pollutants are removed from the soil. Trees may hoard harmful pollutants. If not, they can transform pollutants into less harmful forms. Trees are definitely more awesome than you knew! Additionally, trees filter farm chemicals and sewage. They minimize the effect of animal wastes, clean roadside spills and water runoff into streams.
# Shelter WildlifeOr where else do you think would the crows build their nest? In fact, trees host an innumerable species of insects on which thrive birds and other animals. So trees are a habitat for biodiversity which the Wikipedia defines as “the variety and variability of life on Earth.”
# Healthy LifeYou must know about those deadly UV rays (mostly from those sunscreen commercials), don’t you? Well, trees save you from their ill effects. Since trees fight air pollution, they keep asthma and other respiratory disorders at bay. Moreover, they undoubtedly lessen stress. So the next time you’re depressed, go take a walk in the local park!