We need to plant more trees... it really is that simple.

We need  more trees... it really is that simple.

    What make our planet special is its ability to support life - something it has done for over three and a billion years. One of the main elements that allows for this special ability present nowhere in the universe (as far as we know) is trees. What makes trees special is how they work, absorbing carbon dioxide from our atmosphere using the carbon and then releasing the oxygen - basically they're "giant vacuum bags completely stuffed full of carbon" (Mark Rober). 

    Sadly, trees are being cut down at astonishing rates with up to 7 billion of what is essentially our planets lungs being chopped down each year - this needs to change (Rainforest Action Network). The only way to solve this massive issue is by reducing the amount of trees we chop down, and increasing the amount we plant... it really is that simple.

    It is truly that simple: we just need more trees. And planting trees isn't even that hard, costly, or even time consuming. A perfect example is the trees in a backyard, they were not always there, someone - or something- planted them. Take a simple packet of oak tree seeds as an example, they can grow to becoming towering behemoths filtering out carbon for decades to come - all without much human assistance and that too at a minimal cost (but then again, is there truly a cost to saving the only planet that humans can call home?). Buying trees from a local nursery is also an excellent way to promote the growth of trees as many of these trees are mature and have the ability to absorb carbon and spread seeds. And trees don't have to always be planted in a backyard, donate to organizations like One Tree Planted and Team Trees use donated money to plant trees where they are most needed, talk to your local government about planting trees at an open space preservation,  take up opportunities to plant trees anywhere possible, there is an endless amount of ways to plant trees; we just need more. 

    

Sources:

    https://www.fastcompany.com/90580044/this-new-google-mapping-tool-shows-cities-where-they-need-more-trees?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss 

    https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190911-what-would-happen-if-all-the-worlds-trees-disappeared

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earliest_known_life_forms#:~:text=The%20earliest%20time%20that%20life,Earth%204.54%20billion%20years%20ago.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7nJBFjKqAY&t=648s

https://www.arborday.org/images/figure/figure-teamtrees-earth-trees.png