Imagine a World Without Trees
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Can you Imagine Life Without Trees?
I can't! I have to admit I have a thing for trees. Not only are they beautiful in all seasons, they are also extremely generous.
At a conference I attended, we had to imagine what would happen if we didn't have enough water. One person said that we take water for granted and need to learn to respect the gift of water.
The fact is that we could not live without water and the same could be said for trees.
In our interconnected world, what we do to our trees affects our water, other species and us. As a human species, we could not live without trees. Can you imagine it?
Trees
are the Lungs of the Earth
If A Tree Falls
Bruce Cockburn
Listen while you peruse this lens.
The Benefits of Trees
Trees Are Generous
It would probably be enough if trees just provided beauty (which they do), but they do so much more.
* They provide shade and protection for hundreds of species.
* Trees help clean our air and stabilize temperature.
There is a mutual relationship with trees and humans and other species. Trees breathe out oxygen and breathe in carbon, while other species breathe out carbon and breathe in oxygen.
* Trees act as a noise barrier.
* Their roots help to keep the ground stable and prevent soil and water runoff.
* Some trees provide nutritious food such as fruit, nuts, seeds, or oils.
* A decaying tree still provides essential nutrients for other species. Nothing from a tree goes to waste.
Amazing, isn't it?
We are not Separate
We Need Trees; Trees Need Us
Humans and other species have a relationship with trees of mutualism - a relationship between two species of organisms in which both benefit from the association. Hence, we could not live in a world without trees. We are each reflected in the other.
Cooperation or Competition?
The Impacts of Deforestation
What are the Impacts of Deforestation?
Locally and Nationally
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aloshbennett/ / CC BY 2.0
LOCALLY, deforestation can lead to flooding and then drought due to water runoff. Soil erosion affects the quality of agriculture. Another impact of deforestation is species loss, since trees provide habitat for hundreds of species. And, of course, deforestation leads to a huge release of carbon, affecting our climate.
What are the possible LONG-TERM IMPACTS of deforestation? The release of so much carbon can lead to climate change and rising sea levels, resulting in the loss of coral reefs and fish, loss of livelihoods and an increase in tropical diseases, resulting in environmental refugees. Conflicts over wildlife and water are possible.
Source: This in-depth article on LOCAL AND NATIONAL CONSEQUENCES of deforestation.
Population Growth and Forest Loss since 1990
by Mattlemmon on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mplemmon/ / CC BY-SA 2.0
Deforestation is occurring at rapid rates in some countries.
Deforestation Causes Between
10% and 20% of
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Latest News
about trees and the impacts of deforestation
- More Southern trees could be cut to fuel power plants
- The report raises questions about whether the South will have an adequate supply of waste wood, thereby increasing the need to cut trees specifically for biomass plants. In addition to concerns about deforestation, the report says biomass plants could ...
- Guest Column: Lack of communication didn't cut down trees
- When I heard more than 5524 trees, not all pines and not all old, were cut down from just three of our forest preserves and I saw the pictures as well as drove out to the locations where the mutilation and deforestation occurred, it brought a tear to ...
- Program branches out
- Griffore, who is the Community Trees Initiative co-ordinator, said teaching grade school students in the Lambton-Kent District School Board about the impact of deforestation could lead to a healthier environment in the long run.
- Satellites for Climate Checks Get Boost From Durban 'Awakening'
- By combining hundreds of images from satellite coverage with software analysis, experts can analyze patterns of deforestation down to a single tree and calculate the emissions resulting from removing trees that would otherwise sequester carbon dioxide.
My Flickr Photos
Ode to Trees
What Can We Do?
Learn More about Protecting Trees
Tapestry by Kim Manley Ort
* Spend time outside amongst the trees. Fall in love with them.
* Learn more about the impacts of deforestation (at the links below).
* Support restoration of damaged ecosystems.
* Plant trees.
* Support the establishment of parks to protect forests and wildlife.
* Support companies that operate in ways that minimize damage to the environment.
* Share this page with others via email, Twitter, or Facebook.
Source: Mongabay.com
Resources to Learn More about Trees
- NPR: Big Trees and the Lives They've Changed
- In our series, "Big Trees and The Lives They've Changed," we tell the story of a few trees and a few people, in the hopes of capturing what makes them great and what leaves us awed. The series was inspired in part by the works of Kentucky poet, essayist and novelist Wendell Berry, who was interviewed for the series by NPR's Ketzel Levine.
- TreeLink
- TreeLink provides the knowledge and local TreeBanks offer a proactive way for anyone to act on their green intentions and support local community trees. Dollar for dollar, there is no better investment in the local environment.
- Alliance for Community Trees
- Join our vital coalition of organizations dedicated to the same cause - restoring community forests for the benefit of all people. ACT is the only national organization solely focused on the needs of nonprofit and community organizations engaged in urban forest protection. Our work is improving the environment where 86% of Americans live: our cities, towns, and villages. Together, ACT's national network of members have planted and cared for 7.8 million trees with help from 450,000 volunteers.
- Lungs of Earth
- We can combat global warming and clean our air with every tree we plant. Lungs Of Earth is a global tree planting initiative aimed at cleaning our air and cooling our planet by planting trees.
- Conservation International Forest Projects
- This great organization works to protect global biodiversity. Learn about their forest projects.
- Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai
- Taking Root is a film that tells the dramatic story of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai whose simple act of planting trees grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, protect human rights, and defend democracy-a movement for which this charismatic woman became an iconic inspiration.
- 10 Reasons to Really Love Trees (as if you didnt' already)
- by Mickie Z. Why be a friend to the trees? If nothing else, there's a little something I like to call survival. As you'll soon see, trees are essential to our species and many, many others.
- 5 Ways to Value a Tree
- by Planet Green
- Green World Campaign
- The Green World Campaign has a bold agenda: Turn degraded lands green again. Raise the living standards of the rural poor. Combat climate change. Create holistic ways to work for the health of our shared biosphere and the harmony of our global village.
“Trees have to receive from us a certain deference, and respect, as we would extend to any neighbor.”
I Go Among Trees and Sit Still
A Poem by Wendell Berry
I Go Among Trees and Sit Still
by Wendell Berry
I go among trees and sit still.
All my stirring becomes quiet
Around me like circles on water.
My tasks lie in their places
Where I left them, asleep like cattle.
Then what I am afraid of comes.
I live for a while in its sight.
What I fear in it leaves it,
And the fear of it leaves me.
It sings, and I hear its song.
A Timbered Choir: The Sabbath Poems 1979-1997
Amazon Price: $8.85 (as of 02/16/2012)
List Price: $14.95
Anything by Berry is worth reading.
Taking Root - The DVD
The Story of Wangari Maathai
![Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai by Lisa Merton & Alan Dater [DVD] ISBN: 978-1-57448-237-9 [New Day Films]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512Lr2n2DrL._SL160_.jpg)
Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai by Lisa Merton & Alan Dater [DVD] ISBN: 978-1-57448-237-9 [New Day Films]
Amazon Price: (as of 02/16/2012)
List Price:
Books on Trees
available through Amazon
Books on Trees to Share With Children
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
I believe that it offers a powerful lesson. Why is the boy often sad and in trouble? The tree is just there doing its thing and available to the boy. I know trees are not happy or sad but, in this case, the tree accepts its fate without judgment while the boy never seems to figure that out.
The Giving Tree 40th Anniversary Edition Book with CD
Amazon Price: $9.50 (as of 02/16/2012)
List Price: $18.99
It will spark a conversation!
The Lorax
by Dr. Seuss
The Lorax (Classic Seuss)
Amazon Price: $8.92 (as of 02/16/2012)
List Price: $14.95
It was published in 1971 and still rings true today. Another classic for all ages to spark a conversation. Here's an excerpt:
"I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.
I've come here to celebrate Earth Day, so please
Come join me and help spread the message I bring.
Be a friend to the trees and to each living thing."
Trees on Cafe Press
Don't Forget...
... to hug a tree today.
Can you Imagine a World Without Trees?
How do you show your appreciation?
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cmoneyspinner
Feb 15, 2012 @ 5:14 pm | delete
- SquidLiked this lens. Someone posted a link to it on their GOOGLE+ profile. That's how I found it. No I can't imgaine a world without trees. Perhaps you might consider reading my article "Is Tree sitting Really Necessary?
Here is the link:
http://treathyl-fox.suite101.com/is-tree-sitting-really-necessary-a390373
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Steve_Kaye
Feb 9, 2012 @ 11:58 pm | delete
- Trees matter. One of our favorite places is Sequoia National Park. It contains Giant Sequoia Trees, some of which are over 2,000 years old. Thank you for making this lens.
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Steve_Kaye
Feb 9, 2012 @ 11:57 pm | delete
- Trees matter. One of our favorite places is Sequoia National Park. It contains Giant Sequoia Trees, some of which are over 2,000 years old. Thank you for making this lens.
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bluefire1020
Feb 9, 2012 @ 1:03 pm | delete
- I would also prefer living in a place with many trees, it's more refreshing! However we're currently living in the Middle East where in most places you would only see Dates and it's so hot during summer. Thanks for sharing this lens. =)
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flicker
Feb 4, 2012 @ 11:31 pm | delete
- Wonderful lens! I love trees, too. And all of nature. Thanks for this lens.
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About the Author
More Pages Related to Sustainability and Trees
by kimmanleyort
Mother, wife and photographer who never stops learning. I love trees, especially photographing them, and I could not imagine a world without them.
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