We are encircled with a sheath of concrete & cement structures all around, that our urban settlements have created havoc for the environment. The rapid migration is mushrooming constructions, leading to the demolition of trees. We are urbanizing to an extent that, our lifestyles are fabricating some perilous effects.
Trees not only grace our sidewalks but are home to several arboreal species & render some shelter to those who seek a few minutes to cool off in their challenging work schedules.
Here’s shedding some light on why we need these nature grown resources:
- They produce oxygen – A fully grown, leafy tree produces as much oxygen during a season as 10 people inhale in a whole year.
- Clean the soil- Trees can either store harmful pollutants or change the pollutant into less harmful forms. They harness the capacity to filter sewage and farm chemicals, reduce the effects of animal wastes.
- Control the floods – Trees have an inbuilt nature to hold vast amounts of water that would otherwise stream down hills and flow along rivers. Thus, they are a vital aspect of stormwater management for many cities.
- Trees control noise- They can stifle urban noise as effectively as stone walls. Trees, planted at strategic points in neighbourhoods or around your house, can abate major noises example: airports, highways.
- Improves our mental health- When you are feeling exasperated, it may be due to the scorching heat, physically & mentally taxing work, it can be anything. Just a few minutes of relaxation under the shadow of a tree yields to improved cognitive health. According to a study, hospital patients who can see trees out of their windows are hospitalized for fewer days compared to the patients who are not.
- They inhale carbon – To produce its food, trees need to absorb and lock away carbon dioxide in the wood, roots and leaves. Carbon dioxide is a global warming suspect. A forest is a carbon storage area or “sink” that can lock up as much carbon as it produces.
- They clean the air- They absorb harmful pollutants in the air such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. They remove these air pollutants by lowering air temperature – through respiration and by retaining particulates.
Trees are nature’s longest-lived creations; they fuel us with fresh air, soothe our psyches & create our connection with the mother nature. The quote below states the dire need to plant trees. It’s time we plant & give shade for the generations to come.
“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
― Warren Buffett