Watching the City government takes the effort to improve the environmental conditions of the city through the “adopt-a-tree” activity made me feel hopeful. Trees are one of the greatest things that God has given us. To plant and nurture a tree means that we are one with God’s plans and it shows our appreciation to the Creator’s love for us.
Since time immemorial, trees have provided us two of life’s essential — food and oxygen. As the world evolved, trees furnished wood for us to have shelter and tools, its leaves and roots for us to have medicine. At present, their value increases and additional benefits are being discovered as their function spreads out to satisfy the needs of man and the wants created by people’s contemporary lifestyles.
It is high time that we celebrate the trees.
Trees are vital components of our communities. They help create a tranquil, aesthetically charming atmosphere. They enhance quality of life by bringing natural elements and wildlife habitats into urban settings. They provide the much needed cool shade when families have outdoor activities with friends. They also serve as historic landmarks and a great source of people’s pride.
Trees contribute to our environment not just by providing oxygen. This happens when during the process of photosynthesis, the trees take in carbon dioxide and produce the oxygen we breathe. Trees, shrubs and turf filter the air by removing dust and absorbing other pollutants like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Thus, they improve air quality, alter climate problems, conserve water, preserve soil, and support wildlife.
Trees control climate by mitigating the effects of the sun, rain and wind. On the other hand, the leaves ingest and filter out the sun’s beaming energy thereby keeping things cool during dry and hot seasons. At the same time, trees can preserve warmth by providing us a screen from the harsh wind. As they influence the wind’s speed and direction, they shield us from the downfall of rain, sleet and hail. Trees can also lower the air temperature and reduce the heat intensity of the greenhouse effect by maintaining low levels of carbon dioxide.
Both above and below ground, trees are indispensable to the ecosystems in which they reside. Far reaching roots hold soil in place and fight erosion. Trees absorb and store rainwater which reduce runoff and sediment deposit after storms. This helps the ground water supply recharge, prevents the transport of chemicals into streams and prevents flooding. Fallen leaves make excellent compost that enriches soil.
The main reason why we humans love trees is because they are both exquisite and impressive. No two are alike though. Different species display a seemingly endless variety of shapes, forms, textures and vibrant colors. In other countries, individual trees vary their appearance throughout the course of the year as the seasons change. The strength, long lifespan and majestic stature of trees give them a monument-like quality. Many of us respond to the presence of trees with a pleasurable, mellow, cozy feeling. For some people, planting trees s a way of erecting living memorials of themselves or to commemorate life-changing events.
Economically, individual trees and shrubs have value and contribute to savings. Yet, their collective influence contributing to a well-maintained landscape is what makes a real economic impact and has the greatest effect on property value. Direct economic benefits come from a savings in energy costs. Cooling costs are reduced in a tree-shaded home, and heating costs lowered when a tree serves as a windbreak.
Nonetheless, while we owe so much to the trees (its emotive quality and its importance to other forms of life), the wooded areas of the earth are steadily being exhausted. This in turn leads to the debasement of the environment and the extermination of many species. A real threat that is emerging is that in the very near future, man will destroy a huge proportion of the existing population of other species on earth thereby creating an unlivable environment, and humans will eventually die. When this happens, it will not be the first time that an astronomical proportion of the species on earth will have been destroyed.
However, with the “adopt-a-tree” concept initiated by the city government here in our own place, it might just help change our direction towards the apocalypse. And this is because the planting of trees and the care and protection of mature trees can go a long way to making Dumaguete City a great place to live, work, learn and relax; it can also go a long way towards achieving the preservation of life of the human species on this planet.
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Author’s email: wea_129@yahoo.com
