The Lungs of Our Planet
Trees are like the lungs of the planet. They breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. Additionally, they provide habitat and food for wildlife such as birds ,squirrels and bugs. Groves of trees provide food and cover for larger mammals, such as racoons and deer.
C02 is one of the major contributing elements to the greenhouse effect.Trees trap carbohydrates that are used for plant growth. They give us oxygen in return. About 800 million tons of carbon are stored in trees that make urban forests of the U.S. This translates to a savings of $22 billion in control costs. Mature trees can absorb about 48 pounds of C02 a year. The tree in turn releases enough oxygen in one year to keep a family of four breathing. By planting 20 million trees the earth and its people will be provided with 260 million more tons of oxygen. Those same trees will remove 10 million tons of C02.
Trees also help reduce ozone levels in urban areas. In New York City, a 10 percent increase in urban canopy translated to a reduction of peak ozone levels by around 4 parts per billion.
Trees reduce urban runoff and erosion by storing water and breaking the force of rain as it falls.The USDA reports that 100 mature trees can reduce runoff caused by rainfall by up to 100,000 gallons!
Let's look at some more statistics:
- A tree planted in the right place around buildings can cut air-conditioning cost up to 50 percent.
- Trees increase the value of property. Houses surrounded by trees sell for 18-25 percent higher.
- Trees are renewable biodegradable and recyclable.
- Trees make people feel good, workers are more productive and hospital patients heal faster when they have a view of trees.
- Trees in our atmosphere relax us, lower our heart rate, and reduce stress.
- Trees also absorb noise pollution, in some cases, a well planted group of trees can reduce noise by up to 10 decibels.
HELP CLEAR THE SMOG WITH YOUR URBAN FOREST: WHAT YOU AND YOUR URBAN FOREST CAN DO ABOUT OZONE.
