The changing climate due to the impact of human activities is irrefutable, the question is what can you do about it?
One thing that each and everyone of us can do is plant trees. According to recent analysis by ecologist Thomas Crowther and colleagues at ETH Zurich, a Swiss university ‘There is enough room in the world’s existing parks, forests, and abandoned land to plant 1.2 trillion additional trees, which would have the CO2 storage capacity to cancel out a decade of carbon dioxide emissions.’
The research argues that planting these trees is ‘one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gases’.
Benefits of trees
According to research by Planet Ark a large healthy tree can sequester up to 93kg of CO2 and 1.4kg of air pollution a year. Further a five per cent increase in tree cover can reduce nearby daytime temperatures by 2.3C, which could be crucial as heatwaves cost more lives than all other climate change impacts combined.
National Tree Day
Planet Ark National Tree Day is one way to take charge of creating positive change on the climate emergency. Mayor of Tweed, Katie Milne, urged Tweed residents to come along to National Tree Day at Chillingham to take action for the environment and the community.
‘Revegetation makes a positive contribution to tackle the global challenge of climate change, and also improves water quality and biodiversity,’ Councillor Milne said.
Plantings are taking place around the region on Sunday 28 July at:
Tweed: Chillingham Community Centre 1469 Numinbah Road, Chillingham. Plantings will take place along the bank of the Rous River from 9am to 1pm.
Ballina: Skennars Head The Coast Road, East Ballina 10am till 1pm. The planting site is half way between Skennars Head and Flat Rock car park.
Lismore: Simes Bridge, Winterton Parade, North Lismore. Plantings will take place from 9am till 1pm.
Fingal Head: Lighthouse Parade, Fingal Head. Plantings to take place 9 till 11am.
Find out about more plantings near you online at National Tree Day, Planet Ark.
Any quantity of carbon sequestration by trees is massively overestimated.
Very recent research has shown trees emit a not inconsiderable amount of methane.
Lifestyle change, lower consumption and carbon farming the soil will have a greater impact than planting a tree with a 50/50 chance of survival.