Breath In and Thank A Tree

My web perusal today led me to this article on ScienceDaily about a newly-published study that shows us how important trees and forests are. It turns out that trees save lives and prevent respiratory illness. Of course the study points to the fact that the percentage of tree cover is important in determining these benefits:

"In terms of impacts on human health, trees in urban areas are substantially more important than rural trees due to their proximity to people," Nowak said. "We found that in general, the greater the tree cover, the greater the pollution removal, and the greater the removal and population density, the greater the value of human health benefits."

Scientists have long understood the environmental benefits of trees. This most recent study actually helps us to visualize the health benefits. Thank a tree today for the good it is doing in your life. Go out into the woods and celebrate the fact that these trees are collectively holding onto CO₂, helping to reduce the amount of the greenhouse gas from residing in the atmosphere, where it contribute to warming the planet. Be grateful that intact forests provide a range of ecological services ranging from erosion control to temperature control. Do your part to protect the habitat of hundreds - even thousands - of animal species by asking our policymakers to prevent as much deforestation as possible.

Trees are an evolutionary marvel. Without trees, life would be very different on this planet. We get so much of our existence from a life form that cannot move away from our prodding, poking, digging, planting, cutting, and innovative hands. When you realize how much they do for us, it doesn't seem so quirky to hug a tree. It's okay, I won't tell.