So, we know what the problem is. Temperatures are soaring, we have more wild fires, more severe storms and drought, more floods. Deserts are encroaching forests, there is less rainfall and… hang on a minute. We know all this right? The question is:
What are we going to do about it?
According to research done by scientists (see resources/links below), the easiest and cheapest way to mitigate climate change is by planting millions of trees. One of the great things about this is that everyone in the world can help do this!
If you are like most people, you are frightened and unsure what to do as you feel the problem is too big in order for your actions to make a change. So besides minimising consumption, trading your car in for walking, cycling or public transport, banning single use items and recycling/re-using, not flying anymore and supporting locally and regeneratively grown food which will start minimising your ongoing emissions, what can you do to mitigate existing issues related to climate change?
You can take positive action to mitigate climate change. It is cheap and just requires some physical action on your part. PAT! Plant A Tree!
Areas to plant:
- Lobby your council. Make an appointment with your councillor and talk with him/her. Ask whether there are any pieces of undeveloped land that lay barren, that are council owned and can be planted out with trees.
- Ask the council on their policies on planting on verges. If trees (even small ones) cannot be planted there, ask whether there is a chance this policy can be changed for climate change mitigation plans.
- Can more trees be planted in public parks?
- Go door knocking. Look at people’s yards and see whether they can fit more trees in. Show them the benefits of trees (back of this document) and tell them how they wouldn’t need to mow the lawn anymore if there are trees planted instead! Leave a copy of this document with them so they can read at their leisure.
- Talk to your local farmers and give them a copy of this document. Tell them that trees have been found to play a part in generating rainfall and possibly mitigate drought.
- Any piece of land that has no or little trees on it (please ask permission first).
What and how to plant:
- Talk to your local landcare about native species that are best grown in your area.
- Plant fruit and nut trees suitable to the climate you are in, this will enable people to get a harvest as well as have all the other benefits of trees.
- To accelerate tree growth, plant high nitrogen fixing leguminous plants with the tree.
- Try and build multiple layers of trees, check how tall the trees will get and mix sizes up
- Don’t plant trees that grow very large close to buildings. Smaller trees will be fine too.
- Talk to your local nurseries about trees to plant, and use google… lots.
- Don’t be afraid, just plant! Get a shovel, dig a hole, put some compost in the hole around the tree and pat the soil down. Then give the tree a good water. A forest grows on a fallen forest, so trees love wood chip! Put some wood chip around the tree after planting, it will retain the moisture in the soil and will feed the tree over time.
It is our aim to encourage the planting of millions of trees worldwide.
Take action for climate change mitigation and plant trees!
Initiative by PermEco Inc.
Go to these websites: https://www.trilliontrees.org and https://www.trilliontreecampaign.org to become involved in global tree planting initiatives and to learn more about what, when and where. The latter link also allows you to sign up, register the trees you have planted and more!
You can also register with this new initiative: https://eatmycarbon.com
The information on this page can be downloaded for printing by clicking here.
You can hand this document out to people to read in order to convince them of the benefits of planting trees.
More benefits of trees:
Clean air:
Trees produce oxygen, intercept airborne particulates, and reduce smog, enhancing a community’s respiratory health.
Access to trees, green spaces, and parks promotes greater physical activity, and reduces stress, while improving the quality of life in our cities and towns.
Energy conservation:
A tree is a natural air conditioner. The evaporation from a single tree can produce the cooling effect of ten room-size, residential air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.
Temperatures in well treed areas can be at least 6 to 8 degrees lower than in comparable neighbourhoods without trees.
Tree windbreaks can reduce residential heating costs 10-15%; while shading and evaporative cooling from trees can cut residential air-conditioning costs 20-50%.
Water filtration and retention:
Urban forests promote beneficial water quality and reduce storm water management costs.
Wildlife habitat:
Trees provide important habitats for numerous bird, insect and animal species.
Community:
Communities and business districts with healthy tree-cover attract new residents, industry, and commercial activity.
Homes landscaped with trees sell more quickly and are worth 5% to 15% more than homes without trees.
Where the entire street is tree-lined, homes may be worth 25% more.
Trees enhance economic stability by attracting businesses; people linger and shop longer when trees are present.
Where a canopy of trees exists, apartments and offices rent more quickly and have a higher occupancy rate; workers report more productivity and less absenteeism.
Treed areas have been found to have a lower crime rate than areas without trees.
Rainfall:
Trees have been found to play a part in generating rainfall. They may be beneficial to prevent/negate drought conditions.
Awareness is not enough!
Take inspired and empowered action!
Resources/links:
https://canopy.org/tree-info/benefits-of-trees/
https://diygarden.co.uk/wildlife/how-to-prevent-deforestation/
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