Go Green Today

Planting a tree has long been a suggestion to better the earth, possibly even preceding the outcry and warning of global warming, water crisis, etc.  It was always one of those quaint ideas opted for to mark a special occasion, or to simply make one’s landscape a little prettier.  Now days, with the new focus clearly pointing to the desperate need for action against the ongoing destruction of our natural resources, it is more common to hear the simple comment that part of what you can actually do to help is to plant a tree.  It seems like such a simple and menial task.  But the truth is; every tree makes a difference.

One of the great functions each tree offers, besides its aesthetic addition, is the sequestering of CO2, carbon dioxide.  To elaborate this importance, it is fair to paint the big picture.  Heat is trapped in the earth’s atmosphere due to high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other heat trapping gases which ultimately prohibit the heat from being released into space.  This is what has caused the virulent phenomenon call “Greenhouse Effect.”  Trees naturally remove CO2 from the atmosphere during the state of photosynthesis and use the gas to form carbohydrates utilized in the plant’s structure/function, and in turn releases the pertinent gas, Oxygen (O2) as a byproduct.  It is considered that trees act as what some call a Carbon Sink, storing the gas in its branches, trunk, leaves etc. instead of leaving the gas to become free floating and further polluting the atmosphere.  In this natural function alone, trees directly reduce the growth of the Greenhouse Effect and counteract Global Warming.

Furthermore, trees offer shade in the summer and act as windbreakers during cooler seasons.  This inadvertently reduces the greenhouse effects by eliminating, or at least minimizing, the need for air conditioners and heaters; respectively reducing the amount of fossil fuels burned as energy.

Studies show that a single tree can soak up as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide in a year and produce enough oxygen to sustain two human beings.  Figuratively, a single human produces approximately 2.3 tons of CO2 per year.  Considering a healthy tree stores about 13 pounds per year, it would take nearly an acre (an acre consumer 2.6 tons annually) of trees to entirely counter the effects of just one human.  In an another sense, an acre of trees covers the CO2 emission of approximately 26,000 miles driven by one vehicle.  There are clearly not enough acres available in the world to be filled with trees to create an enormous dent; however in an ideal lifetime, if every American family planted just one tree, that effort would positively affect the world by reducing 5% of the CO2 released into the atmosphere each year.  In a perfect world, mind you.

On another note, trees are brilliant cleansers.  They remove other pollutants through the stomates in the leaf surface.  This is particularly good in urban areas, so trees should be abundant in city parks, as well they should riddle the landscaping of suburbia.  This is an overall air quality enhancer, and a much needed one at that.  Trees also slow storm water runoff after large downpours and help to control erosion.  They provide natural habitats for many small creatures, and reduce the temperature by providing shade.  All in all, a tree is not just a beautiful creature standing amongst the many phenomenal picturesque settings of this world.  It is a powerful and vital tool that directly ensures our survival.  We, as an entire race, literally would not be alive if it were not for these oxygen pumping machines.  The fact that they help balance the ecosystem and ultimately lend a hand, or rather branch, in reversing the mess we have created is a blessing.  It is a wonder we don’t overzealously run out and plant as many trees as we can find space for, considering the assets provided by such a small amount of effort.  Planting trees really does, in all fairness, save lives.  As previously stated; every tree makes a difference.  That means every person who plants a tree also makes that difference.  It is easier than you think to do your part in the endeavor to be green.

There are countless ways we can all pitch in and make a difference when it comes to jumping on the (finally arrived) bandwagon of going green.  Some of the efforts involved may take a bit more energy out of us and some are more costly.  Then there are others efforts that are nearly free, and take up little extra time in order to continue. Excuses as to why we haven’t actually developed better habits and earth conscious routines are becoming slimmer when considering that we can all truly make a difference; without totally uprooting our lives.  Sometimes it seems too many things are overlooked.  Take eggshells and food scraps, tea bags and coffee grounds.  Like everything else in our crazy world, these small items add up to thousands of pounds of waste very quickly, and they can easily be removed from the ongoing haul of garbage to our overflowing landfills.  Composting is the purposeful biodegradation of organic materials such as yard clippings and food scraps.  In time, it brings back vital organic materials from previously live items that would otherwise be thrown away, left to ferment and cause damaging greenhouse gases such as methane.  In all reality, composting is the original form of recycling.

It is fairly easy to startup a compost and furthermore maintain it.  There are technically two ways to compost: one is for the savvy gardener seeking a rich blend of forest-like humus to provide valuable organic nutrients during planting, potting, and gardening; and the other is simply to eliminate waste and enable to the eco-conscious individual to take yet another step in helping the earth.  The later type of composting is “cold” composting and takes very little effort, turning the materials much slower into the finished composted state.  “Hot” composting involves much more attention, physical turning of the compost, and a more deliberate balance of ingredients.  Both are equally positive, and it solely depends on the intent of the individual. 

There are certain materials that you can compost, and specific materials that you cannot due to potential harm, bacteria, or foul odor.  When beginning to compost for the very first time, it is wise to research an entire list to ensure you are properly making the best out of your kitchen scraps, all the while promoting a healthy organic revolution.  Some of the more common things that are great for decomposition are: eggshells, vegetables, paper (not glossy) or newspaper (made with soy ink), leaves and branches, fruit, tea bags, coffee grounds (with filter), cardboard, some ashes (if only wood), feathers, hair, grass clippings, lint from the dryer, manure, seafood shells, seaweed, and even vegetable soup.  Other items, on the other hand, are a no go: dairy products, meats and bones, cream based soups, diseased plants, pet manure, and anything heavily processed or synthetic (such as barbeque charcoal or glossy/colored paper.)  There are easy instructions available all over the web to guide you in either purchasing or building your own (a much cheaper route) compost bin.  Typically people choose a 3’x3’ or 4’x4’ compost bin, depending on the size of their family and the amount of waste they produce.  The compost site should be carefully considered based on convenience, aesthetics, and placed out of direct sunlight. 
A balanced combination of air, water, and food will quickly restore your unused waste into the organic, nutrient-filled soil that is great for plants, trees, gardens and lawns.  In all reality, this natural form of recycling is an easy way to make a difference.  Not only does it prevent additional waste from being sent to the landfills and reduce the contribution of fermentation into virulent greenhouse gases; it is a natural cycle that ultimately gives back to the earth.