WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN EVERYONE PLANTS ONE TREE??

Today, we are discussing teamtrees.org’s mission. Their goal is to plant twenty million new trees. You may wonder, “What impact will planting twenty million new trees have on the planet?” Let’s explore the significant difference each donation to teamtrees can create!

Many organisms live in trees. This includes lichen, bees, and possums. A single mature oak tree can support up to 500 different species. Unfortunately, we are losing species at a rapid rate. We are experiencing a mass extinction. Without trees, many animals face extinction. Trees provide essential habitats, food sources, and protection. When we plant a tree, we are essentially creating a home, a feeder, and a nursery for wildlife.

Planting twenty trees is similar to creating a large animal city. If we multiply that by a million, we envision a massive metropolis filled with diverse animal life. Research indicates that spending time in a grove or forest can enhance emotions. It boosts your mood and fosters a sense of peace. Moreover, it reduces stress, depression, and anger. The Japanese even have a term for this concept: Shirin-yoku, which means 'forest bathing'.

Trees have an emotional and physical impact. Studies show that being around trees lowers blood pressure. It also decreases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. In simple terms, trees contribute to happiness.

Research indicates happier individuals commit fewer crimes. This is especially true for violent crimes. Even a small grove of trees can be beneficial.

Planting twenty million new trees could create thousands of groves. This means millions of people could enjoy regular forest baths. The result? Increased happiness and a reduction in crime.

You can be a crime fighter by planting trees. Trees play an important role in cooling the environment. They block sunlight and create shade, which helps lower air temperature. Additionally, trees reflect heat upward from their leaves. When moisture evaporates from the leaves, it also cools the air, similar to how your body cools by sweating. Overall, trees can significantly cool down an area.

Urban neighborhoods with mature trees can be much cooler in summer. They can be up to 11 degrees cooler than those without trees. Imagine a scorching 90-degree day compared to a pleasant 79 degrees. Trees also help cool down buildings. This reduces the need for air conditioning. Less air conditioning is better for energy conservation. Studies show that shade from well-placed trees can cut air conditioning costs by 20% to 30%.

Imagine an average home that has a cooling power bill of about $100 each month in the summer. If that house has ten trees planted around it, it could save 30% on its bill. That means if we plant 20,000,000 trees around homes, we could save $60,000,000 in energy costs! If you cannot donate to this cause, consider planting some trees around your home. They will add beauty to your property, and they might save you money on your future power bills.

Trees can serve as effective sound barriers. They reduce noise in two main ways. First, their thick branches and leaves absorb high-frequency sounds. Second, they deflect sound waves. When sound strikes rigid surfaces, it bounces back. However, flexible materials like branches vibrate and convert sound into other forms of energy. A dense row of trees can block up to fifteen decibels of sound. This level of noise reduction is similar to wearing earplugs. Plus, with trees, you can enjoy a beautiful view instead of dealing with uncomfortable foam in your ears.

Tree root systems are essential for preventing soil erosion during heavy rainstorms. They help stop flooding and mudslides, protecting people and buildings. Trees also enhance water quality. Their roots filter impurities and retain water in the soil. This process recharges water tables. As a result, less water ends up in sewers. This reduces the stormwater that carries pollutants to the ocean. A 100-foot tall tree can extract up to 11,000 gallons of water from the soil during its growing season. It releases this water as clean oxygen and water vapor. Trees play a vital role in our environment.

Twenty million trees can filter a massive 220 billion gallons of water. That volume is enough to fill over 300,000 Olympic swimming pools. Humans take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. Trees do the opposite. They absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. This process produces oxygen as a by-product. However, excess carbon dioxide is accumulating in our atmosphere. This buildup is intensifying the greenhouse effect. It is also contributing to global warming.

More trees mean more carbon dioxide absorption. This helps reduce overall carbon in the atmosphere. The oxygen produced by a tree varies. Factors include the tree species, its health, and the surrounding temperature. A single mature tree absorbs about 48 pounds (21.77 kg) of carbon dioxide each year. It can produce enough oxygen to sustain two humans. On a larger scale, one acre of trees consumes as much carbon dioxide as driving a standard car for 26,000 miles (41,842 km) each year.

If we assume that an acre has about 300 trees, we see a significant impact. Twenty million new trees could absorb enough carbon dioxide to offset the emissions from a car driving over 1.7 billion miles each year. Trees do more than just absorb carbon dioxide. They also take in harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. The canopies of trees serve as physical filters. They trap dust, pollen, smoke, and smog. A single mature tree can remove up to 2.20 pounds (1.7 kg) of pollutants each year. Therefore, twenty million trees could remove up to 44 million pounds of harmful substances annually.

Studies show the air can have up to 75% less dust on the sheltered side of a tree compared to the windward side. Dust in the air is unpleasant for everyone. It's beneficial to plant trees for yourself and your neighbors. Do your part to clean the air; plant a tree today!