Saturday 22 April 2017

FOR THE LOVE OF TREES



THIS POST TALKS ABOUT TREES, FORESTS AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
IF ALL TREES DIED, WOULD HUMANS LIVE?
BY: FUNMITO ODEFEMI
Carbon dioxide is the climate’s worst enemy! It is released when oil, coal, and fossil fuels are burned for energy and even when you breathe!!! Mother Nature provided us with trees and forests to help in mitigating some of the effects of this by ensuring they soak up the carbon dioxide that would otherwise be free in the atmosphere and cause harm to our planet and by extension our lives. If we do not take proper care of our trees and forests, our planet might be in grave danger; if it is not already endangered. 
Forests are more than just a collection of trees; they are integrated ecosystems and home to some of the most diverse life on Earth. They are also major players in the carbon and water cycle that make our life possible and they play a critical role in mitigating global warming which occurs when carbon dioxide and other air pollutants collect in the atmosphere and absorb heat from the earth that normally should escape into space.
“Forests may look commonplace and ordinary, but they are responsible for our survival as humans”


Sadly, only about 30% of the land area on our planet today are forests, half of what it used to be, implying there are less forests to combat the ever increasing level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which result from our high demand for energy – the energy we use to power our homes, cars, computers, and smartphones. According to a World Wildlife Fund report, about 48 football fields worth of trees are lost every single minute worldwide. This continuous deforestation of trees is considered one of the highest contributor to global climate change. This in my opinion is a critical emergency and we must begin to think of better and more sustainable ways of doing everything we do as humans.
“By reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, we are effectively curbing our own contribution to climate change”.
Global warming is changing our world and we all are at risk.You and I can reduce our carbon footprint by following a few easy steps and making conserving energy a part of our daily routine. I have listed Seven! I’m sure you can think of more!
o Use renewable Energy. Unlike fossil fuels which are finite, renewable energy sources regenerate naturally. Renewable energy plays an important role in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and provide cleaner sources of energy, helping to negate the effects of certain forms of pollution. When renewable energy sources are used, the demand for fossil fuels is reduced. The most commonly used renewable energy sources are biomass, hydropower, geothermal, wind, and solar.
o Plant a tree. An old Chinese proverb said “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now”. I mean this Literally. A few trees planted today could become a forest in the next few years, helping to cushion the effect of climate change for the coming generations.
 Buy Appliances with the Energy Star Sticker

o Invest in energy-efficient appliances. Whenever you shop for new appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, or dryers, look for products with the Energy Star label; they meet a higher standard for energy efficiency than the minimum federal requirements.
o Drive fuel-efficient vehicles. Buy cars with the highest gas mileage and lowest emissions. You can also reduce your emissions by taking public transportation or carpooling when possible.
o Eat the food you buy. Waste less. Many people probably don’t think much about things like this, but a lot of energy goes into growing, processing, packaging, and shipping food – about 30% of which eventually end up in the landfill. It we waste less food; we are cutting down on our energy consumption.
o Buy better bulbs and turn off the lights when not in use. LED lightbulbs can save up to 80% of energy than conventional bulbs. Use them more. Also, remember to turn off all light bulbs whenever they are not needed. A lot of energy ends up being wasted this way. 
o Speak up. Talk to your friends and family about renewable energy and sustainability. Voice your concerns – via social media or any medium available and at any time there is an opportunity. 
In conclusion, individuals, governments, corporate bodies and civil societies all have a part to play to slow down and eventually halt the upward climb of Carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere. By doing all that has been mentioned and becoming more conscious of the impact of the little things we do, the world we live in will not only be safer for us, it will be for the generations yet unborn.
This post is written in commemoration of the World Earth Day.
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