THUMBS UP ZIPRC!
…for your role in restoring ecosystems
Iwould like to thank the Zambia Institution of Public and Communication (ZIPRC) for reaching out to the corporate world in the fight against the effects of climate change.
ZIPRC recently partnered with the Zanaco to plant 270 trees in selected school in Livingstone, Southern province.
This initiative is worth amplifying because of the amass benefits of planting trees. As trees grow, they help stop climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Trees provide many benefits to us, every day. Allow me to echo ZIPRC president Irene Chipili’s sentiments during the tree planning exercise that other organisations should emulate Zanaco by partnering with the Institute to plant more trees across the country or undertake other activities aimed at restoring the ecosystems.
I salute you madam president and the team!
On that note, let us look at some benefits of planting trees.
Trees have countless benefits to everything on the planet from sea animals to countless people working around the world. Planting a tree not only benefits those who live locally around it but to the whole population such as by removing carbon from the atmosphere. People who live near trees experience many benefits such as improvement in their quality of life. Trees have a positive impact on mental health by reducing stress and encouraging outdoor activities. If you are thinking of planting, read below to find out the many benefits trees have on the environment.
CLEAN THE AIR
Trees absorb odors and other harmful gases like ammonia, nitrogen oxides, Sulphur dioxide, and ozone. They also filter out dust and particulates from the air by trapping them in the leaves and barks.
The planting of trees helps cool the air especially in urban areas where it is 9 degrees warmer than places with trees. Because of this, architects and environmentalists came up with solutions to have indoor trees and green roofs. Green roofs provide great cooling and remove heat from the air thus saving the environment. Indoor trees act as natural air conditioners and save money and cooling bills.
REDUCES GREENHOUSE GAS
Carbon dioxide the ‘greenhouse gas’ is notorious for its heattrapping properties. The levels of carbon in the air are a great deal as the planet continues to heat up at an alarming rate. Global warming is a result of excess greenhouse gas caused by destroying rainforests and burning fossil fuels. We hear about the carbon footprint but many do not know it is carbon dioxide.
REDUCE SOIL EROSION
Planting trees has sustainable benefits to the environment too. Rain and wind are the main forces that damage bare soil causing erosion. As rain hits the ground, it has enough power and momentum to penetrate the soil. Trees break down the rain droplets weakening their strength preventing damage to the soil. The roots of trees hold on the ground strongly keeping the soil from washing away because of rain or storms.
PROTECT THE OZONE LAYER
Every year we hear news of global warming as temperatures are on the rise. This happens because people are replacing trees with absorbing buildings and roads, which makes cities warmer. Planting trees reduce ozone layer pollution largely as carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas. It is to be noted that ground-level ozone pollution is different from the ozone layer, which is high in the atmosphere.
PREVENT WATER POLLUTION
With many substances in the atmosphere, stormwater picks up many pollutants, dirt, and bacteria that cause a threat to clean water in many places. It is often worsened by human activity and contains phosphorus and nitrogen pollutants from fertilizers and other waste. As rainwater hits places like roads and roofs, it becomes stormwater and may include oil, heavy metals, pesticides, grease, and other chemicals contaminating our waters.
CONSERVE ENERGY
Trees help in lowering the temperature and keeping a place cool. Planting trees strategically around buildings and homes reduces energy consumption for heating and cooling by 30 percent. This means saving on money used for air conditioning reducing carbon and other pollutants from power plants.
SAVE WATER
Planting trees helps to save water. As trees provide shade, the water from low vegetation will evaporate slowly. As trees develop, their atmospheric moisture increases. As trees provide the cooling you will use less water for lower plants like crops and flowers grown below the trees.
PROVIDE HABITAT
Trees boost biodiversity as they are a home and food source for many creatures. You will see that no matter where trees are planted, other plants and wildlife follow. Trees promote diversity as other plants like fungi and bacteria are found in different parts of the tree. They make it easier for birds to nest there and make the soil more fertile.
PROTECT THE ECOSYSTEM
Planting trees also improve the quality of the soil. The roots pull minerals to the surface giving it more nutrition. They naturally remove carbon and harmful substances from the soil benefiting other plants. As leaves fall, they decompose and add nutrition to the soil.
TREES PROVIDE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
Trees provide a livelihood to many people. Forests have timber, wood, fruits, and raw materials which have economic value. Fruits harvested from trees can be sold and provide income. Trees are renewable, biodegradable sources of energy. Fuelwood, wood, and fibers provide raw materials for buildings, paper, and others. The by-products of wood such as barks become medicine, vitamins, vanilla flavouring, and toothpaste.
So, remember that even individuals can also play a part by making better choices about where they get their energy, how they travel, and what food they eat. But the best way for anyone to help stop climate change is to take collective action. This means pressuring governments and corporations to change their policies and business practices.
Have a blessed weekend!