A trunk call to help save planet
Trees are fundamental to our existence and could be the key to tackling the climate crisis, says LOUISE MIDGLEY
THE RISE of CO2 emissions is now considered to be the main cause of global warming yet there is an easy and inexpensive way of combating and correcting the damage. Billions of trees planted in large blocks across the world would help remove CO2 from the atmosphere and release it back as oxygen.
It may seem like a simple solution but in many parts of the world the exact opposite is happening.
Hectares of forests are being removed at an alarming rate in favour of land that can be used to grow crops or erect buildings.
Gardeners, farmers, land owners and businesses can help by planting trees but to have a significant impact governments across the world would need to join forces and begin implementing a serious campaign of reforestation.
Trees have had a profound effect on the planet and humankind for millions of years; from the paper we write on and the coffee we drink to the rubber tyres of our cars and vital medicines, their assets are incalculable.
A fascinating book on just how trees have changed the way we live is being released tomorrow.the Story Of Trees by Kevin Hobbs and Davidwest (Laurence King Publishing, RRP hardback £25) takes the reader on a visual journey from some of the earliest known tree species, starting with Ginkgo biloba, fossils of which date back to 270 million years ago.
The book features 100 great tree species from across the world, presented in an approximate chronological order as to humankind’s first significant interaction with each one.
Knowing that trees are the lifeblood of the environment may encourage many gardeners across the globe to plant one and make the world a healthier place.
In an average sized garden, choose a specimen that won’t outgrow its space and pick one that has plenty of seasonal interest; blossom in spring, berries in late summer and a blaze of colour in autumn.