The benefits of trees to our health and environment
It’s commonly believed that the vast majority of our oxygen comes from trees, but that is incorrect. Most of our oxygen that we take in comes from the waters of our oceans. While we do receive oxygen and cleaner air from trees, they provide much more in benefits than is commonly known.
In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Climate Central an independent organization of leading scientists and journalists, say trees also help when it comes to our climate and health.
According to the Rainforest Action Network 3.5 to 7 billion trees are cut down each year, which is a cause for concern for our climate and the impact they have on our environment.
Climate Central reports that trees reduce carbon dioxide in our environment, which in turn creates sugars needed for the tree to survive. The byproduct is oxygen, which is what we breathe on a daily basis. This isn’t the only thing that trees are good for, as they also help lower cooling costs by providing shade and reducing emissions in the atmosphere, along with cleaning our air and water. This is essential for our health, as the pollutants that are absorbed by the trees leaves keep our respiratory system in check.
Data provided by the U.S. Forest Service shows just how beneficial and needed trees are in Columbia and surrounding areas, as nearly 3 million tons of carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere annually. This is turn provides cleaner air for us to breathe on a daily basis. In addition to removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, trees also take in roughly 700 million gallons of water a year. This prevents erosion, flooding and permeable soils.
Last but not least, trees also absorb 94 million pounds of air pollutants a year, preventing thousands from getting sick.
The greater density of trees in areas, the more that is taken in by the trees themselves, which is why you typically see cleaner air in the southeast regions of the country.
Keep this in mind the next time you inhale clean air, and remember just how beneficial trees are for our health and climate.
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