5 reasons to plant trees

Why should we plant trees?

Trees are the lungs of our planet. They absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen. They also provide protection for other plants and animals that live in forests 💚. 

🌱 Facts: 

• Human activity has altered almost 75% of the earth’s surface, squeezing wildlife & nature into a small corner of the planet and increasing risks of zoonotic diseases (ex. COVID-19).
• Between 2010 and 2015, the world lost 3.3 million hectares of forest areas.

Trees can also produce food for many people around the world. However, due to deforestation and climate change, there are always fewer trees left in our planet’s forests 🍃.

🌱 Facts: 

• Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihood, including 70 million indigenous people.
• Of the over 80,000 tree species, less than 1 per cent have been studied for potential use.
• Due to drought and desertification, 12 million hectares of land are lost each year (23 hectares per minute). Within one year, 20 million tons of grain could have been grown.

Trees provide shade, which helps cool the soil and reduce water evaporation. They're also important for wildlife habitats and food sources.

🌱 Facts: 

• Forests are home to more than 80% of all terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects.
• Currently, land degradation has reduced productivity in 23 per cent of the global terrestrial area, and between $235 billion and $577 billion in annual global crop output is at risk as a result of pollinator loss.

The good news is that planting trees can help reverse the effects of climate change and protect biodiversity! Planting more trees will not only help reduce greenhouse gases but also create healthier ecosystems and reverse the biodiversity loss.

So, let's all plant trees! 🫶🌳

Hungry for more? We've also posted an article on the 6 Must-Watch Documentaries on sustainability and environment. Prepare your popcorn!

Photo by Cristina Gottardi

Facts from un.org