Trees are a part of our natural global environment, are used to build the very buildings that we live in, and we even write with, eat food from, sit on, and read from products made from them.
Trees improve air quality by producing oxygen. They are also responsible for providing vital oxygen essential for the existence of wildlife and humans. They also store carbon, offsetting harmful byproducts of fossil-fuel burning. Trees, woodland, and other green infrastructure improve air quality by intercepting harmful particulates. Long-term exposure to polluted air can have permanent health effects such as Accelerated aging of the lungs. Loss of lung capacity and decreased lung function. Development of diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly cancer.
Several infectious diseases are associated with deforestation, including yellow fever, dengue, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease. Insect vectors transmit many of the illnesses linked to forest loss (mosquitoes that spread yellow fever, for example), but some may spread by direct contact.
Tree roots grow deep into the soil, holding it firmly in place, and help to prevent soil erosion, especially when growing on hillsides and other steep terrains. They moderate the effects of sun and wind, and clean the air by trapping dust, pollen, and other pollutants.
Trees planted in the right places around buildings, can significantly reduce air-conditioning costs. It means less Freon, an inflammable and odorless chemical emitted from air conditioners. It is considered to have damaging effects on the ozone layer. Planted strategically, trees on a property near homes and other buildings can help to block wind and create shade. It helps to reduce the need for heating in the winter, and the need for cooling in the summer.
Trees provide a natural habitat for wildlife and are fundamental to many ecosystems on Earth. They provide shelter and food for wildlife such as birds, squirrels, and bugs.
Trees make people feel good. A healthy urban forest is one of the more critical factors in the establishment of livable cities by bringing nature into an artificial and human-constructed city environment. Workers are productive when they see trees along their commute routes and from their office windows.
Landscapes that include trees help relax us, lower heart rates, and reduce stress. Physical signs of stress, such as muscle tension and pulse rate, are also measurably reduced when moving into green surroundings. A view of trees and green spaces from hospital windows has been found to increase the healing of patients, decrease our stress. Taking part in nature-based activities helps people who are suffering from mental ill-health and can contribute to a reduction in levels of anxiety and depression.
Children living in areas with good access to green spaces have been shown to spend less time in front of television screens, computers, and smartphones, and to have 11-19 percent lower prevalence of obesity compared with children limited or no access to green spaces.
Thinning of the protective ozone layer coupled with more extreme weather patterns is being linked to the increase in skin melanomas, the most rapidly increasing form of cancer. The dappled shade of trees provides a useful barrier to harmful ultra-violet radiation.
So, what are you waiting for? Go plant a tree today!
Until Next time,
Team Doctor ASKY!