Trees are unique ecosystems

Trees are the lungs of Earth, maintaining the balance of nature as their seasonal changes create a habitat for plants and wild life. They are unique ecosystems in themselves, nature's way of renewing the air that we breathe: they absorb carbon dioxide and give oxygen, which enables all living beings to breathe. Anyone who has witnessed a loved one dying from respiratory related illnesses is profoundly aware of the need for species that regulate and purify the air we breathe.

The tropical Amazon rainforests is estimated to produce over twenty per cent of the Earth's oxygen. But the world's tropical rainforests are rapidly and often ruthlessly disappearing with almost half of them already destroyed.

Even in Ireland where our climate is ¬mild, moist and with good soil and ample water supply and thus are suited to the rapid growth of trees. Ireland was once completely forested but now ranks well below the European average. I found it sobering to learn that it takes about seventeen trees to manufacture one tonne of paper and some 3 billion trees annually to wipe the bottoms of the world! Surely we can do better that this?

If only we knew the reason for everything.

Adapted from Nellie McLaughlin
Out of Wonder – The evolving Story of the Universe
www.veritas.ie