It seems like there's a large contingent of people who think that a technological solution to the climate and biodiversity crises is the only way to get buy in because it will be easy. That may be true but it won't be effective unless we fundamentally change our relationship with consumption as you explain so wonderfully with regards to trees. A couple wise messages I have received from trees: 1. We will learn to be elders together 2. Never let a good disturbance go to waste.
There is the Trillion Tree Initiative:"Trillion Trees is the united force of BirdLife International, Wildlife Conservation Society and WWF. Together we protect and restore forests all over the world – for the benefit of people, nature and the climate."
The goal is to plant a trillion additional trees by 2050. There are an estimated three trillion trees living now on Earth. How much CO2 the additional trees can remove is dependent on such factors on the kind of tree, its age, location, etc.
Even so, tree planting alone will not solve our climate crisis. It is definitely a good idea in combination with such ideas as reducing our overall consumption of fossil fuels, meat, plastics, etc. Of changing our way of living to accommodate an Earth that says we must change.
One of my fave books- the hidden life of trees by Peter wohllen will give you a deeper respect for a human connection right underneath the ground , root system ….that most of take for granted, btw I use bamboo sheets that you can reuse instead of paper towels, can wash,dry & reuse with dish det & w/ a little bleach then dry - don’t go without them & a roll lasts months! Your writing is so important
I appreciate the message and agree deeply with many foundations of what you wrote, Kollibri, but I have a contention.
Aiming to protect one species without considering balance within ecological systems can lead to overshoot and unnecessary suffering.
Likewise, a moratorium on tree-cutting in places like where I'm at, the 45th parallel in Michigan, would have negative and unintended consequences. There's a reason why Native American lifeways in these parts are deeply intertwined with respectful, sober and careful taking of trees. Working with forests here alleviates the need for extraction and transportation of energy elsewhere, and done well, improves forest vitality.
Agreed though, that deep cultural changes are needed, needs have to be redefined, trees must be respected and known, etc. There's provision in your words for taking trees when the need is clear, which I appreciate much, but I'd contest "With each tree cut we are a little less ourselves, which is to say, a little less human."
Disagreement aside, thanks, as always, for the fodder for thought and life!
My elders don't deserve respect. They have sold me downstream. But trees deserve my hugs none the less. You can hug them for whatever reason you want.
Also stop using paper towels. That is so many of their babies.
It seems like there's a large contingent of people who think that a technological solution to the climate and biodiversity crises is the only way to get buy in because it will be easy. That may be true but it won't be effective unless we fundamentally change our relationship with consumption as you explain so wonderfully with regards to trees. A couple wise messages I have received from trees: 1. We will learn to be elders together 2. Never let a good disturbance go to waste.
Beautiful, powerful, and an absolutely critical message. Thank you 😌
There is the Trillion Tree Initiative:"Trillion Trees is the united force of BirdLife International, Wildlife Conservation Society and WWF. Together we protect and restore forests all over the world – for the benefit of people, nature and the climate."
The goal is to plant a trillion additional trees by 2050. There are an estimated three trillion trees living now on Earth. How much CO2 the additional trees can remove is dependent on such factors on the kind of tree, its age, location, etc.
Even so, tree planting alone will not solve our climate crisis. It is definitely a good idea in combination with such ideas as reducing our overall consumption of fossil fuels, meat, plastics, etc. Of changing our way of living to accommodate an Earth that says we must change.
https://trilliontrees.org/
Thank you for this post! Here are my own musings on 'treehuggers'. 😊🙏🏽
https://open.substack.com/pub/filipvankerckhoven/p/everyone-is-born-as-a-treehugger?r=qlcob&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
One of my fave books- the hidden life of trees by Peter wohllen will give you a deeper respect for a human connection right underneath the ground , root system ….that most of take for granted, btw I use bamboo sheets that you can reuse instead of paper towels, can wash,dry & reuse with dish det & w/ a little bleach then dry - don’t go without them & a roll lasts months! Your writing is so important
I appreciate the message and agree deeply with many foundations of what you wrote, Kollibri, but I have a contention.
Aiming to protect one species without considering balance within ecological systems can lead to overshoot and unnecessary suffering.
Likewise, a moratorium on tree-cutting in places like where I'm at, the 45th parallel in Michigan, would have negative and unintended consequences. There's a reason why Native American lifeways in these parts are deeply intertwined with respectful, sober and careful taking of trees. Working with forests here alleviates the need for extraction and transportation of energy elsewhere, and done well, improves forest vitality.
Agreed though, that deep cultural changes are needed, needs have to be redefined, trees must be respected and known, etc. There's provision in your words for taking trees when the need is clear, which I appreciate much, but I'd contest "With each tree cut we are a little less ourselves, which is to say, a little less human."
Disagreement aside, thanks, as always, for the fodder for thought and life!