The Survival of Humans in the World of Climate Change by Akinfolahan Oluwasegun Peter

There has been an upsurge in the constant release of harmful gases into our environment, mainly from fossil fuels and other human activities. The United Nations (UN) reported that global fossil fuel emissions rose to 62% between 1990 and 2019. These have given rise to climate change (otherwise known as ‘global warming’). Without doubt, climate change is one of the major challenges facing humanity today. It has led to immense modifications of normal weather forms, threatening the survival of earth’s biodiversity, severe droughts, storms, heat waves, rising sea levels, warmer planet, dwindling glaciers, flooding and serious threat to economic stability. 

Nevertheless, there are articulate and practical pathways which humans can employ to survive in the world of climate change and mitigate its effects: TREE PLANTING.

The loss of trees and forests is one of the main causes of climate change. Deforestation causes over 10% of worldwide emissions. Let us discuss some benefits of trees to human survival.

Reduction of Harmful Gases in the Atmosphere:

In this era of climate change, the importance of trees cannot be overemphasized enough. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful gases and give out oxygen during the photosynthesis process vital for their growth and survival. When trees stop growing, as a result of cutting down, dying or burning, they don’t have the ability to capture carbon dioxide and other gases anymore. Worse still, they release the gases that have been previously stored in them into the atmosphere. The release of harmful gases from fossil fuels and other equipment that humans use have contributed mainly to climate change; conversely, trees have been rightly named ‘carbon sinks’. 

Medicine:

The medicinal benefits that trees provide cannot be discarded – it plays vital role to human survival. Trees provide medicine from its wood, root, barks, leaves, fruits, flowers and seeds. All parts of trees can be used in the prevention and treatment of diseases. Thus, apart from the provision of food, fuel, timber and fibers, trees meet humans’ medicinal needs, and provide economic benefits in the long run. 

Supports Biodiversity:

There are obvious links between trees, forests and biodiversity; still, forests have been disappearing at unnerving rates. According to World Wildlife Fund, trees, which make up forests, contribute 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. When trees are cut down or lost, the biodiversity and vast collections of plants and animals, some which are even yet to be discovered, are threatened or endangered. These lead to the disruption of our ecosystem and even endanger human life. Trees provide wildlife with resting place and humans with healthier, balanced and clean ecosystem. 

Soil and Water Conservation:

Trees act as water basins as they reduce erosion, flooding, traps and prevent wastes from entering into our water bodies. Furthermore, trees also give shades to cool the soil and improve soil cover, especially from the ultra violet (UV) rays of the sun. It also boasts the soil’s ability to conserve water, managing and maintaining the nutrients in the soil. 

Cool Climate:

Trees provide shades and cool our climate through transpiration processes. They reduce soil and air temperature through their evaporative cooling processes too. Trees essentially serve as ‘natural air filters’ and they have the ability to reduce humans artificial energy consumption in the long run. 

Conclusively, what will happen if all trees on earth disappear? How will humans survive? Undoubtedly, trees have many uses; for our survival and our ecosystem too. 

Do you know the greenness and freshness of trees can also act as stress relief for us and boast our mood? 

We should try our best to plant and preserve trees for the betterment of ourselves and future generations. You don’t need to own a large expanse of land before you start planting. It’s high time we build up one of our best allies in tackling climate change. Planting trees and keeping them standing remain one of the most strategic ways of mitigating climate change. 

A popular Chinese proverb states thus: ‘The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best time is now’. 

Written by Akinfolahan Oluwasegun Peter, who is a final year student of Forestry and Wood Technology at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. He is a person full of passion for service to God and humanity. A zealous tree planter and Dendrophile, he uses every opportunity to plant trees, encourage people to love and plant trees and also volunteer for International Forestry Student Association IFSA FUTA LC as Treasurer, President and former Regional Representative of IFSA Northern Africa. 🌍

ak******************@fu**.ng.
ak********************@gm***.com