Dr. Sidy Diallo explains why trees are vital for our survival. We and many other animals inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide (CO2). Trees absorb CO2 and liberate oxygen.
Stop Deforestation
January 20, 2020
By Dr. Sidy Diallo
We should stop cutting trees: They’re vital for our survival. We and many other animals inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide (CO2). Trees absorb CO2 and liberate oxygen. Sadly, some humans have been notorious for compromising this natural symbiosis for centuries, while significantly increasing their total greenhouse gas emissions, so much so that we’re now heading to the point of no return, according to the United Nations.
There are more or less genuine concerns about the fate of some tropical forests, but Europe and North America were also once covered by forests. My biggest surprise on my first flight from Africa to Europe was indeed when I looked down from the window and saw mostly a geometrically shaped landscape. “Wow, this is progress and modernity,” I thought at the time. Now we know better. Trees are our partners. It’s normal for people cut them for the basics, including food, shelter, and access to education and healthcare. Unfortunately, the culling of trees for comfort is still going on in many parts of the planet.
Delegates from almost 200 countries are indeed meeting yearly to discuss and possibly commit to counter global warming. But the planet they claim they have to “save” is now literally burning and “laughing out loud,” because humans and other animals are those who are in danger and paying a high price. The planet is meanwhile comfortably waiting to see us off.
For instance, regarding the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season, according to Wikipedia, “As of 14 January 2020, fires this season have burnt an estimated 18.6 million hectares (186,000 km2 or 72,000 sq. mi), destroyed over 5,900 buildings and killed at least 34 people. An estimated one billion animals have been killed and some endangered species may be driven to extinction. Air quality has dropped to hazardous levels. As of 2 January 2020, NASA estimated that 306 million tonnes of CO2 was emitted.”
My book Running Barefoot for Human Survival is available on Amazon in paperback and e-book format (French edition: Courir pieds nus pour sauver les humains).
By Dr. Sidy Diallo
We should stop cutting trees: They’re vital for our survival. We and many other animals inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide (CO2). Trees absorb CO2 and liberate oxygen. Sadly, some humans have been notorious for compromising this natural symbiosis for centuries, while significantly increasing their total greenhouse gas emissions, so much so that we’re now heading to the point of no return, according to the United Nations.
There are more or less genuine concerns about the fate of some tropical forests, but Europe and North America were also once covered by forests. My biggest surprise on my first flight from Africa to Europe was indeed when I looked down from the window and saw mostly a geometrically shaped landscape. “Wow, this is progress and modernity,” I thought at the time. Now we know better. Trees are our partners. It’s normal for people cut them for the basics, including food, shelter, and access to education and healthcare. Unfortunately, the culling of trees for comfort is still going on in many parts of the planet.
Delegates from almost 200 countries are indeed meeting yearly to discuss and possibly commit to counter global warming. But the planet they claim they have to “save” is now literally burning and “laughing out loud,” because humans and other animals are those who are in danger and paying a high price. The planet is meanwhile comfortably waiting to see us off.
For instance, regarding the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season, according to Wikipedia, “As of 14 January 2020, fires this season have burnt an estimated 18.6 million hectares (186,000 km2 or 72,000 sq. mi), destroyed over 5,900 buildings and killed at least 34 people. An estimated one billion animals have been killed and some endangered species may be driven to extinction. Air quality has dropped to hazardous levels. As of 2 January 2020, NASA estimated that 306 million tonnes of CO2 was emitted.”
My book Running Barefoot for Human Survival is available on Amazon in paperback and e-book format (French edition: Courir pieds nus pour sauver les humains).
