Photo: Ottawa Sun
By: DeDrick Allen Trees have been a great source of material to the human population for many years. It’s been burned as firewood, turned into paper, used for furniture and even cabins, all while being one of our main sources of oxygen. Forests have been destroyed not only because of natural causes, but also in the process of making these materials for human needs. A study published a year ago by the US Forest Service found that we have lost 36 million trees annually over a period of five years. That was from 2009 to 2014. If this continues to happen, cities will become warmer and there will be a great rise in pollution. Over 80% of the US population lives in urban areas, and most Americans live in forested regions along the East and West coasts. In my opinion every time we cut down trees to build a road or a building not only does it affect the site, it affects the region in which those trees have been taken from. Tree loss plays a major role in air pollution and energy conservation. Trees provide heat reduction, they reduce air pollution, improve water quality, and protection from UV radiation. With everything going on with the world such as global warming and the deterioration of our ozone, we can’t afford to lose any more trees. Studies have found connections between exposure to nature and better mental and physical health. Doctors have prescribed walks in nature for children because of these studies. Exposure to nature can lower blood pressure and stress hormones. Areas with more green lands also have a lower death rate than urban areas. Instead of destroying trees, I believe we should plant and grow more to improve the US. If not, cities will become unhealthy for inhabitants. With more trees, summer heat will be decreased by 10 degrees Fahrenheit. We can control how many trees we destroy and plant and honestly it really is more beneficial for the US economy if we were to grow more trees instead of destroying them for parking structures and larger homes or buildings.
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