"We're from the Government and we're here to help."
If you're like a lot of people, when you hear those words you might mutter a cynical "Yeah, right!"
But from time to time, it seems that our leaders really DO come up with strategy that would help us live better lives. In this case, a government policy could – literally – help us breathe more easily.
The policy? Planting more trees to help reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. That's somewhat of an over simplification, but the fact is that the United States Department of Agriculture is willing to pay foresters to plant trees.
As you know, trees are efficient ‘machines' for converting carbon dioxide to oxygen by photosynthesis. But trees also absorb and store CO2 in their trunks and branches. The technical name for this process is terrestrial carbon sequestration. By this process, trees and other plants filter carbon dioxide from the air, break it down so it becomes carbon which is then transferred to the soil.
How effective is this process? The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that, combined with other conservation programs, the proposed reforestation program can remove 12 million metric tons of carbon from the air by 2012.
The reforestation program is a collaborative effort by federal and state governments, landowners and industrial conglomerates that have a vested interest in delaying or preventing legislation regarding the emission of so-called "greenhouses gases."
For one example, Reliant Energy recently purchased 569 acres of public land near Tyler, Texas. Rather than build a power plant, Reliant paid $160,000 for the tract and intend to plant 162,000 tree seedlings there. They estimate that, over the next 70 years, these trees will remove up to 215,000 tons of heat-trapping carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The Department of Energy estimates that trees are currently sequestering approximately 15 percent of the carbon released into the air over the United States. Although that accounts for about 2 billion tons each year, it's obvious that America can't achieve its climate-change goals by reforestation alone. But one thing is for sure: It's a great start!
Can we do our part to help? Not too many of us possess 569 acres or have enough money to plant 160,000 tree seedlings. But that doesn't mean there's nothing we can do. Remember, too, that planting trees doesn't just help the environment, the country and your community. Planting even one or two trees has a real, measurable effect on your own health and well-being... not to mention your pocketbook!
In several previous columns, I've reminded you how trees on your property can reduce your heating and cooling costs and literally lower the ambient temperature and increase the "breathability"of the air surrounding your home. You can click on some direct links to many helpful resources when you go to my web site www.landsteward.org and find the archive of columns under the heading "The Plant Man".
In a column titled "Trees grow big benefits wherever you live", I quote a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as saying, "The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day."
If you need more to convince you that planting trees can put a few extra dollars in your pocket, read the column titled "Smart landscaping can lower your Summer energy bills". I described how carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of a household's energy consumption for heating and cooling.
I am always happy to offer suggestions for trees and shrubs that you can plant as part of your landscape if you e-mail me a few details about your location and any specific challenges that you face. I try to respond personally within a couple of days, and I include some of your questions and my answers in this column.
Trees really CAN make a difference to our quality of life. And this time it seems that the government really IS trying to improve our lives!
The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to steve@landsteward.org and for resources and additional information, including archived columns, visit www.landsteward.org often.
