“When is the best time to plant a tree?”
The answer: “Twenty years ago.
The second-best time? Today.”
Old Proverb
Earth Day 2012 Source: NASA
World Earth Day is organised by the environmental charity WWF in an attempt to draw greater awareness for climate change and for more action to combat it.
To celebrate World Earth Day, hundreds of thousands of people turned off their lights for an hour on Saturday evening between 8.30-9.30pm. 4,000 cities in 134 countries participated this year.
The Shetlands have been heralded for having the largest percentage of its population involved in the U.K. and for being the most northerly participants in the entire challenge.
Edinburgh Castle, the Falkirk Wheel, the Wallace Monument and the Scottish Parliament all took place in the event.
WWF director, Dr. Richard Dixon praised the Scottish effort:
“The people of Scotland have shown once again that they truly appreciate the huge threat climate change poses to people and wildlife both here and globally.”
Source: Scotland Institute For Study Abroad – Butler University
Wondering how each of us can reduce our environmental footprint?
Here are some tips as featured on the United States Go Green postage stamp issues:
USA Go Green Postage Stamps
- Buy local produce
- Reuse bag
- Fix water leaks
- Share rides
- Turn off lights not in use
- Choose to walk
- Compost
- Let Nature Do The Work for drying clothes
- Recyle more
- Ride a bike
- Plant trees
- Insulate the home
- Use public transportation
- Use efficient light bulbs
- Adjust the thermostatMaintain tire pressure
Google Doodle - Earth Day - 2012 - Green
Recently in the New York Times Opinion Pages, was featured a very interesting article by Jim Robbins, on the subject of the importance of trees for our planet:
Why Trees Matter
By JIM ROBBINSPublished: April 11, 2012
The Man Who Planted Trees by Jim Robbins | Spiegel & Grau (April 17, 2012)
TREES are on the front lines of our changing climate. And when the oldest trees in the world suddenly start dying, it’s time to pay attention.
North America’s ancient alpine bristlecone forests are falling victim to a voracious beetle and an Asian fungus. In Texas, a prolonged drought killed more than five million urban shade trees last year and an additional half-billion trees in parks and forests. In the Amazon, two severe droughts have killed billions more.
The common factor has been hotter, drier weather.
We have underestimated the importance of trees. They are not merely pleasant sources of shade but a potentially major answer to some of our most pressing environmental problems. We take them for granted, but they are a near miracle. In a bit of natural alchemy called photosynthesis, for example, trees turn one of the seemingly most insubstantial things of all — sunlight — into food for insects, wildlife and people, and use it to create shade, beauty and wood for fuel, furniture and homes.
For all of that, the unbroken forest that once covered much of the continent is now shot through with holes.
Humans have cut down the biggest and best trees and left the runts behind.
Birnam's old oak tree in Perthshire, Scotland | Photo : Scotiana 2007
When contemplating the beautiful elegance and the strength of more than mature trees, I get goose bumps…
It is our responsability to care for our planet.
Talk soon,
Janice
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