The past few months I’ve been consulting with the climate action nonprofit Bedford2030, helping them market and promote their community forum called The Power of Trees, a day of celebrating the critical role of trees in combatting climate change. This past Saturday, 650 attendees learned about the importance of trees—both for both our health and the health of the planet. Here are my three big takeaways:
- Plants and trees account for 80% of the food we eat and 98% of the air we breath.
- Trees can share water between their roots!
- Because of invasive species, deadly disease, and climate change, at least one in nine US tree species are at risk of extinction.
Check out the website TreePeople which lists trees’ 22 powerful benefits, some of which may surprise you. Once you understand that trees are the basis of life on Earth, and one of our best hopes of combating climate change, you feel compelled to do something. I’ve committed to plant native trees on our property and create healthy ecosystems for native species, especially pollinators.
Before The Power of Trees event, I was connected with two local climate organizations and a regional chapter of Mothers Out Front. but I learned about so many other interesting local organizations that are saving forests, providing compost services, offering beekeeping 101, and zero-waste education. I met earth-focused landscaping companies and architects in my area , and discovered a re-wilding school/camp for kids. At a time when there’s so much dark climate news, connecting with these people brought hope and light.
Aside from what I learned, the most important thing about the day was being surrounded by people who care about climate change and the earth. And I have made great friends, too! My one piece of advice is this: find a Planetarian community. Nestle yourself in a forest of people who care about climate change.
