“In much of the world,
the loss of the moisture recycling from deforestation
is a more imminent threat than global warming”
I think most photographers are inquisitive by nature. There seems to be something in those of us who like to roam with a camera to have broad interests. That is certainly the case for myself. I often read nature books (not really environmental ones), but really just books about being outside, adventures in some natural habitat. That sort of thing. But I came across this book in the Ceilidh Place book shop in Ullapool a few days ago.
‘A Trillion Trees’ is an interesting study of the benefits of trees. It appears that we are still learning much about what trees actually do for our environment other than my simple understanding that they breathe in carbon dioxide, and expel oxygen. They are also weather makers:
“before the existence of forests, the atmosphere on Earth was baking hot, bone dry, short of oxygen and thick with carbon dioxide. Today, three trillion trees keep us cool and watered, by soaking up the carbon dioxide and by sweating moisture to sustain ‘flying rivers’ that deliver rain across the world. They breath alters atmospheric chemistry too, making clouds and even generating the winds. Trees, in short, create and sustain the life-supporting climate of our planet”
I was very interested to find on pages 34 and 35 that the author states that studies have proven that trees are responsible for ‘flying rivers’ of moisture and that they contribute around 40% of the moisture that turns into rain fall.
More interestingly, the author states that deforestation in one place in the world can be responsible for droughts experienced in another. I learned that coastal cities do not receive all of their rainfall from the sea, and due to ‘flying rivers’ of moisture generated by forests thousands of miles away, a city in China for instance, may receive its rainfall from the forests of Scandinavia.
On page 35 the author states “In much of the world, the loss of the moisture recycling from deforestation is a more imminent threat than global warming”.
We are also learning through studies in Equador, that trees also emit more than just oxygen into our environment. Gasses, that (to my basic understanding) aid the movement of air currents. There’s a lot to learn it seems.
Pearce also states that we do not need to ‘re-wild’, but simply allow the custodians of our forests to do their work.
If you’re a nature lover, like to read about the outdoors, enjoy learning as well, then this is a good book.