8 Environmental Benefits of Planting Trees That the World Needs

In distant years, we had a mutual relationship with the elements of the world in peace and tranquility. But nowadays, human activity destroys about 18 million acres of forests each year.¹ When the fire of our selfishness and extravagance ignited, we became greedier than ever. We extracted more from the earth's resources and destroyed the trees in whose arms we had grown. Nature provides us with peace, pleasure, food, and medicine. Forests are crucial for the survival and well-being of our planet. In this blog, we will explore the environmental benefits of trees.

1. Trees Improve Air Quality

More than four million people die every year due to outdoor air pollution. Air pollution is one of the major global crises that has endangered the lives of all humans and other creatures on the planet. WHO research shows that almost the entire world's population (99%) breathes air that contains high levels of pollutants.

According to National Geographic research in 2022, air pollution can cause people to suffer from heart diseases, lung cancer, respiratory diseases, damage to the brain, kidneys, lungs, and other organs, and even cause birth defects in babies. According to research by the European Environment Agency published in 2012, a mature tree takes about 22 kg of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releases oxygen in return annually. Every year, the world's forests absorb 16 billion tons of CO2. The health benefits of trees can act as a solution to reduce air pollution.

2. Trees Combat Climate Change

The climate is a long-term pattern in the weather of a region. Climate change is happening due to the human use of fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal. Fossil fuels release greenhouse gases, which increase the temperature of the planet. According to European Commission studies, climate change will cause droughts, wildfires, the unavailability of fresh water, the melting of glaciers, rising sea levels, floods, and pollution of air, water, and soil. Climate change can also cause soil erosion, landslides, desertification, and increased illness and death in humans, animals, and plants. Climate change can force migration and displacement of people and animals, decrease economic productivity, etc.

To prevent climate change, we must avoid increasing the earth’s temperature by reducing greenhouse gases in the environment, which could be done by taking advantage of the environmental benefits of planting trees and, thus, the absorption of more greenhouse gases.  

3. Trees Contribute to the Water Cycle and Provide Us with Cleaner Water

Another advantage of trees is their contribution to the water cycle. They play an essential role in the water cycle by absorbing water through their roots and releasing it through their leaves. The released water droplets form clouds in the sky and cause rain, hail, or snow.    

Trees also filter and immobilize sediment and water contaminants such as fertilizers and pesticides. As such, they effectively reduce water pollution and provide us with cleaner water.³

4. Trees Prevent Noise Pollution

Unwanted or disturbing noise in the environment that affects the health and well-being of humans and other living beings is called noise pollution. According to an article published by National Geographic in 2022, traffic, factories, construction, and even music concerts can cause noise pollution. Noise pollution can cause hearing loss, stress, and high blood pressure and affect the health of humans and creatures on land and at sea.

Another advantage of trees is that they act like a sound barrier by reducing noise through sound attenuation and effectively reducing noise pollution.⁴ Hence, a belt of trees in an urban environment is another advantage of tree plantation that can be an approach to reducing noise pollution.

5. Trees Protect Biodiversity

Another advantage of trees is that they protect biodiversity. Biodiversity is the collection of different life forms that exist in an ecosystem. Biodiversity is more remarkable in areas with more favorable living conditions, including humidity and heat, such as in tropical regions.    

The destruction of forests and trees causes the loss of biodiversity. According to the studies published in the "Nature" journal in December 2010, experiments confirm that increases in disease transmission can occur when the number of species present in a community declines, even if the density of host species stays constant. ⁵ The reason can be a reduction in predation and competition among reservoir hosts.

6. Trees Protect us from Natural Disasters such as Floods, Winds, Storms, Tsunamis and Droughts

One of the countless advantages of trees is the environment. Forests also keep us safe by defending against natural disasters. "Water retention,"  defined as water absorbed or used by forests, is one of the ecosystem services that forests provide. As a result, they prevent floods, reduce the effects of heavy rainfall, and reduce the damage caused by floods. Similarly, forests act as a natural buffer and protect coastal communities from the destructive effects of tsunamis.

On the other hand, by releasing water in the dry season, trees can help reduce the effects of drought and provide clean water during the drought. Studies show that areas covered by coastal forests, such as mangroves, were significantly less damaged by the 2004 tsunami than areas without tree vegetation. Studies also show that 30 trees per 100 square meters may reduce the maximum flow of a tsunami by more than 90%.⁶ Trees and shrubs also provide protection from the wind by slowing its speed.

7. The Shade and Wind-Shielding of Trees will Adjust the Temperature of our Homes

Trees provide shade, and shaded surfaces can be 20 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (11 to 25 degrees Celsius) cooler than unshaded surfaces.⁷ The shade and windshielding of the trees can help you keep homes at a suitable temperature that is not too hot in the summer. We can still enjoy the sun's warmth in the winter after the leaves fall. Planting trees around the house reduces air conditioning costs by lowering the air temperature. As a result, trees save energy and make investing in tree plantations an undeniable profit in several ways! 

8. Trees Prevent Soil Erosion and Landslides

Soil erosion removes the upper layer of the soil, which is the most productive part of the soil for agricultural purposes. Soil erosion decreases the ability of soil to store water and minerals and destroys newly planted crops. Soil erosion leads to landslides, floods, and the loss of fertile land. Trees and other plants hold the soil with their roots and prevent landslides caused by both wind and water. All these effects highlight the prominent environmental benefits of planting trees.

Altogether…

Trees significantly improve the health and well-being of our planet and all its inhabitants. Yet just as essential are trees' tremendous social and economic advantages. In our next blog, to learn more about the benefits of planting trees, we will examine trees' social and economic benefits, such as providing employment and money, raising property values, fostering stronger social ties, and lowering crime rates. Visit our next blog to gain a thorough grasp of the value of trees in life.