Dear Friends,
As 21st century is the century of globalization and this year, the theme of "One Humanity - Shared Responsibility". May I share with you how we can share our responsibility by partaking in "Earth Day" which initiated by the United Nations since 1970.
The theme for this year's Earth Day is targeting to the next 5 years, and to celebrate the 50th Earth day with 7.8 billion trees "must be planted".
Why are 7.8 billion trees?
Every year and in every minute, we took down 15 billion trees on earth, equivalent to 48 football fields. And the fundamental reason for 7.8 billion trees planted is corresponding to the population of 7.8 billion people in the world in 2020, the target year for planting - A Tree for Every people worldwide.
In doing so, each of us will contribute to three main goals. That is:
· Trees mitigate climate change and pollution. Planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. On the whole, just 96 trees enough to absorb CO2 exhaled by a person in a year; Trees also absorb odors and other gases such as nitrogen oxide (NOx), ammonia (NH3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), as well as trees act as a "a huge refinery plant" for small dust (PM2.5) in the air in order to meet the resolution described in the COP21 Summit on December 2015 in Paris. So, we all know how to end the use of fossil fuels and replace them with 100% renewable energy.
· Trees protect biodiversity. Planting the right position, the tree will protect the extinction of some species, as well as providing shelter for some of the other species and restore ecosystem status quo being ruined by man. For example, in Vietnam, deforestation was and is causing dramatic drought and by consequence, the result of salinization that destroyed crops and lands in Vietnam is causing by the substantial reduction of trees.
· Trees help the community and the protection of human life. Planting trees for the community is to help fulfill the long-term economic goals and environmental sustainability as well as providing food, energy, and income. Trees are also closely related to reducing crime. Greenery lowers crime through several mechanisms. First, it helps people to relax and renew, reducing aggression. Second, green spaces bring people together outdoors, increasing surveillance and discouraging criminals. Buildings with high levels of greenery had 48 percent fewer property crimes and 56 percent fewer violent crimes.
And finally, for each of us, the changes and adjustments to daily life to save energy, use water with concernment, and especially the human intake of food should be limited enough supply for the body's needs only. For doing this, we already"share of responsibility" as citizens of the globe may have broader detrimental impacts on our world at large.
Dr. Truyet Mai
Vietnamese American Science & Technology Society (VAST)
Vietnamese Environment Protection Society (VEPS)
________________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment