Position Paper

Proposition: Planting more trees prevents destructive effects on the environment and
to every organism.

The gradual deterioration of the environment has always been an issue that is
discussed over the years. This is usually caused by manmade activities that constantly
threaten the biodiversity that could lead to the extinction of different species of
organisms. These might also cause diseases in humans as well as disruptions to the
natural practices of other organisms since the rate of pollution in the environment
increases from time to time. Aside from pollution, one major problem that could cause
disruption in biodiversity is deforestation. This activity subject trees to cutting which
increases the risk of climate change, alteration in the vegetation process, flood,
desertification, soil erosion, and increase of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.
Trees serve as the heart of the environment because of their versatility and variety of
uses that benefit every organism. They are also being referred as the lungs of the earth
because of their capability to cleanse the air in the atmosphere and provide clean air for
everybody. If people continue to cut them, then the deterioration of the earth and
gradual loss of biodiversity will be at a fast pace. In order to protect the environment as
well as maintain the diversity of different organisms, it is vital that we should plant more
trees and refrain from cutting them. It would always be a great help in maintaining the
well-being of the environment if we plant more of them. These step does not just protect
the current generations but also, allows the future ones to benefit from the abundance
of resources that the environment provides.

Trees have a variety of functions and uses which is vital for the survival of
organisms and for protecting the environment from different hazards. They provide
oxygen which is very important for the well-being of humans and other organisms as
they play a huge role in the process of respiration and the circulation of blood. Oxygen
is an important element that organisms consume in order to breathe and acquire
nutrients that are needed by the body to function well. It is the main component of gas
exchange that takes place in the lungs where oxygen will be delivered by the
bloodstream to different parts of our body. As trees give off oxygen, they also absorb
carbon dioxide which helps in preventing global warming and climate change to take
place. Carbon gasses such as carbon monoxide are the main culprits why air pollution
occurs. These gasses primarily came from the burning of fossil fuels and plastics,
garbage accumulation, emission of carbon gasses by cars and factories, and even
massive deforestation. If these certain activities that lead to air pollution are not
prevented, diseases such as respiratory ailments are likely to occur. Accumulation of
carbon gasses in the atmosphere could also lead to disturbances in the normal
weathering system of the earth. These sudden changes might lead to an unpredictable
climate that disrupts the natural process and systems in the environment. It could lead
to a major loss in terms of properties and even lives.

Aside from these, another consequence of losing all of the trees on Earth is the
disruption of biodiversity. Based on what we have learned, biodiversity is defined as the
variety of life in a certain ecosystem. This maintains the balance of the environment as
organisms have a role to fulfill each other's survival. One important component of this
system are the trees which are primary resources that provide organisms with shelter,
clothing, food, and other essential needs. Most organism depends on them, especially
as an aid for breathing and shelter. They provide shade and protection from harsh
conditions that might cause profound effects. It also became their source of food and
energy in order to function in their everyday life as some of the trees bear fruits that
anyone could consume. However, the sudden change in the earth's climate could also
affect the usual practices of organisms which later on could lead to their death. Without
trees, the natural processes and systems that take place among organisms will be
disrupted which might threaten their survival and worse could lead to extinction. If
extinction occurs to a certain species, then it will also affect the process of survival of
other organisms that depends on them. Trees initiate a chain reaction upon their loss
that does not affect only one organism but it permanently disrupts the equilibrium of the
environment so it is very important to refrain from activities that could lead to the loss of
trees on the earth.

The consequences that result from the loss of trees are very alarming. From
what we have observed nowadays, the condition of our environment is getting worse
and worse every day since a lot of natural phenomena are occurring in unpredictable
ways. We witness massive devastations and tragic loss that greatly affects people as
well as other organisms. As stewards of the environment, we must begin planting trees
again for the welfare of our planet and other organisms that are living on it. Trees are
the respiratory and circulatory systems of the environment which support all life forms
for survival. This will reduce the possibility of these devastating consequences to occur.
There is no time for us to point out who is responsible instead we should start the
change first on ourselves to encourage others. Do we still need to witness another
calamity to take place? Do we have to wait until everything will come to an end because
of our own negligence? Well, the fate of our planet relies on us and it only depends if we
will use it or not. The change for a new start is already in the palms of our hands and we
should use this to make the world a better place to live for everybody.

References:

 Griscom, B. W., et al. (2017). Natural climate solutions. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
Retrieved from:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2022.756115/full#B42.
 Hantson, S., Pugh, T. A. M., & Arneth, A. (2017). Global isoprene and
monoterpene emissions under changing climate, vegetation, CO2 and land use.
Atmos. Environ. 155, 35–45. Retrieved from: https://doi:
10.1016/j.atmosenv.2017.02.01
 Derouin, S. (2022) Deforestation: Facts, causes, and effects. Live Science
Newsletter. Retrieved from: https://www.livescience.com/27692-
deforestation.html