Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) had organized a Tree Planting event at Zayed Scout Camp, Abudhabi on the special day of 2012 – That is 12-12-12. I attended this event along with many others. EEG had given the reward of planting one or more trees when members contributed certain quantities of recyclable materials collected from the neighborhood community. Thus many of us started early by 6 AM today from Sharjah and Dubai to the location fixed for the event. The transportation was arranged in CO2 neutral buses hired for the occasion. It was a very happy event when volunteers contributed to the greening of the emirates.

Environmental Benefits of Planting Trees

Planting trees is one of the best things you can do for the local environment and for the planet. Global warming is caused by too much of greenhouse gases, created by burning fossil fuels and destroying tropical rainforests. Heat from the sun when reflected back from the earth is trapped in this thick layer of gases, causing global temperatures to rise. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major greenhouse gas. Trees breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. Additionally, they provide shelter for birds and other wildlife.

But there are more interesting facts about trees, which I wish to highlight here.

1.    Mature trees can absorb roughly 48 pounds of CO2 a year. The tree in turn releases enough oxygen to sustain two human beings.

2.    In one year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the amount of CO2 produced when you drive your car 26,000 miles.

3.    The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day. —U.S. Department of Agriculture

4.    If you plant a tree today on the west side of your home, in 5 years your energy bills should be 3% less. In 15 years the savings will be nearly 12%.? —Dr. E. Greg McPherson, Center for Urban Forest Research

5.    One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people.? —U.S. Department of Agriculture

6.    Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and can save 20󈞞 percent in energy used for heating.? —USDA Forest Service

7.    Trees just do not provide cooling during winter, trees can act as wind barriers for your home and will help you save on heating costs. The Journal of Horticulture claims that saving on heating costs can reach as much as 25 percent!

8.    The planting of trees means improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. This allows more recharging of the ground water supply. Wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams.? —USDA Forest Service

9.    The USDA reports that 100 mature trees can reduce runoff caused by rainfall by up to 100,000 gallons! This also prevents harmful land pollutants contained in the soil from getting into our waterways. Trees use nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium- byproducts of urban living-which can pollute streams. For every 5% of tree cover added to a community, storm water runoff is reduced by approximately 2%.

10.  In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension.? —Dr. Roger S. Ulrich Texas A&M University

11.  A U.S. Department of Energy study reports that trees reduce noise pollution by acting as a buffer and absorbing 50% of urban noise.  This is especially important for people who live near highway traffic. Nicely planted trees reduced noise pollution by 10 decibels.

12.  Trees also help to reduce ozone levels in urban areas. In New York City, a 10 percent increase in urban canopy resulted in reducing peak ozone levels by around 4 parts per billion.

13.  One urban tree does the equivalent environmental work of 15 forest trees.

14.  Trees reduce UV-B exposure by about 50 percent, thus providing protection to children on school campuses and playgrounds - where children spend hours outdoors.

15.  Studies have shown that patients with views of trees out their windows heal faster and with less complications. Children with ADHD show fewer symptoms when they have access to nature. Exposure to trees and nature aids concentration by reducing mental fatigue.

16.   A total of 300 trees can counter balance the amount of pollution one person produces in a lifetime. Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark. Studies have shown that an increase in tree-lined streets could lower Asthma number by almost 25%.