Planting Trees

  When done well, tree planting is recognized as one of the most engaging, environmentally friendly activities that people can take part in to better the planet. Trees provide a multitude of benefits, both long and short term. As well as being attractive aesthetically, they remove and store carbon from the atmosphere, slow heavy rain and so reduce the risk of flooding, enhance air quality and improve the urban heat island effect by reflecting sunlight and providing shade. In addition, the physical weight of a tree consists of approximately 50% carbon, as such trees have a strong climate change mitigation effect when in high enough numbers. Some of these benefits such as the mitigation of the urban heat island effect and improvements to air quality are localized and will bring the most benefits to the people who live and otherwise spend their time in the local area. Other benefits such as the removal of carbon from the atmosphere will benefit the wider population, not just those w...