Trees are more important than some people may think. Imagine if all the trees were cut down. We would not be able to live. Trees provide oxygen and also gather the carbon dioxide we breathe out. They keep nature in balance and help the soil stay in place. Trees are homes and food for animals (even dead trees). It would be sad if the animals died because they lost their home or food. 10 million trees are cut down each day and 3-6 billion trees are cut each year. We need to stop cutting down trees now!
In the rainforest people are cutting trees down for money, furniture and paper. They burn the forest to clear the earth to raise animals. They also cut trees so they can mine for gold and drill for oil. One example of deforestation is in Madagascar. There is 80% less trees than Madagascar had 25 years ago. Only 7% of Madagascar’s trees are left standing.
All around the world trees are being cut down by loggers. They are cutting down the trees to make room for malls, roads, parking lots and lumber for houses.Why do we need more houses? Why do we need more parking lots? Don’t we have enough? Trees reduce noise pollution, improve the water quality and prevent floods in coastal areas. As you can see, trees do an important job.
There are many ways to save a tree. One way is to use less paper. If you save one ton of paper you are saving 17 trees. Using your computer more for writing could save trees. Reusing an envelope you get in the mail could save trees. If you reuse gift bags instead of using wrapping paper you have saved a tree. Use your newspapers for wrapping paper (or better yet, read the newspaper online!)
As you can see, trees are important. We urge you to help save trees!
Jeannine, Jaden, Lindsey, Sarah, Ella, Meghan, Ryan and Austin
Third Graders in Colchester, Vermont
