Today 24th September: EHOAN Delta continued their week-long celebration of the 2024 World Environmental Health Day.
Day 5 is tagged, "Tree Planting for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation.
PLANTING TREES IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Trees form an important part of every community. Right from time, trees have provided humans with two basic essentials of life - food and oxygen, in addition to other benefits. As humans evolved, trees provided additional necessities such as shelter, medicine and tools.
Today, more benefits of trees are being discovered with their value continually increasing as modern lifestyles have expanded their roles in satisfying the needs of humanity. However, slow-growing trees adapt more to local conditions as they age, and in this way, can become more resilient to changes in the climate.
Benefits of Trees
All trees, whether big or small, absorb carbon from the air and produce fresh oxygen and cleaner air that is given off to us and our families. In urban environments, they help with storm water management, and reduce flooding and soil erosion, as their far reaching roots hold soil in place.
Trees absorb and store rainwater, and so reduce the amount of storm water runoff, sediment deposit, pollution of our waterways and erosion, and may reduce the effects of flooding.
Trees control the heat intensity of the greenhouse effect by moderating the effects of the sun, rain and wind. They help to reduce the urban heat island effect through evaporative cooling and reduction in the amount of sunlight that reaches parking lots and buildings, especially in areas with large paved surfaces.
Trees improve our air quality by intercepting and filtering harmful dust that are later washed down by rain to the ground, and mopping up pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide from the air we breathe.
Many species of wildlife depend on trees for habitat. Trees provide food, protection and homes for many birds and mammals. Many animals, including elephants, koalas and giraffes eat leaves for nourishment. Flowers are eaten by monkeys, and nectar is a favourite of birds, bats and many insects.
Well placed trees can reduce cooling costs by shading the south and west sides of our homes in hot season. On the other hand, when deciduous trees are used, they allow the sun to pass through and warm our homes in cold season.
Evergreen trees on the north side of our homes and shrubs around the foundations of our buildings can act as a windbreak to reduce the cooling effects of cold winds, as well as preserve warmth by providing a screen from harsh wind.
A well-maintained landscape makes a real economic impact and has the greatest effect on property value. The value of a well landscaped area with mature healthy trees can be as much as 10% higher than a similar area with little or no landscaping.
When trees shade our homes, they could help reduce our energy costs, and inadvertently make utility companies to have less demand placed on the infrastructure, thus reducing operating costs which can be passed on to the consumers.
The sentimental value of a special tree is simply immeasurable, as it can help record the history of our family as they grow and develop alongside with us and our kids. Many of our childhood memories include the trees in your backyard or old neighbourhood.
Planting of Fruit Trees
One of the main functions of a fruit is to spread the seeds and allow the plant to reproduce. Planting of fruit trees makes fresh fruits available within easy reach, while also contributing to a healthy Ecosystem. There is an undeniable charm to the idea of picking fruits straight from an orchard. Growing and maintaining fruit trees in our communities is of great benefits, especially when kept in the best condition, and reaping the most delicious and juicy fruits.
It is no secret that fresh produce at the grocery store is often expensive. Obviously, the large supply of fresh and delicious local food free of charge is among the biggest payoffs for growing fruit trees around. Community orchards are often planted for everyone to benefit from, making more people to benefit from free food and have better access to nature.
We are often emotionally connected with trees we plant or become personally attached to the ones we see every day. Who will not enjoy picking fresh fruits from trees they planted when such trees start producing fruits, especially when the deep-rooted, long-lived perennial fruit trees are low cost when compared with other food plants.
As we continue to plant more trees, especially fruit trees, we hope to create a healthier environment that will guarantee more natural food supply than can be easily exhausted, and then enhance our food security while also mitigating climate change. Let us regenerate our environment to a greener, healthier and more resilient ecosystem for our sustainable future, as we strive towards the creation of resilient communities with adaptative control for both human wellbeing, as well as animal flourishment.
Today we come together not only to celebrate but to actively contribute to the preservation and enhancement of our environment as we demonstrate the act of tree planting and nurturing by practically planting fruit trees at selected spaces for our benefits and well-being. Planting trees may seem like a small gesture, but collectively, it has a significant impact. Each tree we plant today is symbolic of a renewed hope and an investment in the well-being of our community and future generations.
In closing, our Association appreciates you all for being part of this meaningful endeavour, hoping that today’s tree planting will be a memorable step towards a more sustainable and harmonious communities and the world in general.
Sanitarian Jeffrey Obadaya LHNR,
Delta State Chapter President,
National Publicity Secretary,
Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN)
