Sustainability and trees are inextricable. Trees are crucial in many ways to sustainability because they are needed in the life cycle of all species and sustainability is the study to preserve in long-term the life cycles of all these organisms in an efficient, environmentally friendly, and equal way. There is clearly a strong relationship between the three fundamental aspects of sustainability (economy, environment, and equity), and trees. For something to be considered sustainable, it must be sound both environmentally and economically, as well as equitable.
Trees can have a significant impact economically. Individual trees and shrubs have value and contribute to savings, but it is a well-maintained landscape that makes a real economic impact and has the greatest effect on property value. Direct economic benefits come from savings in energy costs. Cooling costs are reduced in a tree-shaded home, and heating costs are lowered when a tree serves as a windbreak. Wood was the first fuel, and is still used for cooking and heating by about half of the world's population. Trees provide timber for building construction, furniture manufacturing, tools, sporting equipment, and thousands of household items. Also, wood pulp is used to make paper which is use all over the world on a daily basis. In regards to a specific tree, the eastern black walnut was used to make medicine in the 18th and 19th centuries. The black walnut has excellent finishing characteristics with its rich, dark brown heartwood. The douglas fir is in high demand during Christmas time. It is sold on christmas tree lots everywhere, bringing in tons of money for its distributors. The douglas fir can handle a heavy load without bending or buckling, so it is used for building large timber beams, boats, aircrafts, boards, and railroad ties. Trees provide many products, including food for humans and animals, timber, fuel, and medicines that all contribute to the flow of the economy. While it is clear that trees have a strong impact on the economy, they are also equitable.
Social equity in a community is crucial for sustainability. This idea of sustainable development not only refers to social justice and health equity for all humans but also for all species encouraging “the human innovation of goods and services provided by healthy global ecosystems” (CSU Chico 2013). Being one of the hardest branches of sustainability to understand and accomplish, social equity strives to make society more equal and aware of their actions while providing a sustainable future for later generations. This idea explores the human adaption to nature and promotes the health and respect of all organisms. We have much needed improvement in this field because of the substantial loss of forests due to the timber and lumber industries. These depleted forests include the great deciduous forests of China. Specifically, the katsura tree grows in this forest and now in “certain provenances are endangered” and China is taking “no present protective measures” to reverse this (FAO Forestry Department 1986). The idea of social equity is the respect of all species, plant or animal, and through the spread of awareness and the encouragement of treating all species equal. This is detrimental to the progression of sustainable development and an application to a sustainable future.
Another important factor of sustainability is the environmental approach. A healthy environment is crucial to humans and other species. Leaning towards the ultimate goal of being “environmentally friendly” can include a wide range of activities and practices where we can participate, that include but aren’t limited to the conservation of water, recycling and reducing waste, and becoming energy efficient. A major factor in creating a healthy environment is being able to coexist, as humans, with other species such as trees and natural vegetation. Many businesses and industries are participating in the destruction of nature for their own benefits with no regard for the ensuing consequences Many plants cannot survive the harsh conditions of air pollution and are being ripped away for urban landscapes, large factories, and entertainment purposes. Human satisfaction is damaging to our ecosystem. In order to create a healthy environment, we need to both consider the ideals of sustainability and strive to coexist with nature.
Pushing for excellence with regard to sustainability can have a positive impact on society, the economy, and the environment. We are at a transitional point in human history. Understanding the relationship between trees and sustainability can help us move toward a more productive future for both humanity and nature.
Trees can have a significant impact economically. Individual trees and shrubs have value and contribute to savings, but it is a well-maintained landscape that makes a real economic impact and has the greatest effect on property value. Direct economic benefits come from savings in energy costs. Cooling costs are reduced in a tree-shaded home, and heating costs are lowered when a tree serves as a windbreak. Wood was the first fuel, and is still used for cooking and heating by about half of the world's population. Trees provide timber for building construction, furniture manufacturing, tools, sporting equipment, and thousands of household items. Also, wood pulp is used to make paper which is use all over the world on a daily basis. In regards to a specific tree, the eastern black walnut was used to make medicine in the 18th and 19th centuries. The black walnut has excellent finishing characteristics with its rich, dark brown heartwood. The douglas fir is in high demand during Christmas time. It is sold on christmas tree lots everywhere, bringing in tons of money for its distributors. The douglas fir can handle a heavy load without bending or buckling, so it is used for building large timber beams, boats, aircrafts, boards, and railroad ties. Trees provide many products, including food for humans and animals, timber, fuel, and medicines that all contribute to the flow of the economy. While it is clear that trees have a strong impact on the economy, they are also equitable.
Social equity in a community is crucial for sustainability. This idea of sustainable development not only refers to social justice and health equity for all humans but also for all species encouraging “the human innovation of goods and services provided by healthy global ecosystems” (CSU Chico 2013). Being one of the hardest branches of sustainability to understand and accomplish, social equity strives to make society more equal and aware of their actions while providing a sustainable future for later generations. This idea explores the human adaption to nature and promotes the health and respect of all organisms. We have much needed improvement in this field because of the substantial loss of forests due to the timber and lumber industries. These depleted forests include the great deciduous forests of China. Specifically, the katsura tree grows in this forest and now in “certain provenances are endangered” and China is taking “no present protective measures” to reverse this (FAO Forestry Department 1986). The idea of social equity is the respect of all species, plant or animal, and through the spread of awareness and the encouragement of treating all species equal. This is detrimental to the progression of sustainable development and an application to a sustainable future.
Another important factor of sustainability is the environmental approach. A healthy environment is crucial to humans and other species. Leaning towards the ultimate goal of being “environmentally friendly” can include a wide range of activities and practices where we can participate, that include but aren’t limited to the conservation of water, recycling and reducing waste, and becoming energy efficient. A major factor in creating a healthy environment is being able to coexist, as humans, with other species such as trees and natural vegetation. Many businesses and industries are participating in the destruction of nature for their own benefits with no regard for the ensuing consequences Many plants cannot survive the harsh conditions of air pollution and are being ripped away for urban landscapes, large factories, and entertainment purposes. Human satisfaction is damaging to our ecosystem. In order to create a healthy environment, we need to both consider the ideals of sustainability and strive to coexist with nature.
Pushing for excellence with regard to sustainability can have a positive impact on society, the economy, and the environment. We are at a transitional point in human history. Understanding the relationship between trees and sustainability can help us move toward a more productive future for both humanity and nature.
References:
CSU Chico. (2013). Sustainability Studies. Pathways of General Education.
FAO Forestry Department. (1986). Data Book on Endangered Tree and Shrubs Species and Provenances. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
CSU Chico. (2013). Sustainability Studies. Pathways of General Education.
FAO Forestry Department. (1986). Data Book on Endangered Tree and Shrubs Species and Provenances. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.