I live in Kenmare, Krugersdorp where bountiful trees used to be everywhere. However, over the past few months there has been an increase in tree-felling on private and public open spaces.
A worrying trend at this time, is that persons are cutting down trees in the cliff areas, claiming their concern is all the foreign trees growing there. So now all of them are being cut down, but the problem is that no indigenous trees are being planted.
Even though they are foreign trees, they are all we have now. They are not only our current source of oxygen, but they also absorb carbon dioxide.
Everyone seems to forget that we are in fact in a climate crisis and need as many trees as possible. Unless these people – whether they are doing it in their private capacity or have been contracted by the municipality – have committed to planting trees, they should not be allowed to continue the disastrous tree-felling!
The reasons people are cutting down big indigenous trees on their properties – yes they are cutting down indigenous trees – are trivial, such as they give too much shade, or other irrelevant reasons.
Trees have the amazing capacity to produce oxygen, absorb harmful emissions but also if there are enough of them, they bring rain.
What is everyone thinking? Clearly not about the future, more accurately not about their children’s future.
What happens when there are not enough trees and forests? Less oxygen, more carbon dioxide and less rain.
Everyone has the capacity to do something about this; there is still a little bit of time to rectify our mistakes.
It’s simple, plant a tree and preserve the trees we have.
