This is the letter for week 27 of a weekly climate strike that went on for 4 years in front of San Francisco City Hall, beginning early March 2019. STRIKE FOR THE PLANETBecause parts of SF can be habitable for the next 100 years,but only if we act now. We have only 66 weeks left in which to act.1 That’s why this week’s topic is TREES. Trees sequester and store carbon for the long-term.2 Pines, firs, cypress, oaks, and black walnut are among the best at carbon sequestration.3 Trees reduce the urban heat island effect.4, 5 Trees save energy.6, 7 Trees improve urban air quality.8 Trees create permeable surfaces, reduce runoff, filter and store water, prevent and reduce flooding, and recharge the aquifer.9, 10 Trees reduce soil erosion.11 Trees reduce sound pollution.12 Trees support biodiversity in urban settings.13 Trees promote environmental justice through improving neighborhood aesthetics, reducing noise, and creating stronger social cohesion and community empowerment in addition to providing cleaner air and access to nature.14 Big old trees perform all these functions better than young trees. Trees are the cheapest and easiest climate crisis activity that must be done right away, due to the time lag involved in growth.

Source: Washington Post July 15, 2023 18:29 UTC