It is a well-known fact that we Californians are spoiled. And we’re not talking about being spoiled in the superficially, materialistic sense (although some of us fit that stereotype to a tee). No, we are geographically spoiled.
We have vast, sandy beaches that belong on postcards. We have snow-covered mountains. We have forests and vineyards and deserts. The climate here is ideal and the sun is always shining.
Despite this, we take so much for granted. We constantly pollute our precious air, smog fills the sky and the iconic Hollywood sign is barely visible behind all those layers of pollution. It seems as though no one takes into consideration what an unbelievable state we live in, and that in order to keep it this way, we have to change our behavior and become more eco-friendly.
Well, it seems someone’s finally listening. According to an April 8 article in the Long Beach Press-Telegram, the Long Beach City Council this Tuesday may ask the city manager for a “report on increasing the number of planted trees, creating a program to oversee and encourage tree planting.” Not only that, but the city council also wants us to apply for the “Tree City, USA” designation, one of the highest recognitions given by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Who would have thought our city was so ambitious?
According to the article, Long Beach’s Public Works Department has a $70,000 tree planting budget for 2007, which is the largest among city departments that manage trees. Sadly, this budget will only pay for about 700 new trees, which is a good start yet is hardly enough.
According to the article, Arthur Cox, the superintendent of Public Works street maintenance division, thinks the city could use at least 20,000 more trees, which we will not be receiving.
As we all (hopefully) know, trees are a priceless commodity for a city, and not only because they provide much-needed shade on a hot summer day. According to “The Forest Where We Live” Web site, there are countless benefits of urban trees.
For example: Planting just three trees around a home can lower air conditioning bills by up to 50 percent (who would have thought?) The roots of trees hold soil in place, which prevents erosion. Not only that, trees help the environment enormously. During photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide and covert it into oxygen for us to breathe.
According to the Web site, one acre of trees provides enough oxygen for 18 people and absorbs as much carbon dioxide as a car produces in 26,000 miles.
But wait, there’s more. Trees also remove nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide from the air, two major components of acid rain and ozone pollution.
It is blatantly clear: Trees are an incredibly useful source of energy and we should strive to be a city that promotes green living and prides itself on being a “Tree City.” So, we also ask the city manager to consider the city council’s request. Plant more trees, and Long Beach will not only be a more beautiful city, it will be a healthier, one too.
