HOLY SMOKES!
...How to Improve Local Air Quality
The prevalence of wildfire smoke in the air is another disastrous symptom of human-induced climate change. It has become commonplace to see hazy instead of clear blue skies. What can we do?…
Breathing smoke is a real danger to many people, animals, and plants. Full of toxic gases and irritating fine particles, wildfire smoke causes coughing, asthma attacks, lung inflammation, and many more problems. Sure, we should hide indoors with air conditioners and mechanical air filters when there is smoke in the air. But, what else can we do?
We can take a Small Step that really matters! Plant more trees on your property and in your community! How do trees help reduce local smoke pollution? Read on, just a little more — amazingly good news follows…
Trees are highly efficient reducers of smoke pollution by acting as air filters. Leaves absorb gases and capture particulate matter on their surfaces. These pollutants are metabolized by the tree and incorporated into its tissues or deposited underground.
Trees lower air temperature which can reduce the concentration of local air pollutants.
Trees influence weather patterns. And, we all know that trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis.
If you don’t believe that trees can improve local air quality, go outside and take a breath of wildfire-smoky open air. (Please don’t do this if you have asthma or other breathing problems.) Then, go inhale a breath under a stand of healthy green trees. You will be amazed at the difference!
We LOVE trees! Please plant more of the best carbon-reducing “machines” possible!
PLANT MORE TREES!
Please share this article with your friends and family. Together we can make a BIG DIFFERENCE by taking SMALL STEPS THAT MATTER!
The wildfire smoke is really scary especially for those of us with compromised lungs. As a parson who has lived with asthma symptoms most of my life I am always cautious when it comes to air pollution. One thing I learned was how bad the air had been in my commutes. When the pandemic happened and I was forced to stay at home and not drive in traffic to get to and from work it was amazing how much better I got. I actually barely experience asthma these days and I am sure this change was in part because I was able to stay away from the bad air for more than two years and allow my lungs and immune system to improve.
I love that trees are so good at doing things like this. Beyond being beautiful, they provide us with so much.