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Earth has 3 trillion trees but they're falling at alarming rate

Anomalism

Anomalism

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Earth has 3 trillion trees but they're falling at alarming rate | Reuters

Earth is home to just over 3 trillion trees - the redwoods of California, the olive trees of Tunisia, the cherry trees of Japan, the eucalyptus of Australia and so many more - but they are being lost at an alarming rate because of human activities. Those are the findings of researchers who on Wednesday unveiled the most comprehensive assessment of global tree populations ever conducted, using data including satellite imagery and ground-based tree density estimates from more than 400,000 locations worldwide. The estimate of 3.04 trillion trees - an estimated 422 for every person - is about eight times higher than a previous estimate of 400 billion trees that was based on satellite imagery but less data from the ground. The new findings leave abundant reason for concern - with people at the root of the problem.

The number of trees has fallen by about 46 percent since the start of human civilization and each year there is a gross loss of 15 billion trees and a net loss of 10 billion, said Yale University ecologist Thomas Crowther, who led the study published in the journal Nature. "There are currently fewer trees than at any point since the start of human civilization and this number is still falling at an alarming rate," he said. "If anything, the scale of these numbers just highlights the need to step up our efforts if we are going to begin to repair some of these effects on a global scale."
 
There over two times as many trees in the U.S. Today as opposed to the U.S. A century ago.

AKA we did our part I guess. Idgaf about anyone complaining about trees because we did our part.
 
Luftwaffe said:
There over two times as many trees in the U.S. Today as opposed to the U.S. A century ago.

AKA we did our part I guess. Idgaf about anyone complaining about trees because we did our part.
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Trees put CO2 into the atmosphere, ya know.
 
There'll be three less apple trees in Franklin County, VA this weekend. They're huge, old, and they want to be firewood and furniture now.
 
Anomalism said:
Earth has 3 trillion trees but they're falling at alarming rate | Reuters

Earth is home to just over 3 trillion trees - the redwoods of California, the olive trees of Tunisia, the cherry trees of Japan, the eucalyptus of Australia and so many more - but they are being lost at an alarming rate because of human activities. Those are the findings of researchers who on Wednesday unveiled the most comprehensive assessment of global tree populations ever conducted, using data including satellite imagery and ground-based tree density estimates from more than 400,000 locations worldwide. The estimate of 3.04 trillion trees - an estimated 422 for every person - is about eight times higher than a previous estimate of 400 billion trees that was based on satellite imagery but less data from the ground. The new findings leave abundant reason for concern - with people at the root of the problem.

The number of trees has fallen by about 46 percent since the start of human civilization and each year there is a gross loss of 15 billion trees and a net loss of 10 billion, said Yale University ecologist Thomas Crowther, who led the study published in the journal Nature. "There are currently fewer trees than at any point since the start of human civilization and this number is still falling at an alarming rate," he said. "If anything, the scale of these numbers just highlights the need to step up our efforts if we are going to begin to repair some of these effects on a global scale."
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So - a few decades ago they made estimates based on ground data and now they feel that number was EXCESSIVELY LOW. Now they think it's eight times higher. But they feel confident with their assumption based on (what, exactly) that trees in the PAST were greater in number - and why so?

And of course they want these massive assumptions - however 'their best' it is - to change perceptions and actions that humans take?

In 10 years when there's better technology that 3.04 will climb - I imagine. And so on - so forth.
 
cabse5 said:
Trees put CO2 into the atmosphere, ya know.
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They also allow us to breathe. They, as plants, recycle our exhale and give us inhale.

They put oxygen in the air.
 
Aunt Spiker said:
In 10 years when there's better technology that 3.04 will climb - I imagine. And so on - so forth.
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Unless we radically change the way we do things this is completely false.
 
Perhaps if we plant a few more trees we will not be under so much pressure to use so much more energy in the production of, produce so much more carbon dioxide and sulfur oxide emissions in the production of, and destroy so much of the environment to obtain the materials (like nickel, copper, and other earth metals) for all these Toyota Prius cars.
 
cabse5 said:
Trees put CO2 into the atmosphere, ya know.
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Not true. All living things emit Co2 but plants use more than they release. They also use oxygen but they produce more than they use. Through photosynthesis they break down Co2 molecules and use the carbon to grow their cells. The oxygen is released for us to breath.
 
humbolt said:
There'll be three less apple trees in Franklin County, VA this weekend. They're huge, old, and they want to be firewood and furniture now.
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Greetings, humbolt. :2wave:

Our local electric company has just finished their yearly tree pruning of all the trees that are growing too close to the power lines on everyone's property, and they'll even cut the limbs to fireplace size if you ask them, and the chippings are good for mulching too. We're in good shape for next year's romantic evenings spent drinking wine in front of a roaring fire, and this year's supply has been stacked and drying since last year, bless their hearts, so we're good to go when the inevitable blizzards begin this year! :mrgreen: Recycling at it's finest! :thumbs:
 
Aunt Spiker said:
So - a few decades ago they made estimates based on ground data and now they feel that number was EXCESSIVELY LOW. Now they think it's eight times higher. But they feel confident with their assumption based on (what, exactly) that trees in the PAST were greater in number - and why so?

And of course they want these massive assumptions - however 'their best' it is - to change perceptions and actions that humans take?

In 10 years when there's better technology that 3.04 will climb - I imagine. And so on - so forth.
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Yes, I wondered about that myself. They were off by a factor of 8 in their last estimate but are certain that more trees existed thousands of years ago at the dawn of human civilization. How the hell do they know that? They don't. Its just another study where conclusions seek facts to back them up with the ultimate goal being to beg the question: what actions should government take to remedy a manufactured problem.
 
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polgara said:
Greetings, humbolt. :2wave:

Our local electric company has just finished their yearly tree pruning of all the trees that are growing too close to the power lines on everyone's property, and they'll even cut the limbs to fireplace size if you ask them, and the chippings are good for mulching too. We're in good shape for next year's romantic evenings spent drinking wine in front of a roaring fire, and this year's supply has been stacked and drying since last year, bless their hearts, so we're good to go when the inevitable blizzards begin this year! :mrgreen: Recycling at it's finest! :thumbs:
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They will do that here too, but you have to ask nicely. It's great that you're well stocked. I am too actually, but I like to stay a year ahead of things so the wood is always dry. Apple is exceptionally good firewood and produces a beautiful flame and good aroma when burned in a fireplace. The chips are great for smoking on the grill, too. Like you, I don't believe in wasting anything like that. It was good while alive, and it still has much to offer when harvested.
 
cabse5 said:
Trees put CO2 into the atmosphere, ya know.
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NGT-Do-You-Even-Science.png
 
Anomalism said:
This might be news to a lot of Americans, but there is more to the world than just the United States.
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And that is something that those nations will have to police themselves on.
 
Luftwaffe said:
And that is something that those nations will have to police themselves on.
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Are you honestly unconcerned because the deforestation is not happening in the United States? It's a very serious problem and all of humanity should be concerned.
 
OrphanSlug said:
Perhaps if we plant a few more trees we will not be under so much pressure to use so much more energy in the production of, produce so much more carbon dioxide and sulfur oxide emissions in the production of, and destroy so much of the environment to obtain the materials (like nickel, copper, and other earth metals) for all these Toyota Prius cars.
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Greetings, OrphanSlug. :2wave:

We're supposed to blame the power companies for trying to keep us warm, and connected to the internet, etc, :2mad: and the oil companies for providing liquid hydrocarbons for our cars so we don't all have to buy a horse and buggy to get around! Those Toyota Prius cars still require battery charging!

Personally, I'm more concerned about entering a cooling period in the very near future, due to reduced solar activity that has already begun and which will continue for years - which will affect growing food crops worldwide as has happened often in history, causing mass migrations of people trying to avoid death by starvation - than whether or not people like Al Gore and others can become billionaires by mandating the global warming agenda on the backs of billions of people worldwide! :shock:
 
Anomalism said:
Are you honestly unconcerned because the deforestation is not happening in the United States? It's a very serious problem and all of humanity should be concerned.
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And what do you propose we do to try and influence other nations?
 
Luftwaffe said:
And what do you propose we do to try and influence other nations?
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I'm convinced that a nation as rich and influential as the United States could come up with something to help reduce deforestation around the world if it really wanted to. Even if we couldn't do anything it's still ridiculous to act like it doesn't matter because it's happening in other countries.
 
radioman said:
Bomb them?
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That's the solution to all conservative problems. They tend to not care much about trees or the environment though, so we'll have to think of something else.
 
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