We Need More Trees!
Everybody knows that trees “breathe” in carbon dioxide, and release oxygen in a process known as photosynthesis. And for a long time it has been known that deforestation has a negative impact on the biodiversity of this planet. But it might not be known that trees are a major factor in the fight against climate change. Protecting and restoring forests would mitigate up to 18% of the emissions needed to stop runaway climate change.
In a biology classroom, this lesson is critical to the development of student understanding of how humans effect climate change. Students can research how trees have such a strong effect on the carbon levels in the atmosphere. This article is not from an educational or peer reviewed journal, so students can study the text structures of the article itself and analyze its validity. More questions for research could be: Does cutting down forests release more carbon into the atmosphere? How does a forests act as an effective carbon sinkhole? What are the economic effects of ending deforestation, and restoring forests? Students can take this article and run in a multitude of different directions.
Incorporated Standard: (HS-LS2–5) Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
