To the editor:
During a nature walk on trails behind the Torigian YMCA, fourth and fifth graders found turtles and the smallest snake I’ve ever seen. We came across a fallen log. One boy asked, “Why would anyone want to cut down a tree? I don’t get it. Why would you want to hurt the Earth?”
I found his comment profound and telling. How could we have let things get so bad that our children are burdened with these thoughts? My son mentioned to me a few years ago that when he and his friends couldn’t sleep, they’d watch a nature show … until it got too depressing. It seemed every show eventually involved discussion of the destruction of this or that habitat or extinction of a species or of an ecosystem.
The effects of climate change are more visible and happening at an increasing intensity and frequency. There was a tornado in Middlebury, Vt., last weekend. There are news reports on how we need to prepare for the inevitability of excessive heat, drought, and floods due to climate change. Our children are witness to and victims of our behavior. I took this young boy’s statement as a call to action.
Small changes by many can affect significant results. We can’t all live off the grid or give up our cars but we can buy less, recycle more, plan to reduce food waste and save our trees.
Lynnfield has lost a significant amount of its tree canopy over the last 10-20 years. Trees are critical to stabilizing the climate. Planting trees may help, but we don’t really have the time to spare waiting for trees to mature. Saving mature trees will better sequester significant amounts of carbon, store stormwater, improve air quality, reduce pests like mice, rats, and mosquitoes, and provide habitat to a minimum of 2.3 million species (including bacterias).
Research shows that trees improve our immune system, pine trees can kill viruses, and there is a correlation between tree removal and increases in heart disease. We need our trees. Lynnfield has the truly once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve almost 25 acres of forest.
Purchasing Richardson Green would set a wonderful example and demonstrate that Lynnfield values its residents and their health. Efforts are being made to procure grants to reduce costs, but the worst case cost to each family would be $30 a year — less than three dollars a month.
Giving up one latte a month would help Lynnfield secure green space for years to come. Why would anyone want to cut down a tree indeed?
Patricia Fabbri
Lynnfield