The United Nations signing of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change- is not just a big international affair with no meaning for Wednesfield or Wolverhampton.
Its in fact an important matter that should be recognised here in our own localities like Wolverhampton and Wednesfield. Climate Change affects everywhere including our local neighbourhoods as well as in Capital Cities and exotic locations.
Climate change affects all of us. Its just that at times we just do not make the connections.
This year, Earth Day coincides with the signing ceremony for the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which will take place at UN Headquarters in New York. The UN General Assembly, recognizing that Mother Earth is a common expression for the planet earth in a number of countries and regions, which reflects the interdependence that exists among human beings, other living species and the planet we all inhabit, and noting that Earth Day is observed each year in many countries, the UN decided to designate 22 April as International Mother Earth Day in 2009, with resolution A/RES/63/278.
The Earth Day 2016 Theme: Is Trees for the Earth.
Earth Day was first celebrated in the United States in 1970 and is organised by the Earth Day Network. Its mission is to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle to build a healthy, sustainable environment, address climate change, and protect the Earth for future generations. With this year’s theme, looking forward to its 50th anniversary, it sets the goal of planting 7.8 billion trees over the next five years.
Why Trees?
Trees help combat climate change.
They absorb excess and harmful CO2 from our atmosphere. In fact, in a single year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the same amount of CO2 produced by driving the average car 26,000 miles.
Trees help us breathe clean air.
Trees absorb odours and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulphur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.
Trees help us to counteract the loss of species.
By planting the right trees, we can help counteract the loss of species, as well as provide increased habitat connectivity between regional forest patches.
Trees help communities and their Livelihoods.
Trees help communities achieve long-term economic and environmental sustainability and provide food, energy and income.
Planting A Tree for Earth Day 2016!
Councillor Phil Bateman said today – ” I am keen to see Wolverhampton and Wednesfield playing its part in ensuring future generations have clean air, the same birds and animals to see that I do today. As individuals we all have a role to play.
I want to encourage individual family and friends to buy just one tree and plant it in your garden, in a hedge that you own, or even in your parents or a relatives garden on Friday the 22nd April.
We just shouldn’t leave Councils and Governments to plant trees. Its for us as Individuals to play our role for future generations. I have my tree ready for the big day. I will plant it with pride. There are currently trees in local supermarkets, and at a price that most of us can afford (fruit trees costing just £4!).
In our local Park ‘The Ashmore Park’ We have a brilliantly diverse number of trees living and creating the oxygen we all need.
We have some 427 trees growing on The Park, many of the varieties were probably planted to extract water from the park as it is a very wet park.
Its a wet Park because the Park has a clay top to keep the rotting rubbish safe below. Previously the land where the Park is located was a former Coal Mine which was then excavated and the hole was used as a rubbish dump for household waste by Wednesfield and surrounding Councils. They levelled the spoil heaps and then dumped household rubbish on the site for years.
When The Ashmore Park was formed around 50 or 60 years ago, the trees were planted.
Just take a look at the 43 different varieties of trees that are growing now. Many of the varieties are from different parts of the World.
Its these trees that make the case for planting and developing natural resources to help alleviate the problems that we have with us today. The Ashmore Park is somewhat higher than surrounding properties. The planting of these trees on the creation of The Park would have been to make the site drier to combat water seepage into the gardens of local homes, as well as acting as a barrier to reduce noise, and create the right habitat for birds and insects.
So next time you are walking in the Park see how many varieties of trees you can name?
Please tell me if you will join my campaign to plant a tree for Earth Day! Lets make the World proud of Wednesfield! Plant a tree for your child, or your grandchildren. Make them part of the reason for all of us doing what we can to reduce Climate Change for the generations to come.”
