Joan Hannah Labita

HUME 1 X2

2015 10018

December 4, 2015

DO SOMETHING

Trees are very important things to us humans because without them, we could die. They
do a lot of things that benefit us. They provide oxygen (O2), lessen carbon dioxide (CO2) in the
atmosphere, they fight climate change, they clean water and air, they provide foods, papers,
furniture etc., and many other more things they do for us. However, what do we humans do for
them? Yes, we help in providing CO2 to them but what else more? Are we the ones who provide
them food? Do we clean the water and air they absorb? No. Rather, we destroy them carelessly
for our needs without even enough what might happen or even giving thanks to them. That is
why people with care like me, would like to do something for them, for our mother earth and for
the next generation also.
According to google, a tree is a perennial plant that has a single stem or trunk growing to
a considerable height and bearing lateral branches at some distance from the ground. It uses
photosynthesis to make their own food. It absorbs carbon dioxide, transform it to its food and
releases O2. There are very many types of trees on this planet, having 100000 types
approximately (realtrees4kids.com).
Most of the things that we have in this world came mostly from trees. Papers, tables,
chairs, food, and even our clothes came from them. I cant imagine how many trees are out
there supplying the needs for a billion number of people living on this planet. Of course trees on
this planet are still many but can they still provide the needs of a billion number of people?
There are thousands of trees being cut down every second for our needs but not all of
them were being replaced. And that is why, we have to do something. We have to have a care
about what is happening around us and do some actions. As far as I know, everyone in this
planet is aware of global warming right? Are we just going to ignore that very problem? Of
course we should not.
There are already many calamities happening to us and hopefully all of us want to avoid
large amount of losses. For me, the very first thing to do is actually have a love for our mother
earth. There are many ways to show our love for our mother earth. Planting trees is one of the
ways. Because by planting trees, we could help reduce the greenhouse gases that was being
told that it was the main reason of global warming. Also, because there are just many benefits
we could get from planting trees since just like what I said earlier that is why I chose it as an
activity to do in exchange for not attending the HECOCAMP.
But before I go to the story of my tree planting, here are some more of the benefits we
could get from trees (planting) (according to treepeople.org): they could give us medicine and
protection from soil erosion as well as water pollution, they provide shade and shelter not only
for us humans but also for animals, they could conserve and save more water and energy, and
other social, economic and communal benefits.

Yesterday, I happily planted two trees at the foot of Mt. Makiling. It may not went just like
what I planned to have it planted on the peak two of Mt. Makiling with friends but it is actually
okay because I was with my mother, my little sister and our pet susy when I planted those two
trees. We were told by the seller of the trees that it was called Mint tree or Salamog or Sa
Lamok. Sorry I was not sure what was it in Filipino but it was a good repellant against
mosquitos. I have searched it up on the net and it was really not easy to see what its real
scientific name was. Hoping that I got the right one, it was called Vitex negundo L. according to
this site http://www.djibnet.com/photo/chasteberry/neaacci-malayalam-2464390837.html.
I may not know how fun was the HECOCAMP since I did not attend it. I do not know how
happy they are when they were all planting trees or play the amazing race or even the glad they
felt when we won the contest. But the glad that I felt yesterday when I planted the trees was
actually a good one too. It made me so happy that by planting trees, I actually help our mother
earth. And the thought that it was actually my first tree planting experience, makes me want to
do it again sometime in the near future. (with friends hopefully)
.

Image of the two trees I planted yesterday

The picture my mother

took after planting the two trees.
:)