GSP TACKLES CLIMATE CHANGE

This weekend, November 27,28,29, 2010, the Girls Scouts of the Philippines(GSP) will be having its seminar on Climate Change . Why climate change? This covers one of the 8 point challenge that the organization is tackling, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE+GLOBAL WARMING
Maybe its a good way of putting the subject in perspective by discussing more about it this month.

FOREST

I will discuss about the forest. Since our country is forested, most areas are now becoming extinct due to over logging. Illegal logging has been a problem for several years now and its about time that we help replant and make our forests green again. This helps prevent flooding .
Before we can understand the importance of the forest in our lives, we should understand first why and how a tree helps in taking care of our surroundings.
A tree esp the roots, helps in taking in extra water from the soil. Due to the roots of the trees, there is a space under the soil which keeps in the water underneath.
The plants, grasses, flowers, and vegetables get their water need from the soil too, but the tree is the one that creates "housing" for the water beneath the surface.

If there are trees around an area, the first one that catches the rain are the leaves of the trees, and after that the dried leaves underneath it. The dried leaves which are all over serves as protection to prevent the trees from being washed away. It is dangerous not to have trees in mountainous areas. When it rains, the mountains cannot hold water and it is washed downwards towards the valleys and plain, thus creating massive flooding in the area.

One good thing for trees is that it provides lots of oxygen to mankind. The forest is therefore very important to man.
First, it serves as a fortress against severe rains during a typhoon. The trees in the forest stops the area from flooding. It also serves as the water reservoir of streams, rivers and spring because it slowly shares the water during dry season.
The leaves that fall from the trees, provides the forest with fertilizer. The soil cover which are rich in minerals, wash away and goes to the valley and plains where the plantations are.

The forest also provides shelter for animals and birds which eats the insects that ruin the plants and vegetables of the farmers. These includes "alamid", snakes, rats and other animals that eat in the farmer's lands.
The forest also helps to provide fresh air and water, which prevents air pollution and water pollution. The fresh air helps the population to have better health, and cools the air. The forest helps in preventing the heat of the sun to affect the people.

The forest therefore helps in balancing the ecological system.
We have to continue planting trees. How to do this? These are the basic things.

1. Dig at least 6 inches deep and 6 inches wide holes
2. Remove the soil top on the side
3. Choose a good seedling or seed
4. Make sure that the chosen site is plantable
5. If seedling is in a can, or plastic, remove container and make sure the roots are fresh.
6. Place the seedling in the round hole
7. Cover the seedling with the top soil
8. Water the seedling carefully but not too much.
9. Have a fence around it to prevent the plant seedling to be stepped on
10. Take care of your tree by watering it and removing unnecessary grass around it
11. If the tree is taller, you can provide organic fertilizer as its food.

WE can make a difference if we know how. IF we plant today, there will be trees for the next generation, and so on.

Let us love our trees, hug one today.

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