Every living thing on Earth is made up of four basic elements - carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Those four elements make up about 96% of your body, and most of a tree's roots, trunk, branches, and leaves. While we humans get most of our carbon through eating, trees breathe it in the way that we breathe in oxygen. When a tree breathes, it inhales carbon dioxide and exhales oxygen - the exact opposite of humans. As a tree matures, it can consume 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year (among other greenhouse gases like ozone), and releases enough oxygen for you to breathe for two years!

   Removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen in its stead also helps limit global warming, providing for a cleaner, healthier climate. So, by planting trees, you can help clean the air and fight climate change!   

   If you're looking to reduce your carbon footprint and give back to the planet, trees are one of the most effective and personally beneficial ways to do it. Let’s build a nicer home and a better environment. 
   Join the Eco Rotary Club of Kaka’ako Eco and Hawaii Legacy Forest in our reforestation efforts. We plant native/endemic Hawaii trees. To plant a tree with us and support our goal, go to the following link https://legacyforest.org/rotary

Article facilitated by Pili Valderrama, President 2020-2021 Eco Rotary Club of Kaka’ako.