“The earth brought forth vegetation…trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it.  And …it was good.” Genesis 1:12

What can you do to reduce your use of energy for heating and cooling? Plant a tree on your property to reduce your home heating/cooling energy use plus contribute to the sequestration of carbon.

According to the FDA, “the value of urban trees continues to grow as they reduce energy used for heating and cooling by $5.4 billion dollars yearly while producing 67 million tons of oxygen. Urban trees are critical to overall environmental quality and human health.”

Also vitally important is the protection of  ‘old growth forests’ which sequester huge amounts of carbon – substantially more than younger forests. Forest Ecologist Bob Leverett of Massachusetts has contributed greatly to the discovery and protection of ancestral forested areas such as Ice Glen trailhead in Stockbridge, MA. These precious areas are defined as 150 year old multispecies systems of old growth forest untouched by commercial interests. *For more information about Old Growth Forests please see wonderful article on this topic in Smithsonian Magazine’s current Jan/Feb 2022 issue and https://www.oldgrowthforest.net/massachusetts, highlighting 4 Massachusetts counties. Of special interest is The Mohawk Trail Forest near North Adams comprising many 300 to 500 year old trees.

Perhaps the congregation could set a specific goal for newly planted trees by Rockport residents in celebration of Earth Day, April 22! Photos of the UUSR’s members helping neighbors to plant trees would highlight the good works of UU’s possibly encouraging new membership, especially by young people. Perhaps we could encourage the Town of Rockport to apply for a Tree City USA designation through the Arbor Day Foundation (arborday.org).

Your Climate Action Group invites your comments and suggestions!