Sowing the Seeds To Save the World

ONE TRILLION TREES may sound like a lot, but, according to the best science, its the minimum of what we the human species needs to plant, post haste, if we are to harbor any hope of even starting on the laborious process of repairing our damaged planet. Our efforts thus far are, tragically, being far outpaced by our continued destruction, and now time is running short, according to simple, explainable science. The weather has already become far more violent, and as this increases, so will our acceptance of and panic over climate change of the man made kind. its frightening to think of my generation, baby boomer 1955 model, sliding into old age with the earth in the balance, poised between ecological disasters and salvation, our summers too hot and long. My generation may die away never knowing the end of the story. it would be nice, as an American, to fade away watching the United States of America take the lead in fighting and reversing climate change. Currently, under present political conditions, that seems less likely than ever, unless their is a massive effort by the states, cities, and people, independent of national government. we are told by conservatives that we must not make America more like Europe. Actually, we should, and must. The French, German, and English countrysides are manicured, almost like one huge national park. No litter, no garbage. European buildings and houses always seem to be freshly painted, without any of the stained and corroded look of many American structures. In the "new world" land was unlimited; everything could be thrown away. It might be time to start treating our public spaces like art museums, instead of trash heaps. We could probably plant a trillion trees in the United states alone. it is amazing, while cruising across country, the number of places in america where there could and should be trees, but aren't. The more exclusive the neighborhood, the larger, the more expensive the lawns and houses - the fewer the trees, weirdly. Wealthy suburban Americans seem to hate trees, as if tress might block the view of their gorgeous houses, and scatter unsightly leaves across the perfectly manicured lawn, with its carpet like grass. Maybe some huge climate changed storm will blow all the McMansions down, replaced them with high rise apartments, and surround them with wilderness, that we, and other species might live.