Forest Defense is Self-Defense « It’s Getting Hot In Here

Chemical released by trees can help cool planet, scientists find
By David Adam at the Guardian, 10-31-08

Trees could be more important to the Earth’s climate than previously thought, according to a new study that reveals forests help to block out the sun.

Scientists in the UK and Germany have discovered that trees release a chemical that thickens clouds above them, which reflects more sunlight and so cools the Earth. The research suggests that chopping down forests could accelerate global warming more than was thought, and that protecting existing trees could be one of the best ways to tackle the problem.

Dominick Spracklen, of the Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science at Leeds University, said: “We think this could have quite a significant effect. You can think of forests as climate air conditioners.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/oct/31/forests-climatechange

About Mattie

Mattie is the Coordinator of the Ohio Student Environmental Coalition, based in Columbus. He founded OSEC at Power Shift 07, and is proud to support a growing statewide network of student groups working for a clean, safe, and just future for all. Mattie originally got involved as a Syracuse University student who saw a pressing need for climate action, later as an Energy Justice Network intern who began to realize the human impacts of coal, and finally as an OSEC organizer committed to building an economy and climate worth fighting for. He also has a degree in women's studies and sociology, is a founding member of the Mountain Justice Spring Break Planning Collective and an intentional community in Columbus, and is the convener of the Energy Action Coalition's Dismantling Oppression working group.

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