Friday 26th July was National Tree Day!
National Tree Day is a call to action for all Australians to put their hands in the earth and give back to their community.
This year’s Tree Report, entitled Living Cities: Trees in the Urban Environment digs deep into the science on trees and the countless benefits they provide in our urban environment:
- 70% of Australians agree that individual actions can have an impact on global environmental issues, with planting trees one of the best things we can do for planetary health;
- A 5% increase in tree cover can reduce nearby daytime temperatures by 2.3C, which could be crucial as heatwaves cost more lives than all other climate change impacts combined;
- Healthy urban trees absorb carbon dioxide and air pollutants from the atmosphere while providing oxygen for us to breathe;
- Time spent in green outdoor spaces can lower the risk of many diseases including heart disease and diabetes; and
- Time in nature reduces stress while improving happiness, well-being and productivity.
Here at Merici we planted a Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box) that will eventually grow up to 40 metres.
Felicity Maher
Sustainability Officer
