LAST week, around 15 trees were chopped down in my neighbourhood. It felt like someone was asking us not to breathe any more. This is what man is doing to the Earth and the people living here. It is important for us and those around us to understand that it takes decades for these trees to grow and mature in the soil while it just takes minutes to cut, chop or burn them down.

Every year 10 billion trees are cut rather than planted by man for the sake of short-term gains and means.

Last month about 1,145 sq kms of the Amazon were destroyed by fire. Studies have suggested that reforestation can prove to be an effective way of saving the earth as trees inhale all the unhealthy greenhouse gases emitted by man increasing global warming.

At this devastating position of climate change, it is important to realise that it is equally necessary to look after the existing trees along with planting new ones.

I pray to witness a more serious attitude of people towards climate change and saving our homeland.

Mahrukh Khan

Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2019