Tree planting and human rights

Tree planting and human rights

From the smog spreading over some cities to the smoke and dust that infiltrates homes, air pollution poses an imminent threat to public health rights, as it causes air pollution around us, whether in rural areas or rural areas. Urban pollutants form fine particles, which, when inhaled over successive years, lead to a number of serious diseases such as strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, acute and chronic respiratory diseases, and others.

According to statistics from the World Health Organization, premature death affects approximately “seven million” people every year. Due to the effects associated with air pollution, whether ambient air or indoor air (at home). Day after day, the sources of pollution around us increase. Which puts us before a challenge to find solutions so that the severity of pollution can be mitigated and public health rights can be preserved.

Afforestation and public health

Evidence is accumulating that indicates a relationship between the restoration and improvement of nature and a decrease in mortality rates, but most studies use satellite imaging. To estimate thevegetation cover index, which does not distinguish different types of vegetation and cannot be translated directly into concrete, accurate conclusions.

However, in a natural experiment that occurred in the city of Portland between 1990 and 2019, the “Friends of Trees” association planted “49,246 trees” in the streets, and kept records of the places where these trees were planted. Then a team of researchers looked at the number of trees planted in a specific area specifically in this city and in a specific area where about 4,000 people live, during a period from (5 to 15) of the previous years, and then they linked this information to the numbers of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases. Blood and respiratory system, or for non-accidental causes in the same area, using data from the Oregon Health Authority.

The results reached by the researchers showed that in neighborhoods where more trees were planted, death rates were much lower, especially for males and people over the age of 65.

Moreover, a stronger correlation was found betweenthe age of treesand the mortality rate. The older the trees and their growth in an area, the greater the decrease in the mortality rate, as the results indicated that the trees Trees planted 11-15 years ago were responsible for a decrease in mortality by a rate equivalent to (30%), which is double what was observed with trees planted from the previous (1-5 years) (15%). This means that older trees are associated with a greater decrease in the mortality rate, and that preserving Existing mature trees may be particularly important for public health rights.

Real effect or statistical coincidence?

This experiment does not provide compelling evidence of how trees improve health rights, but it is a somewhat sketchy statistical view. However, the finding that large trees have a greater health impact than small ones is well-known and scientifically proven; Because large trees are better at absorbing air pollution, maintaining moderate temperatures, and reducing noise, which gives a strong indication of the validity of the first conclusion, which is the effect of trees on human health, so planting trees becomes an effective tool in preserving human health and protecting human rights.