Trees and Children
Have you ever planted a tree? Do you remember how it felt? Was it a one-time event, or something you do regularly?
When I was in elementary school, each new class would plant a tree. As our trees grew, they symbolized our personal growth and our connection to each other. A great poet once said, “Those who plant trees without understanding them have done nothing at all. They will eventually realize they don’t know what shade is for.”
The other day, during my lunch break, I walked down a street lined with car dealerships. I imagined what it would be like if, instead of cars, there were trees in every parking space. I could breathe clean air instead of car exhaust. I could see animals instead of cold metal and dirty asphalt.
The rows of cars in parking lots reflect not just our transportation preferences but also our impact on natural habitats. With each new parking space, we edge closer to depleting forests, disrupting ecosystems, and contributing to deforestation.
Have we exchanged children for cars? Recent Italian data shows a troubling trend: as the number of cars increases, the number of children in our society declines. We focus more on soulless machinery than on our future — our children. They are our future, not us. How we treat them now will shape the world they inherit.
Why have we become so selfish and greedy? We prioritize our own happiness and satisfaction above all else, often at the expense of others. Where do our children fit into this picture? What are they learning about what matters in life? Is a car more important than a tree? We’ve been led to believe so. But ask yourself: is one car more important than one tree? Are parking lots more important than forests?
City planning prioritizes cars over children. We have more parking lots than parks and green spaces. Every block has roadways, but not enough playgrounds. I can’t let my daughter play outside alone because our cities are built for adults with cars, not for children.
Imagine a world where our descendants can enjoy lush forests, breathe clean air, and marvel at diverse ecosystems. By planting trees today, we sow the seeds for a healthier, more resilient future.
The clock is ticking, and the Earth needs us now more than ever. Let’s move beyond the digital realm and plant the seeds of change where they matter most — in the soil beneath our feet.
