Will Carbon Emissions Finally Decrease at a Faster Rate?|First Genetically Modified Trees in the U.S

February 25, 2023

Pollution... is something we cannot avoid. The most significant pollutions in our environment are but are not limited to air, water, light, and plastic pollution.

My Experience In Air Pollution

At least once every two months, when I get home from volunteering or work, around ten p.m., there is this unpleasant and gaseous odor circulating throughout my neighborhood. The air smells worse than a skunk's fart—imagine if our descendants suffer from a health problem as a result of our lack of actions. I don't want my generation's mistakes to be a burden on future generations. Because the world is so vast, I and many others often wonder why noxious fragrances do not simply diffuse. I discovered the solution: the rate of pollution. I must confess that I feel guilty for not being aware of the harmful effects of all pollution around the world. One thing they will all have in common is that they are all exponentially growing at an alarming rate, leaving no way for the noxious gases in the atmosphere to escape. As a society, we are trapping these gases and, in effect, setting the trap for future generations, and we must consider alternatives NOW.

See The Effects

Pollution levels in the United States have risen since the country's transition from hunter-gatherers to industrialization. While there are positive aspects to industrialization, we still need to balance the rate of carbon emissions that are diffusing throughout our world. Pollution is an ongoing issue, but individuals can play a significant role in reducing the rate of emissions. Carbon emissions from fossil fuels alone have nearly quadrupled between 1940 and 2010. The rate at which trees can absorb CO2 is very slow because, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, a fully grown tree can only absorb about 48 pounds of CO2 per year. Isn't that good? you might ask. No, because it is restricted to only being done by fully grown and mature trees; additionally, forty-eight pounds showcases minimal significance when compared to how much carbon is emitted globally (see chart). As a result, the rate of carbon emissions will never slow, but if just one community steps up to the plate on this issue, there is a better chance of saving our planet.

Source: Boden, T.A., Marland, G., and Andres, R.J. (2017). Global, Regional, and National Fossil-Fuel CO2Emissions. Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, Tenn., U.S.A. doi 10.3334/CDIAC/00001_V2017.

Taking Action

For the first time, Living Carbon, a biotechnology company, has successfully modified trees to combat climate change. Living Carbon has discovered a long-term solution to the rising carbon emissions problem: the introduction of poplar trees. These trees, like modified crops, are not ordinary trees; rather, they are catalysts for combating climate change by incorporating a photosynthesis enhancement to increase the tree's growth rate, the ability to capture more carbon than ordinary trees, and numerous other advantages! Photosynthesis enhancement hastens the maturation of trees, and with the added benefit of capturing more carbon, our world may be able to avoid this crisis. Living Carbon's mission accounts for everyone; for example, quickening tree growth causes an outburst of pollen—which 14% of the population is allergic to— but because they are genetically modifying female trees it resolves this issue.

Resolution?

According to Gabriel Popkins, an environmental journalist from the New York Times, "numerous inefficiencies prevent plants from capturing and storing more than a small fraction of the solar energy that falls onto their leaves". Thus, GMO (genetically modified) trees and certainly ordinary trees are not perfect, but with further development and enhancement, we can get very close. In short, while the work of Living Carbon is admirable, we should still support and encourage others because we can all strive for betterment if we work together. If you want to make a difference in the world's future, please join or encourage others to join Living Carbon's Land Partnerships for free.

Source: Abram, Cleo. "Should we use GMO trees to slow climate change?" Youtube, uploaded by Abram Cleo, 30 June 2022, https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=60knnFuDQE8

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