Dear Ted:
re: GREEN LEGACY PROGRAM
I wholeheartedly endorse your Green Legacy Program to expand the County of Wellington’s significant initiative of Ontario’s tree planting efforts, to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Province of Ontario in 2017.
The goal of planting 150 million trees beginning in 2017 is ambitious and admirable. It is also vitally critical to contributing to the mitigation of the disastrous effects of increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere; levels not seen in millions of years!
Humans have upset the natural planetary carbon cycle through the burning of fossil fuels and poor land use practices, adding over 100 ppm of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere since the dawn of the Industrial Age in 1750. The level of carbon dioxide is now over 400 ppm and climbing rapidly. We MUST get the level of carbon dioxide back to the scientifically recognized safe level of 350 ppm as quickly as possible. A major tree planting initiative would help immensely in achieving that goal. Trees and forests are a hugely important carbon sink.
Forests, woodlands and urban parks help fight climate change through the natural process of photosynthesis. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutant particulates, then store the carbon and release oxygen that every living thing on this planet requires to survive.
Since the resolution passed unanimously in the Ontario Legislature with the support of MPPs from all three parties, it behoves the Government of Ontario to ensure this expanded program is enacted and as quickly as possible. The whole province would then start to benefit from your initial program in Wellington County.
I know you will continue to urge the Ontario Government to get behind the idea. You have my unequivocal backing and also that of our national organization of Citizens Climate Lobby (as per the attachment).
Yours sincerely,
Gord Cumming
