- Nice-Set-of-Lungs-I.mp3
- Nice-Set-of-Lungs-I.mp4
- Nice-Set-of-Lungs-II.mp3
- Nice-Set-of-Lungs-II.mp4
- Nice-Set-of-Lungs-guitar.mp3
- Nice-Set-of-Lungs-prequel.mp3
- Nice-Set-of-Lungs-prequel.mp4
[Intro]
Man does she have a nice set of lungs
So, the swan song’s sung
[Verse 1]
Can’t you see
You’re suffocating me
I can’t breathe
In heat in humidity
I seethe
[Chorus]
For what it’s worth
The lungs of the Earth
Are dying
Are you crying
Or denying
[Bridge]
This is
Altered photosynthesis
Stomatal closure
For sure
Can we endure
Any more
[Verse 2]
Can’t you see
You’re suffocating me
I can’t breathe
In heat, in humidity
I seethe
[Chorus]
For what it’s worth
The lungs of the Earth
Are dying
Are you crying
Or denying
[Verse 3]
Definitely
Suffocating me
I can’t breathe
In lack of humanity
I seethe
[Chorus]
For what it’s worth
The lungs of the Earth
Are dying
Are you crying
Or denying
[Bridge]
This is
Altered photosynthesis
Stomatal closure
For sure
Can we endure
Any more (no, no more)
[Outro]
Won’t you believe
I can’t breathe
(Gasp)
A SCIENCE NOTE
Forests are often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth” because of their critical role in maintaining atmospheric balance and supporting life. Here are the key reasons behind this metaphor:
1. Oxygen Production
- Photosynthesis: Trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and release oxygen (O2) as a byproduct through the process of photosynthesis. Forests, which cover about 31% of the Earth’s land area, are major contributors to the global oxygen supply.
- Scale of Contribution: Tropical rainforests, such as the Amazon, are particularly significant, producing a substantial amount of the world’s oxygen. However, it’s important to note that marine photosynthesizers like phytoplankton also play a crucial role in global oxygen production .
2. Carbon Sequestration
- Carbon Storage: Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing more carbon dioxide than they emit. This helps mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing the overall concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere.
- Long-term Storage: Trees store carbon in their biomass (trunks, branches, leaves, and roots) and in forest soils, keeping it out of the atmosphere for extended periods .
3. Air Quality Improvement
- Pollutant Removal: Forests and trees filter air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, improving air quality and benefiting human health.
- Urban Benefits: In urban areas, trees can significantly reduce pollution levels, making cities healthier places to live .
4. Climate Regulation
- Temperature Moderation: Forests help regulate local and global climates by influencing temperature and humidity. They provide shade and release water vapor through transpiration, which has a cooling effect on the environment.
- Rainfall Patterns: Forests play a crucial role in maintaining the water cycle by contributing to rainfall patterns and stabilizing local and regional climates .
Conclusion
Forests are essential for maintaining the Earth’s ecological balance, much like lungs are vital for human respiration. They produce oxygen, sequester carbon, improve air quality, and regulate climate, making them indispensable to life on Earth.
Sources
- NASA Climate Kids: Why Are Trees Important?
- National Geographic: Amazon Rainforest
- World Resources Institute: Carbon Storage
- USDA Forest Service: Forest Benefits
Too Much CO2
Trees do absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere during the process of photosynthesis, where they convert CO2 and sunlight into oxygen and glucose. However, while trees need CO2 to survive, an excess of it in the atmosphere can indirectly harm them in several ways:
1. Climate Change Impacts
- Increased Temperatures: Higher levels of CO2 contribute to global warming. Elevated temperatures can lead to heat stress in trees, disrupting their growth, reproduction, and survival rates .
- Drought Conditions: Climate change driven by excess CO2 can alter precipitation patterns, leading to more frequent and severe droughts. Drought stress can weaken trees, making them more susceptible to disease and pest infestations .
2. Altered Photosynthesis
- Stomatal Closure: Trees may partially close their stomata (tiny openings on leaves) to reduce water loss during hot and dry conditions. This can limit CO2 uptake, slowing down photosynthesis and growth .
- Nutrient Imbalances: Increased CO2 can initially boost photosynthesis, but without corresponding increases in essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, trees may not sustain this enhanced growth, leading to nutrient deficiencies and reduced health .
3. Pests and Diseases
- Weakened Defense Mechanisms: Trees stressed by heat and drought are less able to defend against pests and diseases. Higher temperatures can also expand the range and lifespan of pests like bark beetles, increasing the risk of infestations that can kill trees .
4. Soil and Ecosystem Changes
- Soil Moisture Reduction: Higher temperatures and altered precipitation patterns can reduce soil moisture levels, affecting root health and overall tree vitality .
- Ecosystem Disruption: Climate change can disrupt the balance of ecosystems, affecting not just trees but the entire network of organisms that depend on them, including fungi, insects, and animals. This can lead to a breakdown in symbiotic relationships essential for tree health.
Conclusion
While trees do “breathe” in CO2 and need it for photosynthesis, excessive atmospheric CO2 contributes to climate change, which can lead to conditions that indirectly suffocate and kill trees through heat stress, drought, pest infestations, and nutrient imbalances. The complex interplay of these factors demonstrates the importance of addressing climate change to protect forest health.
Sources
- Union of Concerned Scientists: Climate Change and Forests
- National Geographic: How Climate Change Affects Forests
- USDA Forest Service: Forest Health