Singer / Songwriter / Lyrics / Music = Songs

• Im-Leaving-I.mp3
• Im-Leaving-I.mp4
• Im-Leaving-II.mp3
• Im-Leaving-II.mp4
• Im-Leaving-prequel-1.mp3
• Im-Leaving-prequel-1.mp4
• Im-Leaving-prequel-2.mp3
• Im-Leaving-prequel-2.mp4
• Im-Leaving-prequel-3.mp3
• Im-Leaving-prequel-3.mp4

[Intro]
I hate long good-byes
Though…
They’re better than short good-byes
Where everyone dies
(cries and dies)

[Verse 1]
I’m leaving…
Can’t stand here anymore
All my leaves,
Leaving
[Bridge]
Man’s stand’s clear
Ignore the cure

[Chorus]
Stop (Stop!) mass consumption
And, social deception (again and again)
Stop (Stop!) the exploitation
Save (Save!) the population
[Bridge]
Time you enslave
How you behave

[Verse 2]
You’re barking
Up the wrong tree
Embarking
On tragedy
[Bridge]
Can’t you see
Man’s stand’s clear
Ignore the cure

[Chorus]
Stop (Stop!) mass consumption
And, social deception (again and again)
Stop (Stop!) the exploitation
Save (Save!) the population
[Bridge]
Time you enslave
How you behave

[Outro]
I hate long good-byes
Though… you know….

The arboreal canopy, once lush and verdant, is now undergoing a significant decline. The mature trees, which serve as the keystone species of the forest ecosystem, are increasingly succumbing to anthropogenic pressures. This ecological imbalance has profound repercussions. The reduction in tree density allows invasive vines to proliferate, exploiting the increased sunlight to climb higher and envelop the remaining trees.

From the album “Wood You Save the Trees?” by The Beatless Sense Mongers

MegaEpix Enormous

A song about The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

• 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

From the album “Wood You Save the Trees?” by The Beatless Sense Mongers

MegaEpix Enormous

A song about The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

• Climax-and-Succession-I.mp3
• Climax-and-Succession-I.mp4
• Climax-and-Succession-II.mp3
• Climax-and-Succession-II.mp4

[Intro]

Climax and succession
Spiraling depression

[Verse 1]
In a rift
Species shift
Disturbance regime
Do you know what I mean

[Chorus]
Biodiversity
Becomes a rarity
Obviously
We can not see

[Bridge]
Blind to our demise
No surprise?

[Verse 2]
Disturbances:
Declining chances
Pestilence proliferation
Unwilling participation

[Chorus]
Biodiversity
Becomes a rarity
Obviously
We can not see

[Bridge]
Blind to our demise
No surprise?

[Instrumental, Saxophone Solo, Bass]

[Bridge]
Blind to our demise
No surprise?

[Chorus]
Biodiversity
Becomes a rarity
Obviously
We can not see

[Outro]
Blind to our demise
No surprise?

A SCIENCE NOTE
Climate change has profound effects on both climax and succession forests, altering their composition, structure, and ecological dynamics. Here’s how these impacts unfold:

Climax Forests

Climax forests are stable, mature ecosystems that have reached a late stage of ecological succession. They are characterized by a stable species composition and structure that persists until disrupted by a disturbance. Climate change impacts these forests in several ways:

1. Temperature Increases: Warmer temperatures can stress species that are adapted to cooler climates, leading to shifts in species composition. For example, in boreal climax forests, species like spruce and fir may decline, while more temperate species like maple and oak may increase .
2. Altered Precipitation Patterns: Changes in precipitation can affect soil moisture levels, influencing tree growth and survival. In areas experiencing increased drought, such as some temperate and Mediterranean forests, species that are less drought-tolerant may decline, altering the forest structure and function .
3. Increased Frequency of Disturbances: Climate change can lead to more frequent and intense disturbances, such as wildfires, storms, and pest outbreaks. These disturbances can reset succession processes, pushing climax forests back to earlier successional stages and altering their long-term stability .
4. Pest and Disease Proliferation: Warmer temperatures can facilitate the spread of pests and diseases. For instance, the mountain pine beetle has devastated large areas of climax forests in North America, leading to widespread tree mortality and changes in forest composition .

Succession Forests

Succession forests are in various stages of recovery following a disturbance. Climate change affects these forests by altering the rates and trajectories of succession:

1. Altered Growth Rates: Changes in temperature and CO2 levels can influence the growth rates of different species. Some pioneer species may grow faster under higher CO2 concentrations, potentially accelerating early successional stages but also potentially leading to different competitive dynamics later on .
2. Species Shifts: Climate change can influence which species dominate during different successional stages. For example, increased temperatures and altered moisture regimes can favor different sets of pioneer and mid-successional species, leading to novel successional pathways .
3. Disturbance Regimes: More frequent disturbances can prevent succession forests from reaching climax stages, maintaining them in earlier stages of succession for longer periods. This can alter the landscape mosaic and the biodiversity it supports .
4. Seed Dispersal and Establishment: Climate change can affect seed dispersal mechanisms and the establishment success of seedlings. Changes in wind patterns, animal behaviors, and soil conditions can influence which species successfully establish in succession forests .

Ecological and Management Implications

• Biodiversity: Changes in species composition and structure can affect biodiversity at multiple levels. Some species may thrive while others decline, potentially leading to losses in overall biodiversity.
• Ecosystem Services: The ability of forests to provide ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, and habitat provision, can be altered. For example, changes in species composition can influence the carbon storage capacity of forests.
• Conservation and Management: Adaptive management strategies are needed to address the impacts of climate change on both climax and succession forests. This includes monitoring changes, facilitating species migration, and managing disturbances to maintain forest health and resilience.

Sources

• USDA Forest Service
• IPCC Report
• National Park Service

These impacts underscore the complex and dynamic nature of forest ecosystems in the face of climate change, highlighting the need for adaptive management and conservation strategies.

From the album “Wood You Save the Trees?” by The Beatless Sense Mongers

MegaEpix Enormous

A song about The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment