In the UK alone, 8 million trees are cut down each year just to be displayed at Christmas.
Christmas trees have been a huge source of western tradition since the 16th century: a symbol of eternal life.
Why?
Because they’re evergreen of course – as suggested by the name, they stay green all year round, never dropping their leaves or “dying”.
This means that they provide an invaluable source of food and shelter for wildlife during the colder months, when other foliage loses its leaves until the spring.
But it's not just mother nature who adores them ; naturally, we do too.
"I love that fresh pine smell," one woman stated, "you can't beat it."
Unfortunately, having these beauties in our home has a much wider impact than you may have ever imagined.
To keep up with demand, huge quantities of trees are planted onto farms each year – this seems like a good thing, right?
That isn’t the case.
These farms use pesticides and other chemicals to grow these trees, which pollutes the surrounding land and rivers.
Water, one of our most precious resources, is splurged onto these sites, and carbon dioxide accumulates as fossil fuels are used to transport the trees.
If this wasn’t bad enough, biodiversity levels (the number of different types of species) are low here as well, and there isn’t enough natural produce to support the ecosystem’s food chain.
More animals die.
Ironically, we seize these trees into our homes as a reminder of hope and life when everything else seems freezing and miserable, when in reality we are just stealing nature’s habitats for the sake of a pretty sight.
They serve as a reminder of how we mindlessly consume, for a short-lived bliss, without considering the impact it has on the wider world (and not just people).
However, there are ways that we can still enjoy these luxuries, mindfully.
Don’t be dismayed: there are still ways that you can help to save trees on Christmas day.
For example, you could buy a potted tree and plant it outside when you’re finished with it.
If you must buy a cut tree, you can ensure it gets recycled into something else, so it has at least had a second lease of life.
We can make a difference: all of these little things make a difference.
So, if you're considering buying a tree this year, think about a lively future, to be clear.
