I wrote this Summary for English 100 on an article about “The Importance of Urban Forests” written by Amy Fleming.
“The Importance of Urban Forests: Why Money Really Does Grow on Trees” (2016) written by Amy Fleming is an article where she reports on the impact trees have on us mentally, physically, and financially. It also speaks about the importance of valuing nature. According to William Bird, “the value we place on trees and nature is informed by childhood experience. Children growing up dislocated from nature results in … an extinction of experience. These children will ultimately understand and value nature less … [E]ach generation will pass on less experience of the natural environment” (5). Bird warns that there will be consequences if nature continues to disappear. Future generations will not only lose the value and experience, but they will also suffer the consequences of not having the health benefits trees provide for us. Birds studies also show “[People] [i]n areas with more trees… have less anxiety and depression…[and] more energy to be active” (4). In another shocking study, Geoffrey Donovan discovers “[M]ortality rates in areas which have lost millions of trees . . . identified a corresponding increase in human mortality” (5). Not only do trees improve health, but they also give the city financial relief. A report done by Jill Jones shows that cities can save millions of dollars yearly due to the energy savings they provide (3). Due to the importance and benefits trees give us, it is important to confront the dangers of deforestation to give a sustainable life for future generations.