Welcome to the We The Children podcast, the podcast where kids talk climate change! The show is hosted by your resident kid, Zachary James. He may be 11 years old, but he has big concerns for our future - concerns about how decades and even centuries of our forebears have done damage to our planet and profited at the expense of our future. Each week, we will discuss the most pressing climate issues and meet climate warriors who are working to protect our planet. You’ll get wacky weather reports, play fun trivia games, and learn ways that you can make a difference in your community. We may not have all the answers, but we will fight for climate solutions!

Today’s episode is all about trees, and starts with an interview with David Milarch, founder of the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive. David shares that healthy trees are crucial for the earth; they filter the air and water that animals and humans need, and also provide shade and a home for birds. Trees are considered the earth’s “lungs,” and they are currently under the threat of mass deforestation. Deforestation undercuts the ability of trees to remove the toxins human “progress” feeds into the air and water, and is harmful to the entire ecosystems of the trees.

In view of these problems, David and his colleagues are hard at work doing in the laboratory what already happens in nature: tree cloning. In their case, the aim is to preserve the genetics of certain trees, such as long-lasting redwoods, so that scientists may eventually determine what it is that has made these trees so resilient. David also shares about efforts to migrate forests, as well as the “Tree School” his organization has created (and is working to make available nation-wide!) to help young people learn about the importance and plight of trees.

David explains that anyone, including his 11-year-old host, can make a difference to the climate by planting just two trees a year. Every person planting two trees a year would drastically shift the trajectory of our planet! And while David’s greatest fear about our changing climate is that people will sit around and do nothing, his greatest hope is young people, who have been raising the bar of taking action for change! After a round of tree trivia about all things redwoods and a wacky weather report on understanding and braving heat waves, Zachary leaves listeners with an action step of the week to complement David’s advice: instead of consuming wood-based products, look for sustainable bamboo alternatives!

Links:

Learn more about the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive and Tree School.

Learn more about David and his team.

Learn more about We The Children.

Reach out to us @wethechildrenpodcast

Thanks for listening! And always remember, if we act together, we the children, can inspire hope and create change for our climate!

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