Tree-hugger ?!?!?!

I never realised how much I valued tree's until I came to Perth.
Over here when they build the MANY new housing estates they flatten the ground. Not even a blade of grass is left standing.
Perth - to me appeared like an ugly desert of rooftops.
A concrete desert.
Walking the kids to and from school that first summer was unbearable. The glare, no shade whatsoever to bring any relief.
Now we have moved up into the older "hills" area and there are tree's, and BIRDS, possums even, and heavenly pockets of shade to break the walk to and from school.
I don't know the statistics for how many new tree's we (the world) plant to make up for the ones we cut down but no doubt the damage we are doing IS significant and in some cases totally irreversable.
After all it takes time for nature to re-establish itself while the tree's grow, whereas forests are wiped out instantly - Where does the wildlife go in the meanwhile?
We complain when animals such as fruit bats infringe on our communities. Want to "get rid of them".
That always makes me mad!
Why do we think that we human beings have the right to claim all the land for ourselves?
Don't we realise that collectively all the species on the planet work in a cleverly designed harmony, and to disrupt that "balance" only brings more problems for ourselves?

When you alter the geography of the earth, as we do with things such as mining, and the daily destruction of forests doesn't it make sense then that this would have an impact on things such as weather?
It's not just about the disappearance of certain species of animals...I think in so many ways we are altering the whole balance of how the earth "works"which ultimately will be to the detriment of human kind.
Ultimately if left alone nature will reclaim itself, which is the only consolation to something like the scenario set out in that documentary about when "people" are gone.

Yes I am a "tree hugger" at heart - wouldn't call myself a greenie either, but it continues to disillusion me, how much we crap on this planet.

In rebutle to your argument, many years ago when studying landmangament, there was research that showed that old trees are slower growing, thus utilising less carbon and utilising less water, thus contributing to raising water tables. Younger trees are faster growing, utilising more water and greater amounts of carbon, thus better for the environment. therefore I say clear fell the whole damn lot and plant more bluegums and pines, which as a consequence will have far greater reaching benefits for the economy aswell (tic!!);)

Im a bit of a greenie too, but I object to the long haired hippie tree huggers doing their thing. The state that they leave some of the protest camps in is diabolicle.

there is nothing quite as majestic though as a forest of old growth, something very soothing and awe inspiring about the whole thing.

I find it fascinating that this country is wrapped up in the misnomer of carbon, given that CO2 levels are at something like 4000 times the level at which it would have an effect on reflecting radiation (causing the 'greenhouse effect').

When you also consider Australia emmits something like 1.5% of the world's CO2, anything we do is akin to a fart in a storm.

You don't have to be a greenie to think that way. It just shows how much you value and respect our environment. We had a guy working for us who was a high up member of the Hells Angels. He thought the same way I did about the environment - protect the trees and the animals, cut down pollution, etc. I wouldn't have ever called him a greenie. More than my life was worth.

Having said that, I don't go around hugging trees, I just caress them gently.

Just watch out for the ants when hugging that tree.