By Abubakar Idris Misau
According to a study published 10 years ago in the journal Nature (Ehrenberg, 2015), our planet is home to a staggering 3.04 trillion trees. Now, try searching for the article titled “Global forest survey finds trillions of trees”; come back with a different result and refer to me as “Mr. Sociologist” – as Reno Omokri would say it, please.
When writing in the realm of science and research, one cannot simply state things. Often, figures are necessary, and it is not enough to just present them; one must also explain where and how they were obtained, detailing their validity. This is the academic way. This is the scientific way. This is not the sociologist’s way. And definitely not the way of “political science.“
With “political science” in quotes, let me share a short story: While at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), there was a legend involving the renowned mathematics guru, Professor M.Y. Balla. They said he remarked, “While mathematics is the simplest thing to understand, the most difficult concept ever conceived is the one that led to the naming of a department or discipline as political science.” It’s quite a legend!
Deduce, meanwhile, that science is proof, not talk. Scientific research writing can tire a person before they reach the end of the first sentence – only for one to finish the terrible journey and have people saying, “wetin this one talk nii?”
In other words, a scientific work is like a qualified doctor’s handwritten prescription: terrible and difficult to read, yet easy to understand by the right audience, such as a pharmacist, when it comes to a medical doctor’s handwritten advice.
Hence, with this message targeting the general public, it remains so – as it is. The scientific way isn’t for us.
Let’s get to work:
As we navigate the complexities of our planet’s ecosystem, one ironic truth holds: the most formidable soldiers of our planet are not those wielding guns or bombs, but rather the ones with leaves, roots, and trunks. Trees, the often-overlooked sentinels of our environment, are the true warriors of planet Earth.
Contrary to what some of us mistakenly believe, these arboreal giants are not merely passive observers; they are actively engaged in a continuous struggle to protect our planet’s fragile balance.
From producing oxygen to filtering pollutants and supporting biodiversity, trees are the frontline defenders against the ravages of climate change.
But if we think that’s all they do, then we cannot be more wrong. In truth, as this little note shows, trees are more than just ecological warriors; they are also master strategists.
In an academic context and hopefully for the last time, a study entitled “Net Transfer of Carbon Between Trees by Ectomycorrhizal Fungi in the Field” demonstrates that trees have evolved complex communication networks, utilizing fungal hyphae to share nutrients and warn of potential threats (Simard, 1997).
This symbiotic relationship eerily resembles the tactics used by human militaries, where intelligence sharing and coordination are essential to success. Technical? Sorry about that. That’s the best I can do! Keep the tempo up.
The point is that trees have developed an impressive array of defense mechanisms to counter the numerous threats they face. From the chemical defenses used by the majestic baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) to the physical barriers created by the resilient redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), trees have evolved a remarkable range of strategies to ensure their survival.
And here comes the shocking open secret: despite their critical role in maintaining planetary balance, trees are facing unprecedented threats. Anthropogenic activities are taking a devastating toll on global tree populations, including industrialization, farming, housing, and shambolic acts.
The game of numbers: We cut down 41 million trees each day! That amounts to 15 billion trees annually. This means we have only 200 years to eliminate the remaining 3.04 trillion standing soldiers.
Mind you, it isn’t as if we are making any real effort to reverse the dangerous trend. Currently, we plant less than 2 billion trees a year (about 5 million each day).
To maintain our current situation – without increasing our numbers, which we desperately need to avoid – we must plant 36 million more trees daily, totaling 13 billion trees needed to close the gap between what we destroy and what we establish each year.
We are, therefore, through this trade-up, waging a war against our own planet, with trees as the immediate casualties.
However, we need to understand that trees are not just individual organisms; they are part of a larger web of life. They are some of the most important elements of this web. Soldiers. Custodians. Protectors of life itself.
Therefore, we must acknowledge the vital role trees play in protecting our planet and take steps to preserve them.
The future of our planet relies on the ongoing vigilance of these unsung heroes – the arboreal army standing tall, steadfast, and tireless in their defense of our world.
Let’s stop the starvation and attacking our saviors, please!
The Good News: We are approximately 8 billion people. Planting two trees per person means planting 16 billion trees. This results in a surplus of about one billion trees compared to the 15 billion stands we destroy each year. The ball is in our court.
Happy International Day of Forests, 2025.
Abubakar Idris, a Forestry and Wildlife graduate from the University of Maiduguri, writes from Katsina. Contact: abubakaridrismisau@gmail.com.