Forests and water are the essence of how the Goddess controls Earth’s climate (image created by Dall-e3) Earth’s climate is one of those huge hyperobjects that we have problems in understanding. Our mind is made to simplify and choose between binary alternatives. So, if we decide that CO2 is the main element that controls climate, we tend to rule out everything else. So, in climate science, forests are often seen as little more than carbon stocks. Once you take this attitude, the idea of slowing down global warming by planting trees becomes controversial, no matter how popular it is with politicians.
I don't much like your calling trees "machines." A better attitude is expressed by that lovely image. I live in the eastern US and have wondered at how often the global maps James Hansen posts show our region as nearly the only land region that isn't warming. I've also noted that I have not personally seen evidence of warming--but some of this is because I used to live in a "holler," in a spot where the ground to the west wouldn't support trees. Now I live on a ridge, with forests down the slope to the west (prevailing wind); we built our house up against tall trees to the west so it's in full shade all afternoon in summer; but also, breezes climbing the hill prior to entering our windows are subject to the cooling effect of all that transpiration.
Yes indeed - a version of slash-and-burn. I learned a few years ago that the maple woods of New Hampshire hide the stone walling of the settlement fields. Yes, before the American power house took over, urbanising industrialised Britain was the big market. The old growth forests are still here as flooring - there is a brisk trade for example in pitch pine reclaimed from 19thC buildings and industrial sites. Our main and very busy rail link London to Scotland crosses the R. Tweed on its 19thC original viaduct sitting on American Elm piles steam-hammer driven into the tidal river bed, not far from here at Berwick upon Tweed.
The American story is quite some story! I have a great 'technical' book; Cunfer's 'On the Great Plains - Agriculture & Environment' (Texas A&M University Press, 2005). It covers for example the critical introduction of fossil fuel derived fertiliser.
I don't much like your calling trees "machines." A better attitude is expressed by that lovely image. I live in the eastern US and have wondered at how often the global maps James Hansen posts show our region as nearly the only land region that isn't warming. I've also noted that I have not personally seen evidence of warming--but some of this is because I used to live in a "holler," in a spot where the ground to the west wouldn't support trees. Now I live on a ridge, with forests down the slope to the west (prevailing wind); we built our house up against tall trees to the west so it's in full shade all afternoon in summer; but also, breezes climbing the hill prior to entering our windows are subject to the cooling effect of all that transpiration.
Yes indeed - a version of slash-and-burn. I learned a few years ago that the maple woods of New Hampshire hide the stone walling of the settlement fields. Yes, before the American power house took over, urbanising industrialised Britain was the big market. The old growth forests are still here as flooring - there is a brisk trade for example in pitch pine reclaimed from 19thC buildings and industrial sites. Our main and very busy rail link London to Scotland crosses the R. Tweed on its 19thC original viaduct sitting on American Elm piles steam-hammer driven into the tidal river bed, not far from here at Berwick upon Tweed.
The American story is quite some story! I have a great 'technical' book; Cunfer's 'On the Great Plains - Agriculture & Environment' (Texas A&M University Press, 2005). It covers for example the critical introduction of fossil fuel derived fertiliser.
Hi Ugo
Interesting articule.
Rob Lewis has some great insights around this. He has been writing about Dr Milla works, and we recently wrote about these same effect in Chile.
https://theclimateaccordingtolife.substack.com/p/another-mediterranean-climate-mystery
Hope you find Insightful