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How can planting trees help fight climate change? — Reading Comprehension

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RI.3.1
RI.4.1
4.ESS2.D
4-ESS3

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This passage explains to children how planting trees can help combat climate change. It describes trees as 'nature's air cleaners,' absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. The text provides a tangible fact - that one tree can absorb up to 48 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. It also explains additional benefits of trees, such as providing shade and cooling urban areas. By mentioning how forests can influence rainfall patterns, the passage helps children understand the broader environmental impacts of trees beyond just carbon absorption.

CONTENT PREVIEW

How Trees Help the Planet

Planting trees is one of nature’s best ways to fight climate change. Trees are like millions of tiny workers that clean the air all day, every day. They do this through a process called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air. This gas is a main cause of climate change. Trees store the carbon in their wood, roots, and leaves.

Carbon Sinks and Climate Change

Forests act as giant carbon sinks. A carbon sink is a place that stores carbon, keeping it out of the atmosphere. One mature tree can absorb about 48 pounds of CO₂ every year! Some forests keep storing carbon for hundreds of years. This helps slow down global warming, because less CO₂ stays in the air.

More Ways Trees Help

Trees are amazing for other reasons too. They release oxygen—the gas we need to breathe. Trees also cool the air by giving shade and letting off water vapor. Their roots absorb rainwater, which helps stop flooding. The leaves trap dust and pollution, making the air cleaner. Forests give homes to many animals and keep soil from washing away.

Where Planting Helps Most

Planting trees is important in many places. Reforestation means planting trees where forests were cut down. Planting trees in cities cools streets and buildings. On farms, trees protect crops and soil. Planting trees on damaged land helps nature recover.

Tree-Planting Efforts and What Kids Can Do

People around the world plant billions of trees. Countries, schools, and communities all help. Kids can plant trees, join tree-planting events, care for trees, and teach others why forests matter. Planting trees helps, but it’s not enough by itself. We also need to reduce pollution and use less fossil fuels.

Interesting Fact: Planting trees is like hiring millions of tiny workers who work 24/7 for free, cleaning pollution from the air and storing it safely in their trunks and branches!

What is photosynthesis?

How plants make food from sunlightHow trees grow rootsHow animals breatheHow rain falls

What do trees store in their wood?

CarbonWaterSunlightSoil

What gas do we need to breathe?

OxygenCarbonNitrogenHelium

Why are forests called carbon sinks?

They store carbon from the airThey let in sunlightThey make rainThey lose leaves

How do trees help prevent flooding?

Their roots absorb rainwaterThey make cloudsThey stop sunlightThey drop leaves

What is reforestation?

Planting trees in cut forestsCutting down treesMaking paperBuilding houses