Trees are hot. By that, I mean that trees are cool. More specifically, trees are cooling. Planting trees is in vogue, with tree-planting projects involving billions and even trillions of trees sprouting up across the planet.
Science supports such initiatives, but a seed of doubt belongs with every sapling. Green thumbs are no substitute for emissions red lines. Shade is good, but it must not overshadow the hard work of cutting greenhouse gasses.
Planting trees is good for the environment and good for the species that work, play, reproduce or otherwise take up space in it. The first and most immediate benefit — and the focus of much of the fascination — is their ability to remove particulate matter and other forms of air pollution.