Portugal, Aveiro Municipality: Leave the trees alone

We are against the cutting down of these trees which give us shade, beauty and fresh, clean air while making the neighbourhood pleasant and inviting for a stroll. We suggest that instead of cutting down the trees, the sidewalks be widened, and cycling lanes be created next to the trees, making the streets narrower and only one way.

The creation of a cycling lane would greatly benefit the population in general and the school students in particular, as it would promote the use of bicycles. Currently there are no cycling lanes in the area surrounding the school and students who ride their bicycles do so at their own risk, on main roads and among many cars. It would also benefit people with disabilities and restrained mobility. The implementation of a one way system around the school would significantly improve the traffic around the school, which can be complicated when parents drop off and pick up their children.

These are trees that have taken 25 years to attain their present size and present a very high photosynthesis capacity of air purification. These trees border the school and, for educational purposes, should not be cut down without a strong and understandable motive. According to the municipality's plan, other trees would be planted, but in a much smaller number and obviously of a much smaller size. Only in another 25 years' time would these new tree reach the stature of the current ones. Why should we have to wait 25 years to have trees the same size as the ones we have now, and to have less of them? Trees can absorb more than half the particles present in the atmosphere, which are the main cause of air pollution in urban centres. An adult tree can absorb annually approximately 22 kgs of carbon dioxide and produce a sufficient quantity of oxygen to sustain two adults.

Several attempts have been made to persuade the local municipality to change these plans, but to no avail. We therefore appeal to our fellow citizens of EUROPE to help us make this plea reach the municipality's ears LOUDER and CLEARER.

PLEASE HELP US SAVE THESE TREES.