engleski

“Tree Hugging” – Ecological Fanaticism, Affectation or Re-Discovered Ancient Wisdom

Today, forests cover a third of the land area of Croatia and gather around 260 native species of woody plants in total of the estimated 2, 347, 630, 080 trees or 554 trees per capita. The importance of trees stems from the fact that a tree’s breathing consumes carbon dioxide and reduces the negative human carbon footprint, thereby purifying the air by absorbing harmful substances, reducing noise, reducing the outside temperature by evaporating moisture, protecting soil from erosion and the loss of fertile soil by roots. In the last 2, 000 years, man has destroyed almost half of the total biomass on Earth, of which ten percent has been in the last hundred years. From 2000 to 2012, the world is poorer for 230 million hectares of forests, i.e. every minute, every day for 12 years, forest areas in the size of 50 football fields were lost, on average 10, 000, 000, 000 trees per year. The loss of each tree is also the death of a living creature, which, according to Wohlleben, has feelings, emotions and memories, which is compassionate, i.e. cares for its offspring, and loves and cares for the elderly and helpless trees. For man, even a stay in a forest community is extremely useful especially for mental health because it improves concentration, reduces depression and calms. Forest baths or shinrin- yoku are not only a fashionable trend in Japan, where people enjoy casual forest walks, where they, through walking, recreation or rest, enjoy mental and spiritual relaxation, as well as the inhalation of volatile essential oils of trees. Research supports the claims of shinrin- yoku’s benefits and has shown that exposure to nature creates a soothing neuropsychological effect ; among other things it reduces the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, etc. By touching trees, man re-realises the primordial connection with nature described in many animistic religions, but also Taoism which sees trees as spiritually advanced plants in constant meditation, with inherent subtle energy. With fully engaged hugging of trees, children become happier, more peaceful, more concentrated, more attracted to the world around them, full of positive thoughts and impressions, gaining knowledge of diversity in nature. Elderly people recover from illness, maintain their vitality and good mood, while working adults can find space and time to relax and reflect on their real needs and priorities in nature. By hugging trees, fighters for planetary salvation often try to prevent ecocide carried out in the name of neo-liberal progress, growth and development using their own bodies. “Tree hugging” therefore becomes a healing act that heals the body and the soul ; it also promotes and rescues the Planet. By incorporating tree hugging in preschool and school children education, we create a powerful platform for the development of ecological awareness and encourage the development of happier and respected individuals who may be the change we want to see in the world – before it is too late.

forest ; deforestation ; tree hugging ; forest baths ; shinrin-yoku ; alternative medicine

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