Highland schools plant trees for every new pupil

Green-fingered pupils at several schools are supporting efforts by Highland Council to cut carbon emissions by planting trees.

Over the course of a year, pupils and staff at Croy, Ardersier, Balloch, Duncan Forbes, Culloden and Smithton primaries planted 172 trees between them, representing each P1 pupil who started in 2019.

Reducing carbon emissions can be done through offsetting, which can be achieved by exporting renewable energy and, for example, planting woodland.

Chairwoman of Highland Council’s climate change working group, Councillor Trish Robertson, said: "Trees are amazing. When a tree breathes, it inhales carbon dioxide and exhales oxygen — the exact opposite of humans.

"And as a tree matures, it can consume 48lbs of carbon dioxide per year (among other greenhouse gases like ozone) and release enough oxygen for you to breathe for two years."

She added: "Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen, which helps limit global warming, providing for a cleaner, healthier climate."

Trees also provide windbreaks around buildings to reduce heat loss, lowering heating costs and energy consumption.

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