and green roofs, and let's tread more lightly on the earth. Let's plant more trees.

The next time you question the cost of a single tree, consider all the work that tree can do. It removes pollutants from the air. It shades buildings and protects them from direct winds. It treats and manages storm water, protects children from exposure to the sun, and provides a roost for birds. Plant the tree.

Our world faces, for the first time in remembered history, an environmental crisis of monumental proportion. If you don't know this, you are not paying attention. While we may not fully understand the consequences of our consumptive habitats and demands, we now know that the greenhouse effect is scientific truth, not speculation. Plant the tree.

Albert Einstein said, “Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means.” To this end, my footprint in this world keeps shrinking. My family and I take recycling very seriously. The Huber home has a new kitchen with recycled glass and concrete counters, linoleum flooring, and Energy Star appliances. We were even honored by the EPA’s “Change the World, Start with Energy Star” campaign which recognized families who had taken steps to cut down energy costs by using appliances and equipment that consume less energy. We are mindful of how our actions affect our planet, and we make choices that best serve the environment and the people, animals and plants living here.

Plant the tree.