The World Needs More Tree Huggers
2020-07-26
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2Trees give so much to the world.
3They create carbon dioxide and shade.
4They provide shelter to animals and insects.
5Trees are also a valuable resource.
6The wood they provide is used for buildings and other products we humans use and need.
7Trees are so important that some people have made it their goal to protect them.
8We (can) call these people "tree huggers."
9Word experts say this term first appeared in the 1900s.
10It describes people who support the protection of forests and oppose logging - the act of cutting down trees in an area for their wood.
11Today, the term "tree hugger" describes a person who is an environmentalist.
12They want to protect nature and the environment - but not just the trees.
13Someone who wants to save a rare butterfly species or cut greenhouse gases could also be described as a tree hugger.
14Calling someone a "tree hugger" is not always seen as a compliment.
15In earlier times, in fact, it was used as an insult.
16"Tree hugger" described someone who was seen as extreme, someone who was overly concerned about protecting trees, animals and other parts of the natural world.
17Some tree huggers do go to extremes to protect trees.
18Take, for example, a woman name Julia Lorraine Hill.
19She is also known as Julia "Butterfly" Hill.
20She is an American environmental activist.
21For 738 days from December 10, 1997 and December 18, 1999, Hill lived in tree.
22But not just any tree.
23She lived in Luna, a Redwood tree in northern California's Humboldt County.
24Luna is huge, measuring nearly 61 meters tall and about 12 meters across.
25The ancient redwood has stood in Humboldt County for more than 1,000 years.
26But that did not stop the Pacific Lumber Company from wanting to cut it down.
27So, Hill did what any extreme tree hugger would - she moved in!
28Hill lived in the tree for just over two years.
29The Sanctuary Forest website explains that she only came down from the tree when the Pacific Lumber Company agreed to protect Luna with a special conservation agreement.
30As the website explains, Hill's main goal was "to bring international attention to the importance of protecting and restoring natural resources."
31So, we can safely call Hill a tree hugger. And I'm sure that she would consider that the highest of compliments.
32And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories.
33Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo!
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2Trees give so much to the world. They create carbon dioxide and shade. They provide shelter to animals and insects. 3Trees are also a valuable resource. The wood they provide is used for buildings and other products we humans use and need. 4Trees are so important that some people have made it their goal to protect them. We (can) call these people "tree huggers." 5Word experts say this term first appeared in the 1900s. It describes people who support the protection of forests and oppose logging - the act of cutting down trees in an area for their wood. 6Today, the term "tree hugger" describes a person who is an environmentalist. They want to protect nature and the environment - but not just the trees. Someone who wants to save a rare butterfly species or cut greenhouse gases could also be described as a tree hugger. 7Calling someone a "tree hugger" is not always seen as a compliment. In earlier times, in fact, it was used as an insult. "Tree hugger" described someone who was seen as extreme, someone who was overly concerned about protecting trees, animals and other parts of the natural world. 8Some tree huggers do go to extremes to protect trees. Take, for example, a woman name Julia Lorraine Hill. She is also known as Julia "Butterfly" Hill. She is an American environmental activist. 9For 738 days from December 10, 1997 and December 18, 1999, Hill lived in tree. But not just any tree. She lived in Luna, a Redwood tree in northern California's Humboldt County. 10Luna is huge, measuring nearly 61 meters tall and about 12 meters across. The ancient redwood has stood in Humboldt County for more than 1,000 years. But that did not stop the Pacific Lumber Company from wanting to cut it down. 11So, Hill did what any extreme tree hugger would - she moved in! 12Hill lived in the tree for just over two years. The Sanctuary Forest website explains that she only came down from the tree when the Pacific Lumber Company agreed to protect Luna with a special conservation agreement. 13As the website explains, Hill's main goal was "to bring international attention to the importance of protecting and restoring natural resources." 14So, we can safely call Hill a tree hugger. And I'm sure that she would consider that the highest of compliments. 15And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. 16Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo! 17Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. At the end of the program, Ken Medema sings "The Tree Song." 18________________________________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20species - n. biology : a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants : a group of related animals or plants that is smaller than a genus 21compliment - n. a remark that says something good about someone or something 22activist - n. a person who uses or supports strong actions (such as public protests) to help make changes in politics or society 23lumber - n. wooden boards or logs that have been sawed and cut for use 24restore - v. to put or bring back to an earlier or original state 25conservation - n. the protection of animals, plants, and natural resources