When we become aware of the sensitivity and intelligence of plants, we will look at them differently. In the meantime, we have to work hard on that road and on cleaning.

The consequences of our ignorance and division are the most suffered by the trees of the cities. In the opinion of the majority, trees have a mere aesthetic function in the vicinity of the houses. To a crowd they seem to be creators of “dirt”: they throw leaves, seeds, fruits, branches... There are also those who believe that there are criminals and whistle-blowers in the trap when they see that with their roots they swirl sidewalks.

However, according to a study carried out in California, trees contribute, among other aspects, an important economic benefit to municipalities and the citizens who care for them. These euro data are: energy savings in cooling and heating systems, 90.70 million; rain mitigation, 37.21 million; air pollution cleaning, 16.27 million; carbon accumulation, 9.25 million. To this must be added the value it adds to the houses around them: 752.22 million. The sum is simple: EUR 905,65 million No eta to onura. For every four inhabitants, they have a street tree, in total, 9.1 million trees. But they also have room to plant another sixteen million. With those who currently have the benefit of each tree is EUR 100.

I will try to bring that economic benefit to Donostia. It has about 150,000 trees – streets, parks and forests – and about 185,000 inhabitants. If we admit that the favor a tree generates in California and the one it can do in San Sebastian can be similar, those 150,000 trees would represent a net dividend of EUR 15 million for San Sebastián and the Donostiarras. For each Donostia, 81 euros. Bad!

The 144,000 trees in Pamplona donate more money than the Sanfermines to each of the 196,000 inhabitants of the city.

That related to the pure euro is a more “dirty” way of looking at trees, but, if it is for your benefit, go ahead!