The broadleaf trees look lifeless, but appearances can be deceiving. The aspen has a striking white bark, but the younger trees tend to have a greenish tinge thanks to the chloroplasts buried in the inner layer. When sunlight enters the thin outer bark, it can help with photosynthesis by allowing carbon dioxide and oxygen gases to pass in and out. In winter, the tree can supplement its food reserves.
The bark of beech or silver Birch can be penetrated by the sun if there is enough chlorophyll for photosynthesis. Even in the thick bark of other trees, light can still penetrate through cracks even if the bark is craggy or smooth. The leaf buds and twigs of many trees can make food by photosynthesis, even if only for a week or two before the buds open, a welcome boost just as spring gets going.
An erosion of democratic values. Climate emergency. Racist inequality. The right to vote has been curbed. There is pay inequality. America is in a fight. We are raising money to report in 2022. Please make a year-end gift today.
The Guardian US has brought an international lens to its coverage of America. More than 1.5 million readers from 180 countries have recently taken the step to support the Guardian financially, keeping us open to all and fiercely independent. We couldn't do this without you.
We can set our own agenda and provide trustworthy journalism that is free from commercial and political influence, offering a counterbalance to the spread of misinformation. We can investigate and challenge without fear or favour. It is reader support that makes our journalism possible and gives us the emotional support and motor energy to keep doing journalism that matters.
Guardian journalism is available for everyone to read, even if they can't afford it. We believe in information equality. Greater numbers of people can keep track of global events, understand their impact on people and communities, and become inspired to take meaningful action.
We want readers to have a comprehensive, international perspective on critical events shaping our world. We decided to stop advertising from fossil fuel companies, and to set a course to achieve net zero emissions by the year 2030.
Our journalism is powered by every contribution and sustains our future. It only takes a minute to support the Guardian. Thank you.
I should remind myself on New Year's Eve.
