As I walk down the narrow gravel path through this forest, I reminisce. I can almost hear
the rustling of the leaves beneath my feet after each step. The wind blowing through the branches
of the tall trees, swaying them back and forth. Hearing a small chirp from a bird, hidden high up
in the canopy of leaves. Taking deep breaths of the fresh, crisp air as I hike along the winding path.
Beams of light, shimmering down through the leaves, intensifying the brilliant green that surrounds
me. I see two squirrels chasing each other, bouncing from tree to tree, then disappearing up into
the branches rusting the leaves behind them. The aroma of the cedar trees with the subtle floral
scent of the wildflowers that line the path fills my nose. The snap of a branch in the distance and
looking over to find a deer staring back at me then continuing its way through the dense vegetation.
The babbling and sloshing of a nearby creek that is just out of sight. Down through the canopy, a
brilliant yellow butterfly flutters down and lands on a nearby flower to rest for a second. As I
continue on my way, I brush past a tree covered in pillowy moss, and the butterfly flutters past me
and back up toward the sky.
At the end of the path I reach my destination, the control box for the carbon capture trees I
was instructed to turn back on. As I return to reality, a chilling breeze passes, sending shivers
across my back. The metal box creaks as it opens, I then sigh and flip the switch. The green light
flickers on, and the buzzing and whirling begins. A previous lush forest that was abundant with
life, is now a space full of grey, cold, metal machines, trying to replicate the functions of the trees.
It is the year 2102. Natural forests no longer exist on our planet. The spaces where trees
and other vegetation used to grow is either barren wasteland or being used as a site for these
machines. The machines were made to look like a forest instead of a building, attempting to mimic
the look of nature I suppose. But this is no forest. A forest is something that should be bursting
with life. The home for various plants, insects, fungi, and animals. But all of that has disappeared.
These so-called forests are lifeless. All the times I have had to come in here, I have never seen any
signs of life. No greenery, no birds chirping, no rustling of leaves, no squirrels bouncing around,
no delightful or calming scents or sounds, and no butterflies. Although these machines may
replicate the ability of trees to remove carbon from the atmosphere, they certainly do not resemble
trees in any other way.
I take a breath then head back down the gravel path, surrounded by metal and the buzzing
noise of the machines, trying to imagine the flourishing forest that once lived here.
